Interesting thread. There are a few things that will need to be at place for a gun to be an investment. and when I think of investment i think of pure money. First is time, and then of course condittion of the gun. I have two excamlpes I found two guns for Holts and one was a H&W falling block made in early 80s it was a fantastic piece in unbeleavable condittion. I called m friend who is the barrelmaker and actioner at H&W and i found out that the the gun had trippled in value in 20 years. and a new one today was 5 or 6 times of what he then payed for it. Another was a Boss O/U 12 B (i know, its not a rifle) This one was also in mint condittion and practicly unshot. this one is doubled in value in 10 years. Another thing to look for is provenance. THis is also very valuable too the gun. The James Sutherland 577 Westley was estimated to 12-16000Ł but sold for 60.000Ł two years ago. what would this one go for today if it came up for sale again?? If it was mine I would not let it go for less han 80K buts that is because I think with the heart.
It is referaead to the THe queens 400 Purdey earler, wich is a realy realy nice gun, whom I have handled several times and is probably one of the best and beautifull guns I have ever handled, What is this gun's worth? And I see that some people here slag off Purdey Rifles. they are heavy yes, but they are not that hard to close, this is al about practice. and you realy gain time saved with the self opener. I know of some of the realy big gun colletors who collect new stuff from the big houses. One of these hunts a lot wth them and uses only Purdey rifles. and since Purdey rifles is so rare it makes itself an investment as well.

For an investment in 70K$ mark its hard to say what to get, but I am inclined to go with generalwar on a new WR. Otherwise for secound hand I would goo for a good condittion as pos Purdey or H&H. If you manage to get hold of one, and it is within you limit H&W is also good investment.