Good post from Toby.
Mike, I recall that gun. It amazes me how many dealers overseas will buy guns at auction based on a cursory glance at a photo in a catalogue and (maybe) a chat with the auction house.
Auctions are full of guns with a lot wrong with them. Only a proper inspection will reveal what is needed and what it will cost in relation to what the restored gun will be worth.
You can buy good deals at auctions but they are hidden in piles of less good deals and it is easier to get burned than get a bargain.
If you are in the room, know your guns and experienced in spotting issues, you have a chance. If not, you are playing Russian roulette. It is not that hard to work out. If it was that easy to buy total bargains from auction overseas, everyone would be doing it.
Unfortunaately, as another poster said, many overseas dealers are buying in ignorance and selling on for a profit to the more ignorant.
If you are contemplating buying a £10,000 shotgun from an auction, why skimp on paying someone £50 to tell you in advance what is good and bad about it. If the news is good, you can bid in confidence and hopefully get something for a good price, if not, leave well alone. In either case, you got your money's worth.
Gun auctions in the UK are 'sold as seen'. End of. You don't see it, your problem. Those are the terms of sale. Descriptions are brief as they cannot then be said to have lied.
