I just read on the Wright thread that the Gray books were bringing about $800. I just did several checks on th enet and found that to be true. I have a copy in as close to perfect as a used book can be. It is in such good shape becuase I never thought much of it and doubt if I even finished it. She has been on a shelf since th elate '90's. Thank God I didn't throw it away when I moved a few weeks ago?

So why do people love that book so much?

And does anyone want to buy a really great copy? Seriously.

it seems to be the first ( and maybe only ) book that details all about how a double rifle is built, regulated, etc.

since it is long out of print guys like you are the only source of supply.

those priced at $700 - $800 seem to have been there quite a long time.

if you put a price on yours you just may sell it.

Marc,

a well trained machinist/tool&die maker with a good shop could just about build a DR using that book.
Plus a short run, not reprinted.

Rich
DRSS

i say put it on a cd and sell them for $20 and you can make the $800 and keep the book...i am sure you could sell some here.

I have a copy in new condition. The first $700 and postage can have it.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
I have a copy in new condition.

Yep, that's normal. They were all lightly thumbed, just once, and put on the shelf.
-----------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

465,

you should be willing to include shipping for that kind of money!!

Rich
DRSS

Rich!

For you I will!



465H&H

Part of the appeal is that it is one of the few books out there devoted to double rifles. The other appeal, as Rich pointed out, is that it is a good technical manual on function. Not a light read by any means.

$800 is a bit steep in my opinion. Someone must be getting those dollars, though, from the listings I have seen.

For the non machinists in the group, a much better book is "Amateur Gunsmithing" by Mills & Barnes. It is the only resource I have come across that shows you how to take apart and reassemble both a boxlock and sidelock. Not that you would undertake that task in the ordinary course, but it is good to kknow if you are ever in a place where a good double smith is not available, or if you are a smith with the right tools and patience.

The Mills and Barnes book is starting to creep up in price as well. Abebooks lists a few for $400 or $500.

I have the Des Mills book too and would sell it for $500, that's for sure! I have read that many times though, as opposed to the Gray book. I think it does a great job of expalining the side lock and boxlock to a rank amateur. It blows my mind that those books have gone up so much.

Well, If I sell it, the Gray book is a hell of a return on my investment. I was over at a firends house one taim about 9-10 years ago looking at a firend's library, and he said when he read the fisrt few pages and was not what he thought it would be when he bought it. He stuck it out and said to take it if I wanted it. If soemone would have come and looked at my books yesterday afternoon, I might would have done the same thing! Or at least told them to keep it as long as they wanted, just remeebr where he got it from.

I have a copy of Grey's book, and it is absolutely NEW condition, but not because I haven't read it. I have books that are 40 yrs old that are in NEW condition, that have been read many, many times.

A lot of books have come up drasticlly in price after they were out of print. One is the first printing of FROM MOUNT KENYA TO THE CAPE, by Bodington,about $300. Another is the first issue of the TROPHY ROOM BOOK. It is now selling in the $450-$500 range, maybe more. The Trophy room book publishers sent me a letter five years ago offering me $300 for my copy back. That soft cover is in mint condition as well, but none of them are for sale till I die,(which may not be long, once my wife finds out what my crap is worth!) , then my wife can sell them all for what ever the market will bear. The same goes for my gun collection, or she can go to Africa and use them on Elephant, and Buffalo! I'm sure she will sell them, and go to Paris instead!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
The same goes for my gun collection, or she can go to Africa and use them on Elephant, and Buffalo! I'm sure she will sell them, and go to Paris instead!

I notice you are not publishing your wife's contact information. However, I can help with getting around in Paris if needed. Do not worry, my wife will accompany me.

There is no need to publish Claire's contact information.

I have already spoken to her!

Hell, I won't have a need for it when I'm in the ground! Ain't many Cape Buffalo down there!

I am amazed that the Gray book is so priced. The only thing I learned from that limited little book was about the pre-war gun steels having lead content which makes them heavier for such thin barrels, and weaker.

I have all the books MacD37 mentioned in his posts and will go slip a note card in each with the appreciated price.

The trick will be in finding a greater fool than I to buy the collectible.

Keep it alive guys.

Are y'all talking about The Hammerless Double Rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:
Are y'all talking about The Hammerless Double Rifle?

BINGO! that's the one!

Well crud...I may hafta put mine on the market then.

I googled up a copy for sale for $1750.