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Maineguide
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Marcel Thys
      #45980 - 07/01/06 01:30 PM

I either read or heard that Marcel Thys is back in business and building double rifles again. Has anyone heard this or any other information on this subject?

Maineguide

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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Maineguide]
      #45982 - 07/01/06 02:05 PM

From what I have heard, he was never completely out of the bussiness but was building only a few rifles, at a leisurely pace for G&H. I got the impression, without anyone affirming or denying, that G&H helped him out making good on partially complete orders which were destroyed by the apparently disgruntled employee several years back.

If he's back making rifles under his own name that would be great. I need to call G&H about a pair of shotguns they are working on and I'll ask and pass it on.

JPK

PS: I am both interested and biased since I own a Marcel Thys sidelock!

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mickey
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Maineguide]
      #45983 - 07/01/06 02:05 PM

For Griffin and Howe. Check their website. http://www.griffinhowe.com/

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Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mickey]
      #45987 - 07/01/06 02:31 PM

Is this one of Marcel's?

http://www.griffinhowe.com/riflemoreinfo.cfm

(The Griffin & Howe Boxlock under New Rifles)

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Edited by Grizzly (07/01/06 02:32 PM)

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bulldog563
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: JPK]
      #46008 - 07/01/06 08:46 PM

What is the story with the disgruntled employee?

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mickey
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: bulldog563]
      #46026 - 08/01/06 05:18 AM

Thys had a burglary a few years ago where there entire stock of rifles and rifles in progress were stolen.. The only ones they didn't lose were at the engravers or proof House etc. A former employee was blamed and none of the stuff has been recovered.

This is what caused the business to close as they lost everything. They did make good on all orders and replace all of the lost rifles of customers out of their own pocket but it took about three years and all of the money they had or could get. Along with the pressure causing health problems for Marcel they pulled the plug.

It is good they are getting back into it as they are very good rifles at affordable prices. Much like a Searcy is worth more than the asking price of $10,000 so are Thys worth more than the asking price of $25,000.

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Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mickey]
      #46033 - 08/01/06 07:02 AM

Grizzly,

Yes that rifle, the 470 boxlock, labelled "Griffin and Howell" is a Thys. If Thys's name were on the rifle it would have a bit more here and there, especially where you can't see, and be priced a bit higher too.

I have handled that rifle and its nice. It is relatively light or at least feels that way IIRC, and is well balanced.

JPK

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BlainSmipy
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mickey]
      #46100 - 09/01/06 02:36 AM

The local Bass Pro Shop has one in their "Fine Gun Room" in a glass case for $50000.00. I handled it and thought it a darn nice gun. But the price seems a bit high. THis is a new gun as well.

Colorado

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500grains
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: BlainSmipy]
      #46106 - 09/01/06 03:14 AM

Is the Bass Pro Thys a boxlock or sidelock?

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: JPK]
      #46153 - 09/01/06 10:27 AM

JPK

It is one beautiful rifle. At 10 lbs 10 ounces, it sounds like someone paid attention to making it well balanced.

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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46175 - 09/01/06 02:23 PM

I looked through the online versiun of Bass Pro Shops Fine Gun Room and couldn't fins any Thys. Where did you see this rifle. Can you describe it?

JPK

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BlainSmipy
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: JPK]
      #46195 - 09/01/06 04:32 PM

Denver Colorado, it is a 470NE and a box lock. Wood was high grade, express sights, with about 75 coverage. Its a new store so they don't have it listed yet. THe same place has a Jeffery's in a 375 flanged for $13500.00 used.

Colorado

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500grains
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: BlainSmipy]
      #46197 - 09/01/06 04:35 PM

50K for a boxlock 470 is too much no matter what brand it is.

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BlainSmipy
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: 500grains]
      #46203 - 09/01/06 05:00 PM

I agree, the clowns at Bass Pro have no clue about DR's at all. You ask them a question and get the, "I'm working here part time...I know shot guns..crap". I had to educate them on DR's, and I'm still learning myself!



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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: BlainSmipy]
      #46260 - 10/01/06 08:03 AM

JPK

What are the people at Griffin and Howell like to work with?



