I had the luck of buying four English guns from an antique dealer, a friend of mine, who imports entire households of goods from Great Britain. He buys everything for one price and has a agent sort through the stuff and send him the best of the lot. In his container were two doubles and two double rifles. He failed to have them imported properly and got sacred. Called me and offered me the four for four thousand dollars. I bought them. All were pre '98 so no harm no foul.
Sold the small bore double for more two grand. The large bore double rifle went for almost ten grand. That buyer was "thinking about" going to Africa. Far as I know he got no closer than New Jersey. Swapped both of the doubles for other doubles later.
Saw the large bore rifle two years ago and the asking price was over 30K. It sold, but for how much I do not know. Funny thing is that the gun had been "refreshed" and called a high original condition gun. It was a 50-60% gun when I had it, but it looked at last time I saw it a high 90% gun. Since this refreshing would not have been that unreasonable if it was still back in GB I guess it is fair. I still have no need for the large bore but wish now that I had saved it. Been thinking about going to Africa myself. Or at least New Jersey some day.
