Although I don't regard Ed as a "dealer I would like to deal with", he is the only poster besides myself that expresses doubt about used English guns because of the bad behavior of English gunsmiths. Way to go, Ed. Tell it like it is.
Ummm, anybody who has bought and sold more than a handful of English guns knows this well. It is not a secret.
The same can be said for American guns though. You should have seen the high grade, small bore LeFever I had in a while back that was restored by a "Master Gunsmith", that gun had more epoxy than wood in the stock but it sure was pretty from a distance.
Learn the subject which you seek to purchase, buy one with low mileage and consult a professional before you finalize the deal. It is not nearly as complicated as you make it seem. A client recently snapped up an amazing Purdey self opener built in the early 30's. He saw the condition, knew exactly what he was looking at, had it sent to me for inspection and left my shop a very happy man.