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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46275 - 10/01/06 11:15 AM

Grizzly,

Like anyone they have their plusses and minusses. If you are having them do work on a gun for you they can be torturously slow. They do seem to respond to pestering but its a pain. I prefer to deal with Paul Chapman, in the NJ store. He is in charge of their gunsmithing and thus a more practical guy.

PM me if you want more.

I agree with 500 Grains assesment of the price. You can get a new very nice sidelock rifle from a variety of good makers for that kind of money or a nice, very good condition English sidelock as well. I wonder if this price wasn't just put on the rifle as a "we don't know yet, but this would definitely cover it" number. I've seen this once or twice from some of the big retailers.

JPK

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mehulkamdar
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Maineguide]
      #46331 - 11/01/06 04:07 AM

I would hope that Thys restarts his website now that he has started building fine guns again. I would never be able to afford to buy one of his guns but it was really nice enjoying the very extensive gallery on his website. I hope members here who know him would convey this request.

Best wishes and good hunting!

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Mehul Kamdar

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #46515 - 13/01/06 11:37 AM

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with Griffin and Howe?

I inquired about the rifle they posted on their web site as for sale. I sent the first inquiry to their CEO. My inquiry was passed off to someone else for reponse from the CEO.

That response stated that they were trying to have a representative rifle available at the DSC. I responded to that individual indicating I was interested in the rifle they had on their site for sale. I also indicated I was a cash buyer ready to do business. No response.

After a follow up e-mail from me to the underling, he stated that he appreiciated my frustration, and told me that the rifle in question was "unavilable". And they were trying to have a sample available at the DSC.

I wrote asking if unavilable meant sold, and received no response. I was directed to their CEO, the first person I sent an inquiry to. I asked him what unavialble meant. No response.

I then sent an inquiry to a person there who I heard was responsive. No response.

A Thys may be a great rifle, but those selling the G&H version appear to be pulling the old bait and switch. Perhaps not intentional, since competence seems to be in short supply there. But nonetheless, a bait and switch.

Yes, it may be a good buy, but it appears you are buying a pig in a poke. I am inclined at this point to stear clear of G&H. I would hate to see what customer service was like after the sale.

Just based on life experience, I will avoid these people entirely. Unless someone here has had a positive experience with them that is stellar.

One last thing. I inquired several months ago about the Ritterbusch they had in 458 WM. Ased if they could rechamber it, and what the cost would be. I sent that request to their general information address and to their VP and smithy. No response. Ever.

In my book, that is three strikes. But they do offer some fine rifles on their web site. The downside to that is that those rifles of any appeal appear to be "unavailable".

I am inclined to pass on a G&H Thys based on this experience. And since Marcel does not have his name on it, I suspect it is not up to the standards of a true Thys DG.

Any thoughts?

By the way, I believe I saved all of the e-mail traffic from both inquiries. I am willing to share what I have.

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mickey
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46517 - 13/01/06 12:13 PM

I've also sent two emails to G&H about rifles for sale. Like you, I've never recieved a response. I gave up and haven't bothered them since.



--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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bulldog563
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mickey]
      #46520 - 13/01/06 12:39 PM

I sent an email about a rifle also a few months ago and it took them more then a week but they did respond. I guess I got lucky.

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: bulldog563]
      #46597 - 14/01/06 11:21 AM

Well, I am through with Griffin and Howe. My first communication was to their CEO. That got referred to someone else for response. I was informed that the DR on their site was not the sample they would have at the conventions. I pushed him further, and noted that I was interested in THE rifle on their site listed for sale.

I got a note back saying it was "unavailable". I replied that I needed to know if unavailable meant it had been sold. I was referred to the CEO, the first person I contacted.

I sent an e-mail to the CEO asking if the rifle had been sold. Crickets chirping. No response.

I then sent the string of e-mails to a person at Griffin and Howe that got things done, and even dropped a name of a current customer, who gave me permission to use his name. No response.

My take on all this? In my opinion, they do not have the rifles they list for sale. That is not a company I have any desire to deal with.

