doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com US$ and gun prices

The tumble of the US dollar has a big impact on gun values/prices.
The math is simple – and to keep it simple I’m not adjusting for inflation and I’m using average historic currency rates converted to Euros. e.g. typical averages for Spain, France, Italy, etc., (but not for UK Stg£s.)

For an American shooter to buy a Continental import:
In Summer 1997 to buy a Euro1,000 gun it took USD1,100.
In Summer 2001 the same Euro1,000 gun cost USD 900.
In Winter 2002 the Euro1,000 gun cost USD 1,000.
Today, the same Euro1,000 gun costs USD 1,578.
It is not entirely reliable to use these figures for today’s values because many European gun exporters “swallowed” – at the expense of their margin – some of the currency hit.

Conversely, for a European shooter who wants to buy a gun in the USA
In Summer 1997 to buy a USD1,000 gun in the USA cost Euro909
In Summer 2001 the USD1,000 gun cost Euro1,111.
In Winter 2002 USD1,000 gun cost Euro1,000
Today, the same USD1,000 gun costs Euro634.

So will fine guns in the US now start to return home to Europe??
Will we see US dealers advertising in Shooting Gazette?
Km.

Maybe this means some Euro gunmakers will open factories in the US????

No way. Many Europian gun importers from US quit this business because of too many US restrictions. Tuomo comes to mind first of all. Dollar is low, but gun from US interest is lower.

It will be interesting to see if the French show up at the Reno show the last weekend of this month. They used to come to pick up antique French guns at extremely low prices in comparison to France.

Don't think the sports over in Europe could pay the going rate for the American Colts and Winchesters.
These make the Purdey look like a bargain.
I'm not sure, you guys over there know what big cash is for a firearm?

Post deleted by Jagermeister

It is possible. however, we need to bear in mind that many guns exported to the US in the past were sold for alot more than they are worth here and the seller will want his money back. A UK dealer is unlikely to give it to him.

the other thing is the fear of 'home mechanics' and 'custom gunsmithing' by 'master gunsmiths' carried out in the US withot due regard for the item being worked on.

There seems a big divide in the US between the incredibly knowledgeable and sophisticated buyer/user/ owner of British guns and the very ignorant bodge merchants who seem quite happy to butcher the guns despite their lack of expertise.

Guns taken out of proof is an obvious example by all those lengthening chambers but there are many more horror stories - a big 'buyer beware' sign needed for re-imports. Also note that guns sold in the UK at auction as re-imports attract furter tax on the hammer price of between 5% and 15%.

Still, I'm always open to offers!

There are a lot of good reasons why the price is not yet high enough for fine Brit guns held it the USA to "flow back home." The further flow to USA is likely to be dampened, though.

Geno,
I had a mfr license for a few yrs. I believe it's easier to manufacture in the US than to import, especially something like sxs guns. I believe the ATF pays more attention to mfr's of 'black guns' than true sporting guns that have little or no gangster appeal. That means usually ATF visits are infrequent to non-existant and little hassle.

Why sell a Brit gun living in America for almost ten years - back to the Brits? The first of the British wave was the best to come over.