doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Going to look at a Dover Boss

My gunsmith has a Boss for inspection.The owner would like to sell it Dover address. He said the gun is fine condition.Rose and scroll looks like Summer. I have the funds but what fair market price?

Without looking at the gun , or at least good photos, no one can give you an accurate value.

Figure it's worth whatever would make you regret having not bought it. It's value to you is the only value that matters.

Condition and barrel wall thickness are important to know. If the barrels are thin, not as much as the seller thinks. We have no real easy way to sleeve a gun in the US. I have seen a few "Name" doubles, who are just worn out finish wise. They still shine and work but all the crispness has been worn out of them. They are almost like a faded set of jeans. You will know one when you see one. Shine is not condition. That said Boss did keep their standards as high as possible unlike others who would rebrand lesser guns with their name to suit a customers request. H&H boxlocks for a gamekeepers needs type gun.

With all the usual things to look for in an English Best. My other question is how is it chambered? 2 1/2 or 2 3/4? With little to none availability of 2 1/2" shells that may play in to the purchase.
But with that all said there is no finer gun ever made than a Boss. Especially if it is pre war.
I own a 1928 with 29" barrels and it is a thing of beauty to look at and to shoot.
Cheers

Looked at the Boss today.91xx number 1950s 12, 2 3/4 ,2 barrel set original condition Boss rose engraving 90% case,85 blue,cased in factory case.Made a offer which was refused.

Measure the wall thickness of the gun you contemplate buying. Even if the gun is unmolested, some Brits grind their guns out to unacceptable thin dimensions, at the factory. You should know those dimensions. Then make another offer. Ammunition is not a problem. 2 1/2" shells are easy to load and to purchase if you insist on using 2 1/2" ammunition.

Wall thickness look good.Wood not fancy will need to sell some of my guns to justify the purchase it will be my daily shooter doves and I duck hunt 30 days a year.Waiting on my offer which I just made at 27k.Old man but always wanted a best gun.

Better a 1950 gun than a 1970 gun as a rule but I doubt Boss ever let a bad gun out the doors. Funny you mention Boss wood. I was always told Boss did not go for fancy grain wood as eye candy. Can not recall seeing one with drop dead wood, but I long ago figured out that eye candy often was there to distract as much as please. Boss built to only one standard and did not cut corners. I do know the Boss O/U has a unique closing sound. Very sweet and uniquely satisfying. And I agree with Eightbore, both shells are easy to load and trust but verify the barrels, especially on 2" or light guns. Factory can be thin(ish) from the start.

Old man, huh? I looked for my dream Purdey pigeon gun for at least 50 years. I found her when I was over 70, and I will shoot that thing for years.