doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Morphy auction prices / results

It's time to face reality

The vast majority of people under 65 in the United States with disposable cash have a firm conviction that shooting birds is ugly, cruel and barbaric. They would gladly see hunting banned and most of them have a strong antipathy towards guns of all kind.

I am an exception insofar as I am a professional in my early 60's and I like guns. And even though I don't hunt it does not bother me that others do.

Several years ago I bought a very nice original condition field grade 12 gauge Winchester 21 for about $2,700 to round out my Winchester accumulation: Model 70 rifle, Model 97 riot gun and Model 21 SXS.



But that Model 21 scratched my itch for a vintage SXS, and I cannot see myself paying upwards of $3,000 for any vintage double, especially in a falling market with no bottom in sight.

On the other hand, two years ago I was delighted to spend just under $400 for a magnificent Remington 17:

and last week I got an excellent 20. gauge Remington 31 for the princely sum of $690.

Another uplifting link for those discouraged by the market for fine English guns from Nick Holt:

Nick Holt Sept 2020 Auction

A few statistics from the sale:

Reserve 1.1M Sterling
Hammer 1.5M sterling
84% sell-thru
68% First time bidders

Now that last statistic is probably the most hopeful. New buyers coming into the fine gun market for the first time is what the trade needs. I find that quite encouraging.

I have quite a few new clients that are importing guns for the first time, a surprising number actually. While my overhead has skyrocketed due to increased freight costs, things have still been profitable due to the increased volume. I think the fine gun market was in need of a correction, sales remain strong on high quality items but at a decreased dollar amount while average condition/quality items really need to be priced to move in this market.

Nothing quite like the smell of rOtten fish....

Then take a shower Bozo.