Although Ted and I wandered away from the subject with the discussion of the merits (or lack thereof) of the BSS--which, even in 12ga, is out of the poster's stated price range--I did a bit more research. I checked out all the BSS 12's and Scott 700 12's (some of which were misidentified--eliminated them) listed on Guns International. Results:
Came up with a total of 12 BSS, ranging from a low of $1,000 (with a cracked forend) to a high of $2,000 (Sporter, NIB). Eliminating those two, the average asking price on the other 10 was $1400. That's over 3x what they sold for, new, in 1980.
Found 9 correctly identified W&S 700's in 12ga. Eliminated one at $5500 (dealer may have been inhaling a controlled substance on that one!), and one with a custom restock at $3850. That left 7 guns, low of $2500, high of $3800. Average: Just over $3,000. Those guns cost 919 pounds, new, in 1980 (before Scott changed ownership and switched over from the 700 series to the later Bowood etc). Figuring the pound at $2.40, a new 700 cost just over $2200 in 1980--minus import duties etc. Which means one can still buy a 12ga Model 700, used, in decent shape, for about what one cost new 30 years ago. Although I consider that one heck of a buy on a solid, modern Brummie boxlock, comparing what they cost new, a BSS would have been a way better investment.