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vigillinus
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46649 - 15/01/06 05:20 AM


Griz, I know G&H well, live in NYC and have been a customer, guns and gunsmithing, for more than half a century. One of my Savage 99s is down there now. We get along fine, but I still have difficulty getting my emails answered. I think that notwithstanding they have a fancy website they are baffled by the internet, still living in 1922 when the firm was founded. My technique is to use that primitive instrument, the telephone, and call Paul Chapman, and if he doesn't pick up the phone, leave messages and pester until he responds. Frankly if we had pony express or Ben Franklin's original US postal service I would use that too.

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Pilgrim
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46650 - 15/01/06 06:48 AM

G&H isn't the only DR retailer that seems not to be able to respond to e-mails. You can add GSI and Classic Arms (in Memphis) and Westley Richards to your list. I've been trying to get some info on Merkel 140's for a couple of weeks now and zip for replies. Perhaps I can get the info at SCI - Reno next week. FWIW - The dealers in OZ reply very quickly. Either business is too good in the US of A, or the Aussies are simply more polite...dunno which.

I've been lurking and reading (trying to learn about DRs) for quite some time. First post in quite a while. Thank you all or what you have (and are) sharing. I'll be watching for DRSS hats! Thanks, Pilgrim (aka Duane)

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iwantadouble
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Pilgrim]
      #46653 - 15/01/06 07:38 AM

I do not know of how Westley Richards handles their e-mail inquiries, or even telephone inquires, but I will say that they are very accomodating to people walking in the door. I stopped in one slow morning, and up front made a note that I was just curious to look at a double or two and was not to be buying at the time and if they would mind. They kindly opened the vault and let me in and showed me several of the rifles on hand and answered some very novice questions I asked them. I was struck that they were just as intregued by the stock as I was and they derived as much pleasure looking, holding, and discussing the rifles as I did. That said a lot to me.

To hear that they do not respond to e-mail is a little sad, as I realize that most of the members of this board are no where near their store. I do understand the problem with being in a business and trying to sell something and having someone who is not interested in buying, but just looking interfering. I'm sure if I had asked during a busy time (not that I would, for either side of the counter), they probably would not have been as open to my requests. Nor would I seek to pester them with repeat visits with out more sincere interest in a specific rifle on hand and adequate money in pocket.

The internet attracts an unknown element that is hard to judge as well as being eye to eye, or even on a telephone where one can catch slight nuances in the tone of voice or expressions made, and this is the only reasoning I can attest for them disregarding emails.

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500 is a nice round number, either followed by "Nitro Express" or by "cubic inch displacement".

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BlainSmipy
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Maineguide]
      #46659 - 15/01/06 08:40 AM

I'm going to the Bass Pro Shop Tomorrow and will take pictures of the Thye 470NE there and post them.

Colorado

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46673 - 15/01/06 11:49 AM

A lot of companies have poor setup in dealing with email enquiries. Often the emails just get lost or are not treated as serious. Perhaps the person dealing with email enquiries does not pass them on (?). One reason for this can be the volume of spam and emails. Spam is destroying email communication and even if a spam-filter is used it still is a nuisance.

Not defending a lack of response as detailed here, just possible explanations.

Sometimes the telephone or fax machine works entirely better. Walking in in person too if that is possible.


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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: NitroX]
      #46678 - 15/01/06 12:32 PM

Vig, et al,

I understand what a phone call or personal visit can do. But if you are in the 1920's, do NOT list an e-mail address as a point of contact. It is pretty easy to say "call us". We would all understand that.

Business is business, and if you open a channel for communication, you need to be prepared to deal with it. If you are not, you are not someone who will survive in an ever more competitive environment.

Incidently, my message to G&H was that I was a cash buyer ready to make a deal. If you cannot respond to that kind of message, you do not need to be in business. You can get a high school drop out these days to read and recover e-mail. And one more point. Why would you get a response to one inquiry via e-mail and silence on others that asked a pointed question, like, do you actually have the rifle you list for sale?

I don't buy the too old to adapt deal. If I had sent a letter, does anyone thing they would have responded? My belief is that they got caught behind the 8 ball - they had nice pictures of a rifle they had listed for sale that they did not have in stock. Hence, the response, not available.

I would try smoke signals from Texas as a last resort, but they are probably too young for that. So, I will resort to hand signals of universal recognition.

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vigillinus
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46682 - 15/01/06 02:22 PM

Griz I like your last line !!!

