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333Jeffery
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Reged: 21/04/06
Posts: 103
Loc: Florida
Market for Doubles on the Decline?
      #358131 - 15/11/21 06:06 AM

Has the market for double-rifles declined in the last few years? I ask because I have been trying to sell a WW Greener double for a few months now, with few nibbles from potential buyers. Even the retailers like Hallowell and Barnett don't seem too interested. My asking price is fairly low for a nice boxlock in original condition. Just wondering what happened to the market for doubles.

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93x64mm
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 333Jeffery]
      #358132 - 15/11/21 06:59 AM

333Jeffery
I'd try right here mate - at least you are talking to the folks who are most likely to have a crack at something like your piece!
WW Greener's were always well made totally dependable guns, a few photos here & your asking price hopefully will see your double to a new home.


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tinker
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 93x64mm]
      #358134 - 15/11/21 07:05 AM

Definitely post it here.

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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transvaal
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 333Jeffery]
      #358137 - 15/11/21 08:24 AM

Significant decline in value of double rifles over the last 10 years.

In the Holt's auction of June 21, 2021 a like new (made in 1993) Purdey .577NE, engraved by Kelly only brought $82,000.00 plus purchasers fee of 25% which made the total $103,000.00 15 years ago this rifle would have brought a final price of $150,000.00


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3DogMike
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: tinker]
      #358138 - 15/11/21 08:33 AM

333Jeff,
The short answer is yes, the overall double rifle market has been in decline year over year for maybe the last 8 years. A "fairly low" price is ambiguous….if it is priced to current market, it will sell.
That is unless the rifle is a fairly sought after "name" maker in top condition or something like a .577 NE.

Even a very nice boxlock NE from Brit makers does not command a break even price for someone that bought at the peak.

You can see this on your mentioned websites from various sellers as you named having rifles list for months or years and no sale. They bought in fairly high and now can't tolerate taking a loss. Guess they are holding out for a major market comeback.

You can look at Gunbroker, Guns International, and auction results and see what the current averages are running.

This having been said; how about some pictures of your Greener for us to drool over?

- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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333Jeffery
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Loc: Florida
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 3DogMike]
      #358143 - 15/11/21 05:28 PM

This link has the photos of it:https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX7Tbgj

I hope they show up, I'm new to this. flickr album


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Waidmannsheil
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 333Jeffery]
      #358145 - 15/11/21 06:28 PM

Looks very nice indeed, what cartridge is it chambered for.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.


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93x64mm
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #358146 - 15/11/21 10:15 PM

Quote:

Looks very nice indeed, what cartridge is it chambered for.

Matt.




Lovely case hardening & the engraving is superb.
Very nice piece indeed - looks bigger than .375 to me!


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crshelton
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 93x64mm]
      #358151 - 16/11/21 02:43 AM

One thing that attracts attention and prospects is a good picture. This recent picture of my Simson .405 DR is flashy and generated compliments whereas the following photo was largely ignored.


older, dim photo


In fact, the exhibition grade wood was what drew me to the rifle several years ago, that and the caliber. It was a good purchase and I still hunt with the rifle.

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
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Ripp
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: crshelton]
      #358153 - 16/11/21 03:06 AM

Quote:

One thing that attracts attention and prospects is a good picture. This recent picture of my Simson .405 DR is flashy and generated compliments whereas the following photo was largely ignored.


older, dim photo


In fact, the exhibition grade wood was what drew me to the rifle several years ago, that and the caliber. It was a good purchase and I still hunt with the rifle.




VERY good advice... 100% agree.. the old story, a picture is worth a thousand words holds true..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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3DogMike
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #358154 - 16/11/21 03:06 AM

Quote:

Looks very nice indeed, what cartridge is it chambered for.
Matt.




Nice looking rifle.
Looks from the rather struck out/polished barrel inscription that it is a .360 #2 (3"case) ….. 55 Cordite and 320 grain .366"/.367" bullet

A fairly specialized "enthusiast" cartridge these days…….brass made by Bertram, otherwise case forming from .450/.400 3" Jeffery. (depending on rim thickness and base diameter in the chamber)
Proper loading dies could be a rather long wait.

- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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333Jeffery
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 3DogMike]
      #358167 - 16/11/21 08:35 AM

It's in .360 No.2 nitro. I have the reloading dies for it, but no ammo. It has ejectors and bushed strikers.

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HeymSR20
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 333Jeffery]
      #358171 - 16/11/21 10:57 AM

Speaking from this side of the pond, double rifles are always going to be more difficult to sell. Your Greener is a very nice rifle but:

1) 360 No2 whilst a very good cartridge is not a big dangerous game type cartridge. It’s a antelope, deer, wildboar type cartridge. And I don’t think anyone is now making ammo other than Kynoch. It is nominally 9.3 so you can probably use 9.3 bullets.

If it was or had been rechambered to 9.3 x74r then it would be more usable for wildboar etc as ammo is more readily available

2) for its intended use, most nowadays use an optical sight and most buyers would want it scoped.

3) and Greener are no longer in existence so you don’t have any market drive from an ongoing brand.

You also need to factor that for many, the Pandemic has put paid to many hunting adventures, and thus purchase of rifles.

So what you have is a nice double rifle, but most potential buyers these days would struggle to find a use for it, and being a boxlock, it has minimal collector value. If it was a 9.3x74r, 375 h&h, 400 or 470 nitro, then there would be a market.


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LRF
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: HeymSR20]
      #358172 - 16/11/21 12:07 PM

Quote:

Speaking from this side of the pond, double rifles are always going to be more difficult to sell. Your Greener is a very nice rifle but:

1) 360 No2 whilst a very good cartridge is not a big dangerous game type cartridge. It’s a antelope, deer, wildboar type cartridge. And I don’t think anyone is now making ammo other than Kynoch. It is nominally 9.3 so you can probably use 9.3 bullets.

If it was or had been rechambered to 9.3 x74r then it would be more usable for wildboar etc as ammo is more readily available

2) for its intended use, most nowadays use an optical sight and most buyers would want it scoped.

3) and Greener are no longer in existence so you don’t have any market drive from an ongoing brand.

You also need to factor that for many, the Pandemic has put paid to many hunting adventures, and thus purchase of rifles.

So what you have is a nice double rifle, but most potential buyers these days would struggle to find a use for it, and being a boxlock, it has minimal collector value. If it was a 9.3x74r, 375 h&h, 400 or 470 nitro, then there would be a market.




So what is your estimation of value/price?


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3DogMike
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: HeymSR20]
      #358173 - 16/11/21 12:23 PM

Quote:

Speaking from this side of the pond, double rifles are always going to be more difficult to sell. Your Greener is a very nice rifle but:

1) 360 No2 whilst a very good cartridge is not a big dangerous game type cartridge. It’s a antelope, deer, wildboar type cartridge. And I don’t think anyone is now making ammo other than Kynoch. It is nominally 9.3 so you can probably use 9.3 bullets.

If it was or had been rechambered to 9.3 x74r then it would be more usable for wildboar etc as ammo is more readily available

2) for its intended use, most nowadays use an optical sight and most buyers would want it scoped.

3) and Greener are no longer in existence so you don’t have any market drive from an ongoing brand.

You also need to factor that for many, the Pandemic has put paid to many hunting adventures, and thus purchase of rifles.

So what you have is a nice double rifle, but most potential buyers these days would struggle to find a use for it, and being a boxlock, it has minimal collector value. If it was a 9.3x74r, 375 h&h, 400 or 470 nitro, then there would be a market.




very fair and on point synopsis except for:
"..If it was or had been rechambered to 9.3 x74R then it would be more usable…."

The rechamber you envision is not possible as the .360 #2 is a .450/.400 3" Jeffery sized case, much larger diameter than the 9.3x74R.
Yes, the .400/.350 Rigby and those similar, before reintroduced brass and ammo, were redone like that….rebore/rechamber….but the case dimensions were enough alike to get away with it.
- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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mckinney
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 3DogMike]
      #358175 - 16/11/21 03:27 PM

It does seem that double rifle prices are declining. I remember a cased H&H Dominion grade in 500/.465 that was on Mike Schwandt’s website for high 30’s at one point and then later was offered in the low 20’s. I think doubles just got well ahead of themselves on price and now it’s time for a cooling off. The really desirable stuff (peachy vintage Purdey .375 and .465 etc) is probably holding its ground pretty well however.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: mckinney]
      #358176 - 16/11/21 06:13 PM

Sorry, but my opinion. Bloody good if the "market" is declining. Get rid of the investors and viva the users and actual shooters.

