Thanks, I'll look for proof marks.

I paid $800 or $900 for mine, it was on the lower end of what I've seen. I've seen them priced for $1500 and ~$3000k. In my experience, the hardest part of finding one is knowing what to search for in the auctions. Usually the title will start off with something like "17 lb single shot 16ga". Most folks don't know what they have.

Don't take my make comments for gospel. I have about 4 years of experience knowing what they are and I acquired mine a year ago.