marsh man Posted July 12, 2022 Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 looking back over the years I have had countless days out with my faithful companion , I know what your thinking I have had another four legged friend put down , Well you are wrong , I was referring to one of my guns that ended up at the police station to finish it's life in the dreaded melting pot . The gun in question was a nice looking Charles Osborne , side by side , non ejector , I cannot remember now how long I have it or where I got it from but I have been married for getting on to 50 years and I had it when I was single , in all that time I cannot remember it ever going wrong apart from now and again I had both barrels go off at the same time , this only happened on the very odd occasion and was soon forgot about , I used it for the last time last week on a afternoon's Pigeon shooting , as the afternoon wore on the top lever came loose and no doubt the spring had gone west , also I knew the top rib was also showing it's age with it sounding hollow when you tapped it , when it first sounded hollow I took the gun to our local gunsmith ( 30 odd miles away ) and to get it put right I was quoted around £200 , this was taking it off , cleaning between the barrels , brazing the rib back and then when finished it needed re Bluing , this alone would have been twice the value of the gun and that was without knowing the thickness of the barrels and the tightness of the face . So the the top lever was the final straw and was now time to part company , coming out of the police station I wasn't sure if the hay fever was making my eyes rubbing or the thought of my ole gun going in the melting pot and not tucked up in the slot it had in the gun cabinet , I liked to think it was the high pollen count that was making my eyes rub , what say you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted July 12, 2022 Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 I’ve been very fond of some guns over the years but have never shed a tear once I decided they had to go. Never had one “put down” though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 12, 2022 Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 I can’t believe you surrendered it to the rozzers! 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted July 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 34 minutes ago, London Best said: I’ve been very fond of some guns over the years but have never shed a tear once I decided they had to go. Never had one “put down” though. No , I am pretty sure the tear was mainly due to the pollen count , or maybe parting with a gun without getting any folding money from the new owners This was the second one within about 18 months as I did write a report on the forum of a German gun I had that had the bottom rim fall off when I got one of my rare right and lefts , the only thing I kept was the rib that is still in my garage , hopefully the four that I have got left will see me out , but with side by sides making next to nothing it won't leave me in dire straights ( well not quite ) if I had to invest in one more 32 minutes ago, Scully said: I can’t believe you surrendered it to the rozzers! 🤷♂️ I had very little options Scully , if anyone had wanted it they could have had it for nothing , but I couldn't stick it in the auction as they want a £10 fee just for a gun smith to say it is safe , which it wasn't , at least by letting them have it they can remove it from my s g c and I well might be in the market if a member if offering a bargain for sale , as long as TIGHTCHOKE don't beat me to it , bless him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HantsRob Posted July 16, 2022 Report Share Posted July 16, 2022 Someones chopping onions...... 😞 Shame a local gunsmith didn't want to take it for spares and repairs to save it just going straight to a melting pot. Sure they may get some pennies from it, but at least it's like an organ donor! I feel your pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted July 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2022 9 hours ago, HantsRob said: Someones chopping onions...... 😞 Shame a local gunsmith didn't want to take it for spares and repairs to save it just going straight to a melting pot. Sure they may get some pennies from it, but at least it's like an organ donor! I feel your pain. I very much doubt you would get many spares from a worn out old English non ejector shotgun Rob that could be over 80 / 90 years old , also you would be lucky if a gun smith would take it as a gift as they are full to the ceiling with old side by sides and to them they are more trouble than what they are worth , one satisfaction is it had a very active life , and who knows , it might come back as a small part for a Rolls Royce or even a top lever for a Purdey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HantsRob Posted July 16, 2022 Report Share Posted July 16, 2022 22 minutes ago, marsh man said: I very much doubt you would get many spares from a worn out old English non ejector shotgun Rob that could be over 80 / 90 years old , also you would be lucky if a gun smith would take it as a gift as they are full to the ceiling with old side by sides and to them they are more trouble than what they are worth , one satisfaction is it had a very active life , and who knows , it might come back as a small part for a Rolls Royce or even a top lever for a Purdey Funny you mention that. I heard a guy in greenfields asking what second hand sxs they have, and they said they had none in stock. I reluctantly agree that the scrap metal will have another life not as a gun. But. Glad it was thoroughly used and enjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted July 16, 2022 Report Share Posted July 16, 2022 (edited) Selling cheap second hand guns in the same shop can cut demand for higher priced new guns. If you look at what BASC said about the reduction in certificate holders then I suppose supply and demand dictates prices falling. New guns are always being made but old ones are just as good and last too long really. My Beretta is their original semi auto, it is older than me and the new ones have no advantage to me. A weird market for any RFD to operate in. Edited July 16, 2022 by WalkedUp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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