Probably due also to lesser economic times.

Nevertheless the still huge prices are beyond most actual users wallets.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
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3DogMike
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: NitroX]
      #358188 - 17/11/21 12:46 AM

Quote:

Sorry, but my opinion. Bloody good if the "market" is declining. Get rid of the investors and viva the users and actual shooters.

Probably due also to lesser economic times.

Nevertheless the still huge prices are beyond most actual users wallets.




+1

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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Yochanan
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 333Jeffery]
      #358207 - 17/11/21 10:52 AM

Your rifle looks like it’s in good condition and the stock got nice wood. I’m sure your double with have potential customers in the collectors and enthusiast segment. I have hunted with people who use doubles frequently on driven hunts for wildboar, deer, moose, bear etc. They are looking for dependable and sound doubles chambered for reasonably easy to obtain ammo calibres.

Regarding old doubles, shotguns and drillings, there been a lot of tired guns that been surfing the wave. Today many look at calibre, condition of action, stock and barrels of used guns. Optics and claw mounts are relatively cheap to have fitted compared to a new stock made for a sidelock gun, barrels sleeving or major action work.

I have seen a 360no2 Scotish double that was converted to 9,3x74r by a gunsmith who lined the chambers and re-chambered but it will ruin the collectors value of your gun.

I know people who sold their big bore doubles after a few big game hunts and got a double in medium calibre for “most of their hunting” 7x57r. 7x65r, 8x57irs, 8x65rs, 30 blaser, 303, 9,3x74r or 375’ and 400’s for big bears, moose etc. I think the prices for old shotguns and doubles been too high for a long time and am happy to see the prices adjust to the market.

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.


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mckinney
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: Yochanan]
      #358217 - 17/11/21 01:02 PM

Doesn’t John Taylor mention using a Farquharson in .360 no 2 to take lion off a cattle ranch he worked on in his early days? I know he mentions the cartridge favorably.

The .360 as loaded by Kynamco pushes a 320 grain bullet around 2200 fps, about the same speed the 9.3 X 62 pushes 286 grains. Seems to me the talk of not enough gun is questionable. I don’t think a lion could tell it wasn’t a .375 H&H. Surely it’s enough gun for anything in North America.

I’d keep the gun and use it as is without destroying the lines (and handling) with claw mounts and telescopic sights. It’s not really meant to be a sniper rifle. It’s a fine and elegant gun in an interesting and adequate caliber if you ask me.


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tinker
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: mckinney]
      #358218 - 17/11/21 02:00 PM

I think that I have missed seeing the price.

Can you post a link to your for sale ad?

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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DarylS
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: mckinney]
      #358219 - 17/11/21 02:21 PM

Quote:

Doesn’t John Taylor mention using a Farquharson in .360 no 2 to take lion off a cattle ranch he worked on in his early days? I know he mentions the cartridge favorably.

The .360 as loaded by Kynamco pushes a 320 grain bullet around 2200 fps, about the same speed the 9.3 X 62 pushes 286 grains. Seems to me the talk of not enough gun is questionable. I don’t think a lion could tell it wasn’t a .375 H&H. Surely it’s enough gun for anything in North America.

I’d keep the gun and use it as is without destroying the lines (and handling) with claw mounts and telescopic sights. It’s not really meant to be a sniper rifle. It’s a fine and elegant gun in an interesting and adequate caliber if you ask me.




Seems to me, that's about all the .333 Jeffery put out, a 300gr. at 2,000fps to 2,200fps. I remember a picture from Taylor's book of a charging lioness hit in the forehead with the 300gr. from the Jeffery round. "The Smash" as he called it.iirc

The 9.3x62 does about 2,320/40fps with the 286gr., soft and solid. That would be the 1925 load. Today, it easily does well over 2,400, but only with handloads. Dimension wise, it is after all, an "improved" case capacity design, way ahead of it's time. From a Mauser factory chamber, mine measure .455" shoulders, .001" over Ackley's .454" shoulders on the standard case, however it is still loaded like a .35 Whelen, which it far out shadows for capacity.

