12g Fox Sterlingworth sold for $3,650 on Sunday, 2/7
At the start of this year, I had a feeling at the gun market was picking up again. I asked some dealers, checked with some friends, and they said they said the same thing: “Demand’s back!”
Affordable SxSs were a thing of the past by the time I got out of college in the 90’s, found a job, and had money to spend on a gun.
SKB stopped making their side-by-sides in 1980. Stevens ended their low priced 311s and Fox Model Bs in 1989. AYAs and Arrietas were building SxS in the ’90s, but their lowest-grade guns cost more than my F150 was worth.
If I wanted a new double at a reasonable price, an OU was the only way to go: Berettas 686s, Browning Citoris, Ruger Red Labels.
But according to this new article in Outdoor life by A.J. DeRosa, that’s not the case anymore.
The dampness of the cellar mixed with the smell of gun oil hit my nose. My eyes caught the fluorescent lights reflecting off blued metal. Well-kept barrels of various brands and models of vintage shotguns stood out in contrast against a worn table. My bank account was about to be sucked dry; I tried not to think about the overdraft fees. The affordable gun I had originally came for fell by the wayside as I shouldered an Italian-built shotgun with a slender English grip. Welcome to the world of side-by-side shotguns….
Lot 5026: Early 20 Gauge Belgian Browning Superposed Shotgun with Case
[Absolutely nuts!] was what my friend’s text said.
He was talking about an early 20g Belgian Browning Superposed with case in Rock Island Auction’s last sale. The OU had just hammered down for $7,000 ($8,050 all in) against an estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.
12g Fox Sterlingworth sold for $3,650 on Gunbroker, Sunday, 2/7
So what does this pop in demand mean? It means if you have guns (or gun-related items like cases), now’s the time to turn them into cash.
The market for many SxSs and OUs has been sluggish, especially for 12 gauges and shooter-grade guns. A lot of people have been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for interest to return.
From what I’m seeing, that interest is back, and it’s driving more demand — and higher prices — for these guns.
If you’re looking to sell and wondering about the best ways to do it, leave me a comment or send an email: gregg@dogsanddoubles.com.
Two Boss O/Us I helped a client sell: A .410 shotgun on top, a magnificent double rifle on bottom
I’ve advised people on how to get absolute top dollar for everything from high-grade Charles Dalys and Parker DHE Skeet guns to Woodward OUs and some of the finest (and most valuable) Bosses to hit the market in the last 15 years.
A super rare Woodward round-body OU. I helped a client sell it for top dollar.
When it comes to vintage shotguns, especially vintage American shotguns, original condition matters the most. But what does “original condition” look like, especially on a couple VH-grade Parkers that are 80+ years old.
28g Parker VH SxS
Take a look at these two. The first is a 28g that looks like it spent most its life in the field. The second is a 12g that looks like it was locked in a gun case since new. Both look all original to me.
28g Parker VH SxS
28g Parker VH SxS
28g Parker VH SxS
Parker VH 28ga 28” SxS for sale: All original gun that has never been fooled with. These are very hard to find and super rare in original condition. Bright, shiny, 28″ bores choked f/f.Serial Number: 165290, Barrel Length: 28”, Barrels: 28”, Gauge: 28ga, Stock Dimensions: 14”, Stock Comb: 1 1/2”, Stock Heel: 2 1/2″ Price:$14,500
Very near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference Gun
Very near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference Gun: Advanced collectors always have what they call “reference guns”. A gun that they know to be all original to compare other guns to. This particular gun, a 225k SN range VH 12ga with original 28″ Vulcan Steel barrels is absolutely a reference gun. Made with capped pistol grip, splinter forend, double triggers and extractors.
Very near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference Gun
The gun remains in exceptional near mint original condition with more than 98% original barrel blue, virtually all of its bold original case color, and nearly all of its original stock finish. Here are the technical details on the gun: made on a 1-1/2 frame with drops of 1-1/2″ at comb and 2-3/4″ at heel and LOP of 14-1/2″ over the original DHBP. The gun weighs 6lbs 15oz and the barrels measure .730 (R) with .018(mod) and .732 (L) with .028 (imp. mod) and both barrels have .028MWT. This gun is guaranteed authentic and completely original in every respect and comes to me from one of the great Parker collections in the country. PGCA Letter included identifying the gun exactly as found today. It is very near mint and truly fantastic. I wish every Parker I owned was this fine and easy to describe. Simply put, no excuses on this gun. Price:$5995
Very near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference GunVery near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference GunVery near mint and all original Parker VH 12ga 28″- Reference Gun
Gavin Gardiner’s Guide to Sporting Guns: What to Look for – Condition.
So you want to buy a vintage shotgun. This short video will introduce you to some of the things you should look for when looking at old doubles.
Gavin Gardiner is one of the UK’s top gun auctioneers and an authority on fine side-by-sides and OUs. While the shotguns in this video are high-end and British, the lessons Gavin teaches apply to all doubles, from Parkers and Purdeys to Foxes and Francottes.
My 15 minutes of fame are here — finally! Andrew Schatz over at www.ClaysandBirds.com interviewed me last Saturday.
Andrew’s a good guy (even though he runs Braccos -haha) and his podcast is worth subscribing to and checking out whenever possible. For this piece, Andrew and I talked a bit about where to find good vintage guns, what to look for when buying them and the #1 most important thing you must do before closing a deal.
Martin Willis is one America’s leading experts on antiques. His website the Antique Auction Forum is a great place to learn all about the business of buying, selling , and collecting them. Last weekend I sat down with Martin and talked about one of my favorite subjects — collecting antique shotguns.
You can listen to our discussion here. Our discussion covered everything from my favorites to the dark side of collecting – fakes and phonies – and how to protect yourself from them. I hope you enjoy it.
