doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Advice please! Non Collector MAY be ready to sell!

How true!.....I have several picked out....and they are not the more expensive firearms, but the ones that I can remember him holding and telling the stories about....there is a flintlock double rifle by Ezekiel Baker that states on the barrells "Gunmaker to His Majesty" (in gold leaf) that he loved to hold and clean...all the time wondering where it had been and who may have held it prior.....

I have a similar memory regarding the double shotgun that was always referred to as "The DuPont" gun....actually the "E" grade Fox by The Philadelphia Gun Co. (I think)....known as such to us because of the gold signed trigger guard ~ "P.F. DuPont".....and then I would be reminded that he was one of THE DuPonts and that "the DuPont family just might want this gun back someday".....
.....I know that there were other stories, but I was too young and too busy with other things to make the time to listen....and then he had a stroke in 1993 and then his interest in the guns was gone....learning to walk and speak again became much more important...of course!!

There is a single barrel Dickson shotgun that is very light, about 6 lbs. I think, that has the Crest of The Chisolm Clan (not sure who they were but I have always imagined them to be a Scottish family of some means) that I have always liked.....and then the double barrel flintlock shotgun (cased) by William Smith has also been one of my favs to admire and hold....and you have to remember that I am not a hunter or a shooter, so my affinity for any of them comes from a different place than those folks (I would think)....

As an art collector (another of my Uncle's passions), it seems that the workmanship on most of these firearms lends itself to that category....and then they ALL become "keepers" in my eye....

But to address the other part of your original comment....I truly think that Unk would want me to get these wonderful examples of art, history and the best gun making skills, into true collectors and shooters hands....to be admired, enjoyed and shot as they were intended....rather than have them to continue to languish here in the safe....

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions!

VaCollector-

I am thinking (hoping?) we are relatives. Share the goodies! In all seriousness, you have a fantastic collection. Your photobucket album will likely turn many grown men into something like a giddy teen drooling over a Victoria's Secret catalog.

Best of luck to you.

Alex

I think you have taken the first step by posting your intent and collection. I have purchased from both auction house and directly from an individual. I think it is advatageous for a buyer and seller to interact if possible. The auction house makes money on both ends and the difference between what the buyer pays and the seller receives is a considerable amount, in the realm of 30%, give or take 5% or so. I would be interested in your Holland rifle, if in fact you decide to sell it.

Hello - including the FOX - what American shotguns do you have?
that is what I would like. tell me more about the FOX
thanks
Tony

VaCollector,
You have a wonderful collection of firearms. You have been given some great advice on how to liquidate. There are a number I would love to own as many others on this board have also stated.
While there are many dealers and auction houses to chose from, picking one or two is not easy. One way to educate yourself and to meet a number of these people would be to attend a prominent gun show such as the Antique Arms show in Las Vegas. It starts Jauary 18th and runs for three days. You would find many examples similar to yours and can get an idea of what the asking price is (sometimes much different than the selling price). You could ask all the questions you wanted and see and feel the enthusiasm of the crowd. You may even change your mind and want to keep your collection! Good luck on whatever direction you go. Keep us posted.
Chris

Nice stuff!

That Dickson hammergun looks real nice. If you decide to sell the guns yourself, please let me know.

I'll find a way to afford that gun.

Good luck.

OWD

And Capt Curl has a nice site and some great guns. He knows his stuff. The only problem with him is this friend he has who won't sell a certain Belgian sidelock to me.

Mr. ChiefShotgun:


I concur for the most part on your response and only suggested Charlton Hall Auction, in conjunction with Dig & Hermann, as another opinion in the quest from additional opinions.

Ha, Ha, Ha, :). Not to hijack this thread or to distract from this wonderful collection, and this being my last post on this thread regarding Charlton Hall Auction house: whether pass or fail, win or lose, make it or not, I wish to be considered a “supporter” of the Charlton Hall Auction house in their venture. And if indeed they do make it, then so much the better. Seeing that you intend to put a numeric value on the number of “supporters”, then for me and me only, please have the decency to refer to me in name :).

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

VaCollector: If you inherited the guns upon your uncle's death, then you enjoy the step-up in basis referred to by an earlier poster. If, however, your uncle simply gave you the guns prior to his death (and there is room for argument about what constitutes "giving" you the guns, constructive receipt and all that), then there may be some lingering gift tax issues to deal with. Either way, you or the estate may need a contemporaneous appraisal as of the time you received the guns, either to establish gift tax liabilities or to establish your stepped-up basis in these guns. Absent fraud, the statute may have already run on the gift tax question. The value of the collection seems to be such that you need the best advisors available, both on tax matters and on the possible sale of the collection.

Looks like high quality 1820ish piece. Sadly there is nothing I can do with that gun. Who do you think I am Lt. Col. Peter Hawker?