doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Barrel Sleeving - Case Study

Brent,
Nice presentation picture of your Merkel, nicely composed.
Karl

Brent�D, the real point is that this is not a true BV1 gun. It�s a Birmy gun with a BV1 retailers name on it. Buy the gun, not the name on it. They did not make this, they only retailed it. At best they bought it in the white. They sent it out for engraving like every other maker. Might have finished it or might have done nothing on it at all. Proof marks might tell. So why pay Bobcat prices for that Pinto? Never figured Bobcat bragging rights were that important.

This is exactly what Rocketman's charts demonstrate so accurately....the premium people are willing to pay to have the "name" on the gun. As people everywhere are willing to pay extra to have any "brand" name on a product. Not unique to guns.

The problem many here don't seem to understand is that members here represent a tiny portion of the market and one that is substantially better educated than most buyers. We don't "need" the brand name to identify a well made gun. We can use our eyes. Not true for many others who need the stamp of approval a recognized brand name conveys.

I shoot with a couple close friends on occasion. Members of a private high end preserve. Gun room is filled with "brand names". Few of the members can tell you what specifically makes their gun cost what it does, save the makers name.

Thank you for pointing out my error. "Stubs" is probably the better term for me to have used. Also it probably would have been better if I had used the term tubes lieu of barrels as it is more common term among those of us who have sleeved barrel sets.

Trousers.....

canvas, I think we like to knock folks that can spend that much on a "name" but again, you aren't shooting a just as effective Remington Express, are you?

I was swapping notes with another member recently and he mentioned how extractor guns take a hit for lacking ejectors but he didn't really care one way or the other about ejectors vs extractors. Nor do I. And I have heard the same from almost every shooter of vintage doubles that I've ever met. But we all know that ejector guns bring a substantial premium to the table. Ditto the boxlock vs. side locks.

So we all have things we claim are falsely valued based on our own willingness to pay for them. But, were we to inherit such BV1, sidelock gun, or an ejector gun, I am sure that, if we were honest, we would all expect to be paid those premium values if we sold it.

I'll still say that the gun in question, well sleeved, will easily sell for more than it would cost to buy it and do the work.

Brent, perhaps you misunderstand me. I�m not knocking anyone. Just pointing out human behaviour.

Both in the propensity of those who can afford to pay for the name rather than spend the time learning and for those like us, motivated to learn what makes a gun �good� and to look for the gems that give us the quality while saving the brand name premium.

That said when it�s time to sell, of course we want to get the market price. Just as when we are buying we want to undercut the market price.

canvas, don't know many people that own what Rocketman calls BV1 guns, but those that do know exactly what they are talking about and they know guns very, very well. I don't knock folks as being ignorant because their guns are high grade. Ever. 'cuz they ain't.

This whole thread is very disingenuous.

Kirk Merrington's price for sleeving is $1900 plus tubes (http://www.merringtongun.com). Of course sleeving a gun in the states will take it out of proof unless you pay another expense for sending back to England. Dig Haddoke estimates �1500-3000 for sleeving in England (https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/articles/thin-barrels/).

Although the Woodward may have been built by a Birmingham maker, there will be some additional brand value for the Woodward name. An H&H boxlock made by Webley and Scott will bring a premium over the same boxlock being sold by Webley and Scott. I guess people are willing to pay more for the H&H BLE because of some perceived quality control over the standard W&S boxlock.

Rocketman used a BLE for this s example and most people wouldn't spend the money for sleeving a boxlock.

Ken

After looking around the net at various well known and not so well known dealers, that gun at $1000, sleeved for $3500, cannot be beat. You guys may not buy, and I certainly couldn't, but the value is definitely there relative to what else is out there. $4500 Woodward Boxlocks and similar are nowhere to be seen. Comparable guns are at least 50% more. And up.