doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What's the least expensive "best gun"?

And shouldn't it go without saying that a best gun, when built, may not necessarily be a best gun today?

What level of deterioration in condition renders a best no longer a best?

SRH

14115 - (1864?)
Name: E.M Reilly (nothing further - no photos, etc)
Descriptions: Underlever hammer double; 29 1/2" fancy damascus barrels aged brown with lots of original pattern. Very good bore with a couple of scattered pits. Best quality jones under lever action
Comment:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=528802164#PIC

Link is out: Here is original ad and photos:
E. M. Reilly underlever hammer double

29 1/2" fancy damascus barrels aged brown with lots of original pattern. Very good bore with a couple of scattered pits. Best quality jones under lever action with top quality engraving, tall hammers and carved fences. Locks up tight and on face. LOP is 15" to the original horn buttplate. Drop is 1 3/4" and 2 3/4". Classic 1880's gun from a highly respected maker. �
Started at��
$3,200.00
Characteristics for Item # 528802164�
Manufacturer:� Other Manufacturer
Model:� Other Model
Barrel Length:� 29 inch
Gauge:� 12
Capacity:� 2



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21339 (second of a pair)
Name: E.M. Reilly & Co., Oxford Street, London
Description: 12-bore hammer gun. Engraved '2' on the rib and triggerguard tang, Jones patent rotary-underlever, rebounding sidelocks, best foliate-scroll engraving, well-figured stock with recoil-pad, the damascus barrels with game-rib. Weight 6lb. 13oz., 15in. pull (14�in stock), 30in. barrels, both approx. I.C., 2�in. chambers, London nitro proof.
�..Comment: Based on serial number likely numbered in 1878.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21659/lot/53/



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34572 -
Name: E.M Reilly & Co. (full address not mentioned in ad or photos)
Descriptions: E.M. Reilly & Co. 12 g. BEST Side lock ejector with 30� Damascus barrels; 2 1/2 chamber.
Comment: Classic side panels.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100601796

Link doesn't work any more: here is original ad and pictures:

E.M. Reilly & Co. 12 g. BEST Side lock with beautiful Damascus barrels! Sale Price! Barg
Description:
Stocked to the fences this London best sidelock is striking in its wood, engraving, and beautiful Damascus pattern.
Price: $6,600.00

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: E.M. Reilly & Co. 12 g. BEST Side lock with beautiful Damascus barrels! Sale Price! Barg
Serial Number: 34572
Ejectors: No
Barrels: 30
Barrel Type: Damascus
Action: Sidelock ejector
Gauge: 12 gauge
Stock Comb: 1 1/2
Stock Heel: 2 1/2
Stock Cast: 1/4
LOP: 14 3/4" (with 14 9/1
Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz.
Choke Left: .025 full
Choke Right: Cyl.
Proof:Black: 2 1/2
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: .024
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: .025



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34865 -
Name: E.M Reilly & Co., 277 New Oxford St. London (photos are hazy but pretty sure)
Descriptions: A best E M Reilly , London 12 bore boxlock ejector (BLE) side by side shotgun , double triggers , chequered straight hand figured walnut stock with teardrops , matched extension , vacant silver lozenge and chequered butt . The action , tang , top lever, flat rib , trigger guard and push - rod mount decorated with fine border and foliate scroll engraving . 30" nitro proof steel barrels with doll's head extension and 2 3/4" chambers.
Comment:
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/aucti...9a-a44a00e4518e

No not at all, current condition has zero to do with original build quality. Both need to be considered before you throw your money down and both contribute to the guns current value but a best is always a best and a second quality gun no matter how high of condition it may be in will always be second quality. Condition and quality are apples and oranges.

I'll accept that explanation, Steve.

But, is it really sensible that a gun that is literally trashed, and not worth restoring, is still a best gun just because it was when it was built? Does poor condition not affect quality at some point? I don't mean the original quality, I mean the current quality.

Not arguing, just trying to understand.

SRH

Best is a grade of gun, say similar to a Fox DE grade. Is there a point a DE grade is no longer worth restoring? You betcha, but it will always be a DE no matter its condition. Would a high condition AE grade serve you better than a clapped out DE? Indeed it would. But that A will never be a D grade. Condition and original quality both matter a whole bunch but they a very different critters.

On Argo's post, only the Bonham's gun link is working for me.

That helps, Steve. Thanks.

SRH

I agree with that.

You can also get them with compressed steel barrels, like this one:

http://merzantiques.com/item/12-gauge-ch...ejector-double-

I have bought my first Double Gun Journal ca. 1991 and have been playing this game for long time. I would modify that VB and enjoy it by putting money into hunting opportunities instead of trying to find 'best gun' SLE from England. Buying 'best gun' will be expensive because it will entail buying double with either H&H or Beesley actioned "self-opening" gun (mechanism cocks on closing making it easy to open but harder to close) or their clone made elsewhere.

+1 for SKB. These are two of the three factors that determine a gun's likely value; the third being Brand Value.

For use of my tables, you must still learn to evaluate Original Quality and Current Condition.

DDA