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mehulkamdar
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46692 - 15/01/06 06:08 PM

My personal experience with Westley Richards when I did an article on fine guns for India Today Plus in 1998 was particularly bad. I had written to several of the world's great gunmakers at the time including Holland and Holland, Purdey, Johann Fanzoj, Boss, William Powell, John Dickson, Perugini and Visini, Lebeau Courally etc and everyone sent me material for my piece. Walter Clode of Westley Richards was the only one to send me a reply where he told me that he would not bother with sending any material because India had banned the import of guns by resident Indians. The tone of the letter was offensive and condescending and my piece went through without any mention of his company's guns. Years later, I had revenge of a sort when an Indian businessman in the UK wanted a pair of shotguns made and I managed to steer him in Johan Fanzoj's direction, and away from W-R who had been his initial choice. He saved money, got a set of really nice guns and is very happy with my suggestion.

While W-R undoubtedly make good guns, their top brass have an attitude problem when someone contacts them. Maybe this also extends to customers and maybe it doesn't. I know that it does extend to other dealers in the UK, more than one of whom has told me that they had particularly bad experiences with W-R when they went to buy something from them.

Good hunting!

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Mehul Kamdar

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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #46719 - 16/01/06 08:39 AM

The WR's guys in the US have been great to talk to and always ready to answer Questions on the phone.

They When they were short of some ammo I wanted they made a note and told me that when they received it they'd and see if I was still interested. I wrote that off as unlikely to happen. Guess what? I got a call a couple of months later telling me they'd finally gotten the ammo and asking if I still wanted it! Only a hundered dollar or so transaction so it was'nt going to make their day but they sure did follow through.

On G&H, I've never been able to get anything done without talking to Paul Chapman. I've always gotten what I needed done when I talked to him.

JPK

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iwantadouble
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: JPK]
      #46754 - 17/01/06 01:34 AM

This is sort of drifting off the topic, but my dealings with WR were also local (Bozeman, MT) WR, not Birmingham WR. I only used that as an example of the level of importance placed (by a lot of people) on the viability of email.

Communication seems to have a tier of acceptance. First and foremost is in person, followed by the more established means of communicating; letter, telephone, fax, and (now extinct) telegraph. The newest form is going to be the least accepted as sincere, irregardless of the contents stating otherwise.

By the way, the other factor is annoyance. You don't let a ringing telephone go unanswered (unless its someone you do not want to talk to showing up on caller id), but most email accounts must be manually checked and are quitely left running where they are not seen on some distant server. I'm lucky to check mine once a week, unless I know someone is sending me something. The fact that yours were answered rules this out, but if they weren't answered, it could pose a very distinct possiblity as to why.

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400NitroExpress
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46763 - 17/01/06 03:39 AM

iwantadouble:

Your point is well taken, but you're wrong on one point. The telegraph (the ability to transmit written messages over the wires) isn't extinct. The name has changed, that's all, they just call it e-mail now. This antique technology is grindingly backward and inefficient. A fantastically more efficient method of communication has recently been invented - the ability to send REALTIME VOICE MESSAGES over the same wires - they call it the telephone.


Grizz:

If a dealer is advertising a gun you want, you call. If you're not serious, you e-mail. The dealers understand that distinction perfectly, believe me. You snoozed (sent an e-mail) and lost. You have nothing to complain about. Good grief man, do you call 911 with smoke signals?!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------

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iwantadouble
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #46766 - 17/01/06 03:51 AM

Yes, I realize the modern incarnation of the telegraph is email, but I was using it in its strictest sense, as designed by Joseph Henry and along with Samuel Morse's system for coding and further refinement to the device in the 1830's is a far departure from its current version. But we are treading into the territory of symantics at this point.

I do agree 100% on you statement. If you want it, pick up the phone or get in the car. E-mail is probably only most usefull for spreading of virii to unsuspecting individuals, and advertisement of gender enhancing devices and pills.

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500 is a nice round number, either followed by "Nitro Express" or by "cubic inch displacement".

