I had one experience purchasing from Mr. Chaddick, a small frame Martini .22, which was a disappointment, to put it mildly. Ended up as the basis for a custom small game rifle, so other than the educational value, there was no real harm done.
I suspect that at least some of the plethora of high grade collectible American shotguns in near mint condition that emanated from his shop might have had some skilled refurbishing performed before they were offered for sale.
I think his nickname was "Never a screw turned".
I know that to be a fact with the now-deceased dealer, whose name now escapes me, in Lancaster, PA, who seemed to have an endless supply of (mostly) mint condition Fox shotguns, as I know and saw the guns undergoing restoration in the shop of, at least one of the gunsmiths who did his restoration work. Cured me of any urge to collect, as I clearly wasn't nearly experienced enough to distinguish original from refinished.