So - that .360 is quite a round indeed. 2,200fps with 320gr. - sounds great to me.


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3DogMike
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: DarylS]
      #358221 - 17/11/21 02:39 PM

Sad fact (for an "investor" type), double rifles have declined in price over the last few years. "If" non major caliber then the decline has been steeper.
Any "collector/investor", as opposed to a true double rifle enthusiast, just needs to accept that sometimes "investments" go South and they will have to sell at a loss?
Seems to me that there is minimal interest in a sale if the rifle in question is not/has not been on GI, or GB, or listed here? Pretty much "double secret probation" if you have to know the expected asking price….
…..has the owner ever even shot it?
- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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500Boswell
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 3DogMike]
      #358228 - 17/11/21 05:06 PM

I think the double fad and novelty has been over for a few years ,or the last ten, its been going downhill ,along with the declining World economy ,the last thing most people need or want, is an expensive double ,nice idea ,but the future for hunting /travel even a job, etc is looking grim, I will most probably lose my job next year to the ''No Stab no Job''.

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crshelton
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 500Boswell]
      #358239 - 18/11/21 01:33 AM

"Get rid of the investors and viva the users and actual shooters."

Indeed!

Both my DRs are actual shooters and not collectors and were purchased to shoot and hunt with and not as investments. My .405 WCF is great for hunting and my .45-70 is presently being readied for a re-regulation to properly handle standard ammo of NF 350 grain SS at 2100 fps. The loaded ammo is impressive and should kick butt on all but the biggest and baddest.

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/


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HeymSR20
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: LRF]
      #358243 - 18/11/21 04:16 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Speaking from this side of the pond, double rifles are always going to be more difficult to sell. Your Greener is a very nice rifle but:

1) 360 No2 whilst a very good cartridge is not a big dangerous game type cartridge. It’s a antelope, deer, wildboar type cartridge. And I don’t think anyone is now making ammo other than Kynoch. It is nominally 9.3 so you can probably use 9.3 bullets.

If it was or had been rechambered to 9.3 x74r then it would be more usable for wildboar etc as ammo is more readily available

2) for its intended use, most nowadays use an optical sight and most buyers would want it scoped.

3) and Greener are no longer in existence so you don’t have any market drive from an ongoing brand.

You also need to factor that for many, the Pandemic has put paid to many hunting adventures, and thus purchase of rifles.

So what you have is a nice double rifle, but most potential buyers these days would struggle to find a use for it, and being a boxlock, it has minimal collector value. If it was a 9.3x74r, 375 h&h, 400 or 470 nitro, then there would be a market.




So what is your estimation of value/price?




Very difficult to say. In the September Holts Auction there was a mint Daniel Fraser Boxlock in 303 that had a hammer price of £7,000 - Lot 1206, and a Heym Boxlock with a pair of 375 H&H and 7x65R barrels all scoped that made £9,500. But the first is from a top end maker in mint condition with real collector value, and the second is a modern double with two sets of barrels that is selling for probably 50% of new price.

Greener's were never top end, rather good solid working rifles, and the rifle in question is a good solid working rifle with honest use. I would suspect if it was put into the Holts Auction I would guess it's guide price would be £3,000 to £5,000 - or possibly lower to get interest. Given that it is in the US where ownership is that much easier, and hence a wider constituency of buyers you might add another $1,000 to that price.

But it would very much be down to whether or not there were buyers after it on the day. The fact that it has dies and cases with it probably adds quite a bit of value - buy it today and I can play with it at the weekend, as opposed to where do I start lookng for dies. Dies may well be only $100 or less, but could be the difference between getting a good price, or not a lot.

Holts Auctioneers have a free valuation service - https://www.holtsauctioneers.com/v_page.html - upload some pictures and see what they say.


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Ripp
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 500Boswell]
      #358246 - 18/11/21 04:54 AM

Quote:

I think the double fad and novelty has been over for a few years ,or the last ten, its been going downhill ,along with the declining World economy ,the last thing most people need or want, is an expensive double ,nice idea ,but the future for hunting /travel even a job, etc is looking grim, I will most probably lose my job next year to the ''No Stab no Job''.




Sad to read of the gov takeover of businesses and the expermimental Rmna shots..Here is the US a Fed judge has put a stay on Biden's Fed order that any company over 100 employees need to get vaccinated.. Was seconded again last Friday by another Fed judge..

