In my experience, continental guns have relatively poor re-sale values by comparison with Englinsh guns. Also, any gun manufactured in the last 20 years will lose the original buyer a pile of cash when he sells it.

Note the several pairs of modern Purdeys in Bonham's next sale. A new cost of 150,000; these guns made in the late 1990s and early 2000s are expected to make the seller between 60,000 and 80,000, less seller's commission. They should actually hold up quite well for whoever buys them now.

The best bet is to buy guns made pre-war as they have done all their depreciation.

www.vintageguns.co.uk