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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Interesting, as the late Hershel Chaddick did not always follow that proceedure--glad he is no longer a gun dealer.. RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,531 Likes: 20
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,531 Likes: 20 |
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 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.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,663 Likes: 2413
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,663 Likes: 2413 |
I have always maintained that a first class total restoration job, with 20 years honest hunting wear afterwards, is going to be nearly indistinguishable from a high condition original, for most of us mortals.
There are those who can fake one so good it will fool the best of them. They have the ability to not only restore it to original quality or better, but to then put 100 years of "patina"on it in a matter of days. It's a black art.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,700 Likes: 99
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,700 Likes: 99 |
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.
foxes rule
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Caveat has the vowel "e", so does Empetor, right? Guess I have been on a "Limey" binge, as they add an extra vowel, usually a "u" to many common words- what the hey, right? RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,980 Likes: 175
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,980 Likes: 175 |
Executive Buying Service in Lancaster, PA, aka "Never a Screw Turned" aka Tom Gibbons.
It seems in recent years some of the heavy hitters have been moving to deify Chaddick, IMO in order to assure the market for the guns they bought from him.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
And for the "flip side" of that coin, Stan-- my philosophy has always been to buy a good gun from a reputable dealer (Bill Jaqua, Brad Bachelder, Thad Scott-now all deceased) showing the NRA "wear with care" and shoot it as is- and the $ I might spend for a refinishing job (Turnbull?- Del Grego? even Brad) I could use to fund ammo, hunting trips, maybe even another gun later on--I'm a bit like my literary hero Hemingway, who shot plain-Jane M12 and early unengraved Browning Superposed 12 gauges, later 20 gauge field grade M21's--and once said: "A gun is to shoot!"..
But, to each his own, and I am sure Mr. Turnbull has a good going business in his specialized field. RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Yes, and as time goes by, the market for such high-end guns whether buying or selling, is changing. I recently visited Jay Schacter's retail store in Grand Rapids- very nice inventory, but the younger market seems to want Berettas and perhaps Kolar O/U's-- not high grade L.C. Smiths, etc. Just IMO of course, there will always be an older generation that treasures those old classics- thank the Lord for that.
Case in point- the M12 and to some extent, the pre-64 M70 Market today--RWTF
Last edited by Run With The Fox; 07/28/19 08:09 AM.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 684
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 684 |
Many years ago I sold a very tired Fox 20 A grade. In less than a year the same dealer had it for sale with everything in factory fresh, screws un-turned order. I decided not to trust that dealer to tell me if water was wet. I offered him photos of before the miracle because I think he forgot I was the one that sold him the gun in the first place. He simply hung up. Back then there was no internet to post warnings to others.
Every gun I own is going to be shot if it is safe to do it. I hunt with a 42 pigeon grade and a 42 high grade. Every double, pump, O/U or semi auto I own is there to be shot by me or anyone who ask me to use them. I do take care of my guns but they are guns not idol to worship.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,491 Likes: 63
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,491 Likes: 63 |
I bought a gun from Chaddick in 2007. It was a NIB Parker Repro 28ga with DT, splinter, straight stock, 28" barrels choked M/F, exactly the gun I was looking for, at a decent price, with tags and all accessories in original case. Other than Herschel being a bit of a dick, it was a good transaction.
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