In addition many states, All conservative states, have filed a lawsuit against Biden for this mandate.. This is eventually end up in the Supreme Courts lap..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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Vette447
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: crshelton]
      #358258 - 18/11/21 07:02 AM

I am someone who has tried to take advantage of the decline in prices over the last few years being lucky enough to have acquired a handful of nice double rifles by known British makers for prices that I would not have thought possible several years ago. I have stuck to prewar British guns made by major makers (Holland & Holland, Rigby, Westley Richards, Rodda, etc). I really appreciate the history and craftsmanship from the "golden age" of big game hunting and I like to use them.
Now, I often wonder if they are a good investment even buying at the recent depressed prices. I am not sure on that as time will tell, but I am happy to own them so far. I will say, I feel like I have seen somewhat of a rebound in auction prices in the past few months, at least in the US. Likely a symptom of inflation pushing people to want to own "real" items of value rather than keeping in cash or equivalents.


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93x64mm
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Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: Vette447]
      #358263 - 18/11/21 07:50 AM

I guess we should ask ourselves first why we want to buy a double even before we go into the market.
Regardless of price, I believe the vast majority of users will be because of the great workmanship that goes into these magnificent rifles that they have confidence to use them for hunting dangerous game should the chance prevail itself.
The romance of the great safari is still with us well over 150 years on; now to do so might be a pretty slim chance at present, however the skills to regulate these beasts with something besides factory loads are another challenge altogether, (I'm certainly finding that out) not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of time & money to do so, but that is the challenge!
If we all like the same old .345 Remchester then it would be a very boring old world where ever bullet goes exactly in the same hole time & time again (sorry to the folks that love doing that sort of thing!), so hence why we buy what we do - because we want it.
Regardless of price, these are all individual & unique, did you pay too much for rifle, perhaps you did - so what! We are just the caretakers of these fine arms, they outlive us all, so why bother.
Vette447 has the right idea, buy them for posterity's sake; if they are in my care they will get used lovingly until I pass them on to the people who deserve them.
So if you are just in the market for a double as an investment only then frankly you shouldn't own one because that is not what they are truly for.


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HeymSR20
.300 member


Reged: 23/11/11
Posts: 244
Loc: Scotland
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: crshelton]
      #358267 - 18/11/21 09:21 AM

Regardless of the £ or $ or even $ value of old doubles, be they rifles or shotguns, the real value, and the one that will be remembered is the joy that they bring when in the field. Old doubles will have many stories to tell and we can just add to them. Many still in regular use were made before we had motor cars, or we could fly and communications was by quill pen and ink on a letter and our correspondence across the Atlantic was by steam ship. And the American Civil War was still as close as the first Gulf War.

And yet here we are in a forum contributing from all parts of the world discussing these wonderful rifles and how they lead to many adventures , and hopefully are grandchildren and great grandchildren will be doing the same in 50 or a 100 years time.


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: HeymSR20]
      #358284 - 18/11/21 07:26 PM

Quote:



Very difficult to say. In the September Holts Auction ... and a Heym Boxlock with a pair of 375 H&H and 7x65R barrels all scoped that made £9,500. But the first is from a top end maker in mint condition with real collector value, and the second is a modern double with two sets of barrels that is selling for probably 50% of new price.





I would have loved to buy that rifle! Out of my pocket currently though.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: 93x64mm]
      #358285 - 18/11/21 07:46 PM

Quote:

I guess we should ask ourselves first why we want to buy a double even before we go into the market.
Regardless of price, I believe the vast majority of users will be because of the great workmanship that goes into these magnificent rifles that they have confidence to use them for hunting dangerous game should the chance prevail itself.
The romance of the great safari is still with us well over 150 years on; now to do so might be a pretty slim chance at present, however the skills to regulate these beasts with something besides factory loads are another challenge altogether, (I'm certainly finding that out) not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of time & money to do so, but that is the challenge!
...
Regardless of price, these are all individual & unique, did you pay too much for rifle, perhaps you did - so what! We are just the caretakers of these fine arms, they outlive us all, so why bother.
Vette447 has the right idea, buy them for posterity's sake; if they are in my care they will get used lovingly until I pass them on to the people who deserve them.





