I have been watching with great interest Big Five Jack's search for "the one" double. I have not bought a double for quite a while and I'm sure my opinions are dated. I am curious what the AR members feel are appropriate buying prices for vintage English/Scottish doubles. I know condition and engraving, cases etc. alter pricing but for sake of argument let's assume we have two basic boxlocks in 80% condition with ejectors. Both have minimal engraving and no case. What would such guns cost today in 450/400 and in 470?

I would say my WAG (wild ass guess) for the 470 would be 19K-22K. For the, 450/400 11K-14K in 80% with good bores.

The trouble with Jacks search is the weight. English doubles that I've looked at have been heavy for cal. Most of the 450/400 guns I've looked at (and that has been a bunch) have been a hair over 10lbs. And most of the 450, 470,475 guns have been 11.5-12 lbs.

I'm no expert just a guy who shops a bunch. On the other end of the scale most of the Spanish, Ferlach, German, and French doubles are light for cal.

Just my take on the world,

Ed

Prices vary from 12K -300K...And everywhere in between.

JW

Hi guys,

True, I have drawn "a line in the sand" on the

topic of weight per caliber. If I had not, I could

have made any of 30 DR's mine by now spending

"in the teens". I am some what encouraged by info

that has come my way, that the weights that I have

selected are NOT mythical, just not so commom as

those 7 - 12% heavier. I can hang in till MAY 01

with these guidelines. If no purchase by then, I'll

select something from another nation with the possibility

of NEW in some cases, Verney-Carron & Heym as examples.

So, this "soap-opera" I am subjecting you all to will
soon be history!

Damn Jack - if you don't get this Brit thing out of your system soon you're going to have to change your name from BigFiveJack to "Union Jack"!

One of the issues I have seen with the Brit doubles as of late is that they are being priced with a "collector value" premium. You can see what some of them went for at Julia's recent auction - those are auction prices, not necessarily resale prices. Dealers who buy at auction will add another 20% or so onto the auction price.

Don't get me wrong - they are nice. And if you can scoop one up in your price range, you 'da man!

But there is nothing wrong with a new double either. In the price prange you are looking at, a Heym made to your measurements would fit the bill.

You ought to drop New_Guy a line - if for no other reason he always seems to be hot on the trail of what is available in the world of new and used doubles and what may be coming up.

My particular peeve about Brit doubles is that the smaller bores, which are the most interesting for North American use, tend to be heavy for calibre - .303s usually weigh over 9 lbs., for instance. This may have been fine in Africa where you had a gunbearer. Here the Continentals were way ahead of the Brits. On the other hand, 10.5 lbs for a .470 does not seem as bad. When these rifles were originally made, the users expected they might have to shoot repeatedly in the course of a day, wearing a light shirt, and tough guys or not, the recoil wears on you.

Jack

It's certainly no "soap-opera".

At least you know what you want - half the people that call or ask me about a Vintage DR (I won't say Brit as Europe made some fine guns as well) don't have a clue about calibre, price range, action type, ejectors etc etc etc.

Your going about it the right way !

I am flattered 500N. This is my best attempt at intelectually selecting my 1st DR.

I consider myself somewhat/kind'a informed on the subject, BUT NOT AT ALL AN EXPERT!

I would love to be 20 times more knowledgeable. And, to have the $$$ to be shopping for

my 20th DR.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Damn Jack - if you don't get this Brit thing out of your system soon you're going to have to change your name from BigFiveJack to "Union Jack"!

Jim,

Now you've shown off your fine wit! And, it is true, I am "taken" by

much of the U.K., especially the arms they built long ago for the taking of game,

whether on the hoof or wing.

Jack

I also would like to "consider myself somewhat/kind'a informed on the subject, BUT I also don't consider myself AN EXPERT! - Just reasonably well read and researched, something I notice you have also done.

We would all like to be be 20 times more knowledgeable !

The other thing is you are realistic on your budget - and believe me, some people want to buy at Brit double with half that amount "having remembered seeing a XYZ 450 for $7,000 8 years ago !!! Can't tell me wht it was, BP or Nitro, all they remember is the $7,000.

Will be in touch soon.

OK Nigel,

We'll see where "this train takes us" so to speak. On with

the learning/studying and shopping, nothing wrong with that!