Don`t worry about vintage doublerifles loosing value. Just push your luck and add aprox 50% and you´ll be allright.

This double here costed $65K on this page.
http://www.ospreyarms.com/prod...00-cal-double-rifle/

Now it has increased in value..:LOL

http://www.gunsinternational.c...cfm?gun_id=100913728

That's Lewis Drake....just add 50%.

Consider the seller...
Drake’s price would be about right if the rifle were not restocked and blacked (and in +++condition)
Osprey’s price is more in line for that rifle but these days, maybe that’s not right either...
600s do have a certain panache though...

I've known this rifle for years.
The top end dealers have the cusomers to buy. I mean, look at CT Shtogun and what they ask!
Cal

Nothing wrong with any dealer trying to make a profit. 50% is reasonable. Value is subjective.

The 450/400 WR at Osprey is a nice rifle, just think I'd eat a lot of $$ the day I bought it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Huvius:
Consider the seller...
Drake’s price would be about right if the rifle were not restocked and blacked (and in +++condition)
Osprey’s price is more in line for that rifle ]

** Where is the problem with a gun that has been restored ??

Nothing wrong with a gun that has been restored but the price will surely not be what a high condition original rifle would bring.
This gun, IMO, was refinished to a non original specification. Never seen a Webley screw grip action from any maker that was blacked.

Understand and agree with your observations...
For the sake of discussion if a London Best say a H&H Royal pre war 500/465 is sent back to Holland to have all metal re-done, stock re-finished checkering re-cut action stripped and cleaned any springs replaced if needed. Should that demand more or less of a price than one of the same vintage that has been gently used.

rifles, cars and watches. they will fetch the highest price old, never shot, driven or worn.

Refinishing a mod. 70 pre 64 destroys value, same for some bolt Mausers and American made guns, particularly Winchesters.....

That said, it was very common for the Brits and others such as PHs to refinish their doubles every year after a hunting season, so many have been refinished nemorous times...It has not hurt their value at all in many cases Im aware off....Im sure it would to some folks, but the collectors and avid double rifle clan, don't seem to mind if the refinish comes with a letter from the maker such as H&H, Wesley Richards, Army Navy, Jefferys, and others..I sold two of my beautifull Jefferys for $13,000 and $16,000 and they had been refinished several times before I got them, they looked new and came with a letter, It would take an expert to tell they had been redone on the metal, the wood was too nice to have not been refinished.. the brits are not the best on wood IMO.

The world of doubles is different for sure in a lot of ways.