Absolutely. I often wonder who I will leave mine to. Some of them I would like to give to someone worthy, who would use them.

I sometimes think of buying and selling to make a profit, but I will hang onto mine until dead.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (18/11/21 07:47 PM)


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: HeymSR20]
      #358289 - 18/11/21 08:09 PM

Quote:

Regardless of the £ or $ or even $ value of old doubles, be they rifles or shotguns, the real value, and the one that will be remembered is the joy that they bring when in the field. Old doubles will have many stories to tell and we can just add to them. Many still in regular use were made before we had motor cars, or we could fly and communications was by quill pen and ink on a letter and our correspondence across the Atlantic was by steam ship. And the American Civil War was still as close as the first Gulf War.

And yet here we are in a forum contributing from all parts of the world discussing these wonderful rifles and how they lead to many adventures , and hopefully are grandchildren and great grandchildren will be doing the same in 50 or a 100 years time.




Excellent post.

I love having the honour of using a rifle carried by generations of hunters before me. A rifle over a hundred and ten 6ears old. Worn but still does the same task.

***

One factor in the DR market is many buyers have no idea. Sort of like buying a bow and thinking it will be the same as their brand new scoped modern rifle sighted in at the shop with factory ammunition. The same, They buy a vintage big bore DR and take it to Africa to hunt buffalo. Sell it as soon as they return home. Probably can't handle the recoil, it was unfamiliar, didn't perform as expected, probably double discharged it (my PH said it often happens when I did! But no one else admits it. ). At the very least, these guys should buy a new modern dr where it does need special regulating handload. The factory can set everything up for these newbies.

Less safaris, less buying of drs. Simple.

During World economic problem times, luxuries always suffer except for the super rich. They buy even more.

One of our members had a Purdey .369. purchased it maybe for A$7000? Over the years we saw it resold and resold till it was US$70,000 or more. Since last track of it. Maybe gathering dust in a collection. To me it wouldn't be worth half or a third of that ending price as a using dr.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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Ahmed577
.333 member


Reged: 13/06/13
Posts: 327
Loc: Western Australia
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: NitroX]
      #358302 - 19/11/21 12:18 AM

I am still buying new ones. Was sick of paying up to 20 times the new price for second hand guns. One day someone will thank me.

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Market for Doubles on the Decline? [Re: NitroX]
      #358304 - 19/11/21 01:12 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Regardless of the £ or $ or even $ value of old doubles, be they rifles or shotguns, the real value, and the one that will be remembered is the joy that they bring when in the field. Old doubles will have many stories to tell and we can just add to them. Many still in regular use were made before we had motor cars, or we could fly and communications was by quill pen and ink on a letter and our correspondence across the Atlantic was by steam ship. And the American Civil War was still as close as the first Gulf War.

And yet here we are in a forum contributing from all parts of the world discussing these wonderful rifles and how they lead to many adventures , and hopefully are grandchildren and great grandchildren will be doing the same in 50 or a 100 years time.




Excellent post.

I love having the honour of using a rifle carried by generations of hunters before me. A rifle over a hundred and ten 6ears old. Worn but still does the same task.

***

One factor in the DR market is many buyers have no idea. Sort of like buying a bow and thinking it will be the same as their brand new scoped modern rifle sighted in at the shop with factory ammunition. The same, They buy a vintage big bore DR and take it to Africa to hunt buffalo. Sell it as soon as they return home. Probably can't handle the recoil, it was unfamiliar, didn't perform as expected, probably double discharged it (my PH said it often happens when I did! But no one else admits it. ). At the very least, these guys should buy a new modern dr where it does need special regulating handload. The factory can set everything up for these newbies.

Less safaris, less buying of drs. Simple.

During World economic problem times, luxuries always suffer except for the super rich. They buy even more.

One of our members had a Purdey .369. purchased it maybe for A$7000? Over the years we saw it resold and resold till it was US$70,000 or more. Since last track of it. Maybe gathering dust in a collection. To me it wouldn't be worth half or a third of that ending price as a using dr.




Have had PH's and others tell me the same.. Client will come hunt 1 or 2X's with their new firearm, then sell it once back to their home..NOT true big bore enthusiasts. Wanted the picture to put in their office or on FB...

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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