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mehulkamdar
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46769 - 17/01/06 04:17 AM

iwantadouble,

Just a point - I am not going to post on this topic again - I contacted Westley Richards as a journalist writing an article. Their contact details were gioven to me by the British Deputy High Commissioner's office in Chennai, India. It would have been impossible for me to visit Birmingham to ask them for a catalogue.

I have my conclusions based on not just my personal experience but also on the W-R management's press relations policies. What I did in the case of my contact who bought guns from Fanzoj is something that I would happily do again.

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #46771 - 17/01/06 04:53 AM

400NE

Comparing e-mail to the telegraph is like comparing a horse-drawn carriage to a car. In the business world, e-mail creates enormous efficiencies.

I also disagree that if I was serious, I would have called. Since I sent an e-mail, that somehow implied that I was not interested. If I was not interested, I would not have contacted them at all.

And of course, calling does not guarantee your call will be returned. And calling often leads to an interminable round of telephone tag.

Any business using the internet for advertising which lists an e-mail address for inquiries seems to be actually inviting those inquiries, and implying that they will respond to them. If you prefer to business by phone, you just say so on your site. You do not list an e-mail address.

For the record, I did receive an e-mail response which contradicted information on their web site. When I attempted to get the reason, there was no more e-mail communication. So it is pretty obvious they do have the capacity to address inquiries via e-mail.

I find that those who are not willing to put something in writing are a group I would rather not conduct business with. There is no real record of a telephone conversation as to what was discussed or promised. The telephone is the bullshitter's final refuge. And when making a large dollar purchase, I take a lot of comfort in someone's written word over a casual phone call.

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400NitroExpress
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46778 - 17/01/06 06:37 AM

Grizz:

If you want to send the same message to 100 people, yeah, e-mail is useful. If you want to communicate with one person, it's stone age. Things get done by talking to people.

I can't understand your complaint. You sent an e-mail about the gun to the CEO, when it should have gone to the sales staff. They re-routed it to the proper person, who replied that the gun in question was unavailable - a full, complete and unambiguous response to your enquiry. They were also kind enough to communicate that they hoped to have another available for DSC. Why should they have presumed that further explanation was needed? Why, indeed, should they have explained further, even when asked?

Send your telegrams if you want, whatever does it for you. While you're doing that, the salesman will be on the phone, selling the gun you want to someone who was serious enough to call.
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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #46786 - 17/01/06 10:17 AM

400NE,

Al I can say is that e-mail is a very effective means of communication. In my experience, it is generally a precursor to a phone call, which can be scheduled by date and time to avoid phone tag and voice mail hell.

We will have to agree to disagree on e-mail. I think it is light years aead of two tin cans with a string between them. And you think it is tin cans without the string. Less filling; tastes great.

I think I laid out what my issue was quite clearly, but here it goes again. They listed a SPECIFIC rifle for sale. When an inquiry was made, they effectively admitted they did not have that rifle to sell (by the way, as of yesterday it was still listed as for sale).

Selling something you do not have is bad. Listing something for sale and telling people there will be a representative sample available for you to buy is worse. In my opinion, by any other name that is bait (showing an outstanding rifle as available for sale) and switch (not having that rifle but trying to direct the customer's attention to something different).

And if you tell the world to e-mail you with inquiries, don't act like ancient man seeing fire for the first time when you get an e-mail.

As for the differences between the phone in Sam Drucker's General Store and my Blackberry , I am certain that a collaboration between the two of us over a couple of cold ones would lead to a new version of communication - the NitroNet! The ultimate "Killer Application".

If you are going to the DSC, give me a call. If you PM me, I'll give you my cell phone number (the cell phone being a reasonable compromise between the telephone and the internet)



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400NitroExpress
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46792 - 17/01/06 11:49 AM

Grizz:

WTF? So the gun was "unavailable" when you e-mailed. So what? That ususally means it sold, but there are a lot of other possibilities, too. Maybe someone else has it tied up. Maybe there was something wrong with it and they sent it back to Belgium. Sorry, but they don't owe you a more detailed explanation. Your conclusion that "unavailable" means they never had it to begin with and are, therefore, crooks, is irrational, and posting that accusation here is irresponsible.
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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #46836 - 18/01/06 01:43 AM

Grizzly,

Since I handled that rifle, I know that they had it and it was for sale. In fact they had two of them, one slightly different than the other as I recall. That other one is no longer on their website. I'm willing to bet that they are awaiting delivery of a couple more. So they are out of stock. But the rifle is their house branded rifle, and who know who the next maker will be, if Thys is totally retired, or even if he is not. Not unlike the English trade where guns with one maker's or retailer's name might have been made by another maker and maybe finished by yet another....

