Still at it
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=134538March 2009
Sporting Shooter, "Born In The USA"
The typical collector in the US looks for a factory original, mint condition example of a gun by the likes of Le Fever (sic), Parker or LC Smith. The fewer made, the more collectable, the more original condition, the more it will cost. Quality hardly comes into it. A basic grade Birmingham trade boxlock surpasses all these in terms of mechanical integrity, design and manufacture. If you want to upset an American show him a high-grade Parker, then show him a Purdey, and watch him blather on about nostalgia and patriotism and grandpa's homestead.
Helpful price comparisons are here
https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/pub?id=1OTND2bQH0vhlbCf7c2sN8H1vzmT7xagUSXhewGB03SE Prices of the lowest grade American made doubles in the 1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalogue:
Parker GH - $51.20
Smith No. 0 - $31.75
Ithaca No. 1 - $26
Remington 1894 A - $33
Baker B - $31.75
Fine guns listed included the Daly 150AE at $129, 250AE at $190, Greener No. 3AE at $187.50, and Facile Priceps at $93.75.
The 1906 William Read & Sons Catalogue (courtesy of Daryl Hallquist):
“Highest Quality” Westley Richards with single trigger - $595
W.W. Greener G70 “Imperial” - $500
W&C Scott “Premier” - $375
W&C Scott “Imperial Premier” - price on application
Purdey - 89 pounds 5 shillings sterling - about $446
Joseph Lang & Son “Highest Quality” sidelock ejector - 65 guineas
Parker Bros. AAHE - net price of $318.75
Lefever Optimus - $280
Remington Special - $750 = about $25,000 today
Hunter Arms' list prices
L.C. Smith Monogram AE - $365
L.C. Smith A-2 - $390
L.C. Smith A-3 - $740
Blather on
