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Blatant rip-offs by gunsmiths


Baldrick
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Last night I was looking through the Holt's auctioneers December 05 catalogue, checking realised prices for English boxlock side-by-sides, as I am buying one soon and thought I would do some research. Next to the open Holt's catalogue I had the current online gunlist from a renowned East Anglian gunmaker.

 

One side-by-side (a gun his workshop had made in the 60s) on the gunmaker's website had a very recognisable serial number, and I happened to spot this same gun and its unique serial number in the Holt's catalogue. Just in case I was mistaken, I made sure that the descriptions and measurements for the gun were identical in the Holt's catalogue and from the original gunmaker now selling a piece he had made.

 

The realised price for this exact gun was £600 at Holt's in December 05. Seven months ago. It's currently being advertised by the original gunmakers at £1995. That's pretty much a 330% mark-up, when I know that the gun needed no work done to it. That's ******* outrageous!!!!! :good:

 

That was a really last-minute saving grace: I'd been wondering whether to buy the gun from it's makers, as advertised online at £1995. How much of a mug would I have been if I'd paid nearly £2k for a gun that had sold for £600 just seven months earlier??

 

I think I'll be buying all my guns from Holt's now. See you there on 14 September...... :good:

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A friend of mine buys all his guns at auctions, and has picked up some really nice English guns for very little money. Even a couple of “Top-of-the-line†guns were picked up at silly money compared to what a gun dealer would have charged. :good:

There is a caveat though, and that is you must be absolutely certain about the condition of the gun. It’s no use going back a couple of weeks later and complaining that there is only a couple of thou’ left in the bores, or the barrels were pitted and really need to be honed out and re-proofed etc.

Other than that there are some absolute bargains to be had if you know what you want and can bid on an item that no-one else is really interested in.

G.M.

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Don't forget that if the gun was sold at £600 the Buyer would have had to pay commision to the Auctioneer of between 15-25%, plus the possible liability of VAT (Holts is 17.5% commission plus VAT).

 

I believe the average retail mark up on new shotguns is about 100%.

 

I know Holts is a specialist Auctioneer, who only deals in weaponry and associated items, so my following comments don't necessarily apply to them, but to General Auctions.

 

I have viewed many guns at General Auctions and would warn any Buyer to be very cautious.

Cracked stocks, missing firing pins, are just two of the most common demerits.

Most of the guns at auction come from Gun Shops that have taken them as trade ins and know they will have trouble selling them.

Ask yourself why the gun isn't in a Gun Shop window, where it could be sold for more money.

The Auctioneer does not sell the weapon with an MOT certificate, its "Buyer Beware".

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Even the high commission taken by auction houses seems far preferable than the ludicrous markup by the trade. However, having been to several Holt's auctions, they seem to be fairly honest in the description of the lots, such as volunteering accurate bore measurements. Experts such as Bill Harriman are often to be found wandering around the sale, if an educated opinion is needed.

 

 

 

I haven't tried Bonhams, Collings and Southams aporting gun auctions.

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