Its been awhile since I handled the particular rifle on their web sight and the one that isn't there anymore too, maybe eighteen months. Who knows when it was sold or whatever. You are reading way too much into the fact that that particular rifle is no longer available. Especially since it is but one example of their house rifle.

As far as customer service, well, they've always been a little weak there, and it has been a pain at times to get hold them (read Paul Chapman here since he is the fellow I prefer dealing with) or to get anything done quickly. But not so weak that I quit dealing with them or too weak for G&H to have been sucsessful in the high end of the business for eighty three years.

Email is a hell of alot less tagible than a guy on the other end of the phone. And a guy on the other end of the phone is a hell of alot less tangible that a guy standing in front of you.

My 2 cents worth,

JPK

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BlainSmipy
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Reged: 24/11/05
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: BlainSmipy]
      #46869 - 18/01/06 07:08 AM

Bass pro still has the gun, its a box lock, and has been lowered to $21500.00, also it is new unfired. It was built in 1982 according to the sales guy. It is at the SCI now on display.

Colorado

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: BlainSmipy]
      #46877 - 18/01/06 09:48 AM

400NE,

You asked a specific question. I answered your question. If you don't like the answer, maybe you should have not asked the question in the first place.

And you are right, they owe me no explanation whatsoever. On a customer service scale, that is not good for running an ongoing business. It conveys the impression that they not only don't need your business, they don't want it.

As for internet business, I will repeat that you are not going to change my mind, and I am not going to change yours. So why not let us leave it at that, and let's avoid your next "WTF" attack.

JPK, I agree with you that these guys have no bad intent. They are just used to doing business the old fashioned way. What I was trying to point out was the perception that can be created by what has transpired here.

I am in the Central time zone and can't call from work. They close promptly at 5 PM (I did try to call after work). Of course, they could call me but never asked for a phone number.

Just got an e-mail back from your guy there noting that he is out of the office until the 23rd.

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JPK
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: Grizzly]
      #46888 - 18/01/06 11:22 AM

Grizzly,

Glad Paul got back to you in some form.

Have you considred calling about the Thys at Bass Pro Shops, now listed for a more reasonable $21,500? Looks like a very nice rifle.

Its not on their website, FYI.

The best time to buy a DG DR is following the SCI show. If a dealer brings a rifle back, he knows that he has missed the very best opportunity of the year to sell that rifle. You might be able to negotiate a good deal on a nice rifle since the dealer is looking at sitting on that rifle for who knows how long.

Good Luck,

JPK

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bulldog563
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Reged: 21/10/05
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: JPK]
      #46922 - 18/01/06 03:53 PM

Grizz, What happened to the Heym? Are you still getting it?

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Grizzly
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Re: Marcel Thys [Re: bulldog563]
      #46986 - 19/01/06 10:03 AM

Bulldog,

Still on track for the Heym. The only reason I wanted to see the G&H was because more than a few people said I should check it out, given Thys made the rifle. If I was totally bowled over by the rifle and the service, I may have been tempted to stray. Based on my experience, I am not tempted in the least.

I feel that Marcel making rifles in his own name is one thing - making rifles for someone else is quite another thing. The difference between being an employee and an owner. I am sure that the G&H Thys doubles are great rifles, but the G&H price is substantially higher than the Heym.

I am looking for a shooter from a company that stands behind its product. I don't care about engraving; just a nice piece of wood. I have an older Simson Suhl 12 gauge that fits that description, and the Germans tend to over engineer everything. I'll take a no-makeup-precision-machined-tough-accurate-as-hell-beast-buster any day.

In the field, reputation matters not. A battle brings amazing clarity of mind, and in the threatning shit storm that lasts seconds. When you are into the weeds that deep, slow motion develops for those "in the zone". Live or die is a pretty powerful situation.

Pretty gets in your way.

10 more days!




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