Geez, I'm sorry I opened this part of the thread! I shoot to relax and collect for the same reason. I am passionate about my guns, but recognize that this passion should be reined in when it starts to get personal. This thread has turned in that direction, and perhaps we should just agree to disagree?

I will, however, stand by my observation that H&H and Purdeys and a few other British "top" makers, especially post WWI, are priced in the stratosphere and out of proportion to other contemporary makers. That is not shocking to me since in many areas, you may pay for 'the name' and pay more than you would for another product equally well built or functional. I also agree that many top guns may sell 'off line' and not in auction or at a website. I have been collecting Sharps for many years and virtually all of the finest Sharps in top condition are sold by owners to other long-standing collectors or through dealers who have sold them to the seller and know other long-standing collectors who are a ready market. I have acquired several very nice doubles in this fashion, a call from another collector or a call from a dealer who gets a call from a client who wants to sell a rifle he bought from the dealer back and now asks him to find it 'a new home.'

Dave