The dust has settled after the Charlton Hall auction in South Carolina and the decision to replicate the event next year in December has been confirmed.
Charlton Hall have asked me to act as a consultant and help with valuations and collections of firearms in the UK again. They have also asked me to come over to Columbia in June or July to give a talk and hold an open 'free valuataion and appraisal' day for anyone who wants to bring in a British gun - either with a mind to consigning for the sale or just out of curiosity.
For consigned guns, Charlton Hall are offering to pay 40% of the agreed low estimate on any guns taken in as a cash-up-front payment. The balance of the achieved price to be payed after the sale, as usual.
The buyer's commission charged will be 15%, as opposed to 20% by most London auctioneers and 25% by Christies. Once VAT has been paid, the figure is more like 22% and 27% on each London sale.
The idea is to have an auction in the US that is like a standard British gun auction. There will be guns of all qualities and conditions across the price spectrum but all the guns offered will have barrels that measure 'in-proof' unless described as 'stock-action and forend' only.
Getting such a venture moving and gaining momentum is a difficult task and will take time. It needs to establish itself as a 'must-go' venue for the gun dealers and collectors within a day's travel, as well as local enthusiasts.
To make it worth the trip, they will need to collect a lot of guns and accessories. They are starting now and intend to have around 300 guns plus accessories catalogued by September 1st in order that buyers can see, consider and ask for reports on all the lots well in advance. They also plan to have a fully illustrated and photographed on-line catalogue and on-line bidding facility.
I think this is a brave and useful ambition and I wish them well with it. The attendance and interest levels of their first sale were indicative of a huge well of local enthusiasm and some people had travelled over 1000 miles to attend.
They now need to make sure they can delver a great sale next year.
