SaxonPig - Ooops! No personal slight intended.

But do I have strong opinions about Coggie’s? Yes I do, and if one can’t air them on an Internet Forum, then where? What do you want this to be, a venue for a bunch of backslapping “good ole boys”. Believe me, the standard of debate on forums elsewhere on the Internet is somewhat more robust than my contribution here.

Besides, I don’t think that one has ownership of a thread? If the “moderators” want to lay down any rules along these lines, then so be it!

As for C&H guns, at a period in history when English Gunmakers adopted “Best Practice”, in other words, a “no-compromise” attitude to quality in their “Best” guns, C&H were a standout in selling less than that, while still representing them as “Bests”.

Yes, other Gunmakers made guns of lesser quality, but this was clearly stated, even to the point of describing them as Class A, B, C, D, etc. Rigby and Purdey being names that spring to mind.

All this has a bearing on perceived values in the modern context. Since you did not state the Grade/Model of your rifle, any attempt at estimating a value would be futile, since you can only benchmark off what other similar guns have been selling for.

Also, you were not totally clear about the chambering. .375 calibre, whether the Flanged Magnum or the earlier 21/2" "non-magnum" are comparatively rare chamberings in English Doubles, leaving aside both cartridges originator, Holland & Holland. Accordingly, valuing it is bound to be fraught with difficulty. That’s why I offered no opinion on it’s value, but make no mistake, it’s not a Holland & Holland Royal grade.

Anyway, I was directing my comment to 465holland's post - the issue of C&H "quality" was raised there! Whether you seek to adopt a "head in the sand" approach to these issues is up to you, but I'm sure that the other members are open to opinion from all quarters and that they can decide on the merits of any argument for themselves.