The Louisville show was one of my favorites, for many years. I was at a table, looking for a nice double, when a fellow walked up with an “old” fox 20 bore. Asked the dealer for a value. Told $1300-1400. It was an AE grade. Owner almost made the sale but decided to come back later. I bumped into him on the next row. Asked him how much he wanted? Hoping to get $2,000 he said. Looked at the gun and it was a 90% gun. Not perfect, but a real nice shooter. Told him I’d take it at that price. He told me he had a LOM case for it if I wanted it. I love LOM cases.
Went with him to his car and when he open the trunk he had two LOM cases. Opened one and it had a gun in it still. Closed it and handed me the other which was empty. Of course I had to ask him what was in the other and he said a 16. But he had already walked it around and got only one offer for it. Said he was told 16 gauge were a tough sell. Not to me. It took me a skinny minute to tell him I’d take it as well. We spent all of 10 seconds on price. And I am glad I did. I gave him 4,500 for two guns and cases. This was a little before 2000 and was a fair if not a great price.
My middle son has the 20 and likes it for Dove. My youngest son has the 16. I loaned it to my late father,’who killed 15 dove with 23 shells, when he was 90, with both boys watching him. That gun is priceless to me. I intend to borrow it this year for Dove. I won’t match 15/23 but should be good enough Uncle Juniors .410 Crescent goes opening day and “dad’s” the second day. Got to keep it in the family. My oldest son g target .410 when I pass.
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