Lowell, everyone is a bargain hunter. As they say:"only a fool pays retail". The problem with auctions, is that it is the place where "retail" is truely established. After Julia's, retail for machine guns, British single shots, fancy LC Smiths and good double rifles and many other things is much higher than it was last month.
The Purdey pair were good used guns that went for a relatively low price, especially when you consider the original case etc. This often happens at auction, especially for guns and rifles that are not the "stars" of the show. If you know what you are looking at, you can find real bargains. You can also buy some real junk if you don't.
I try very hard to "tell it like it is" in my descriptions. However, remember that is my job as an employee of the auction company, and therefore, by extension, the consigner, to promote the product. Read the descriptions carefully, and note what is not said, compare actual measurements to factory letters, etc. [I put the bit about the looseness of item 580 in my write-up, but it seemed to disappear in the catalog and I'm not real happy about it.]
Rocketman: I know you have also quantified gun feel and swing; but how do you reconcile that with value? The Purdey 27 incher was a dynamic gun and would be an absolute joy in the field. Probably why it showed so much "use".
All the best, Mal
