The key to success here is, as mentioned above, is if YOU are QULIFIED and you want an old double rifle, then I agree with you. If the buyer is a first time buyer of a double rifle, it is my opinion, that most are NOT qualified enough to make a great buy on a ventage double rifle without a great deal of luck. Addtionally, the first time buyer of a double rifle is rarely informed about the problems that come with the care and feeding of a double rifle, and may soon find he did not make the right choice! In that case he is likely to want to rid himself of what he finds, in his opinion, is that a double rifle is not a well designed system, because he can't make it shoot. NOW! If he has bought a DOG of an old rifle, he will not be able to get his money back unless he can find another un-informed sucker to sell the thing to.

For a guy NEW to double rifles, I reccmend he buy new, and a smaller chambering that he will be able to shoot a lot, and if he decides he is not really a double rifle man, then the rifle is easy to sell, and that sale doesn't have to indicate a loss, because with the popularity of doubles today, even the new ones are increasing in price daily! I have a 9.3X74R Merkel that I paid $4600 usd for new 5 yrs ago, and the same rifle (140E) sells for $8K today easily, because that rifle is no longer imported into the USA, and the Euro/Dollar exchange. I have two Merkel double rifles, and several old Britts, and not one of the Britts shoots better, or anymore dependable than the Merkels!

I agree with your last line indicating a "IF THIS RIFLE COULD TALK" mystque of the old doubles, but thay aren't any better than the new ones from a use perspective!