I should add, on more than one occasion, I have spoken to guys who described having a Lefever Nitro Special with some "added engraving," or something along those lines. At least two times it turned out they were looking at a graded, engraved sideplate Lefever.
Sadly, both of those were not in good enough condition.
But at least I had a crack at them! Consider the opposite is usually true with other makes...most notably Parker. Every old guy who's ever had a VH 12 gauge on a #2 frame come through his shop in decent condition wants to price it like it's a DHE 20 on a #0. They often don't even know anything about Parkers...they just "know" that other people say they are "the best."
Sort of like people who ONLY drink Caymus or Opus One when they drink wine. They don't even know what good wine is...only that other people talk about these, and they clearly cost a lot...so that means they're "the best."
With collecting, it might be an annoyance, but in reality it's what makes finding a gem even possible. And in general, other than when they VOTE, I find ignorant people to be quite useful.
- NDG
