i was thinking min bid and see where it goes.
this one didnt sell last time. might see if theres an after auction bid. see if i could snag for a grand. what are yalls thoughts on gibbs rifles? they seem to be alright but i dont know much about them
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That one didn't sell the last two times it went across the block, or in the last online auction that followed...but I think its a super cool rifle. If I bought another at the auction, I would absolutely buy that gun as well. Since they dropped that reserve and starting bid, I think someone will give it a go.
It and the 275 Rigby you referenced are on my watch list for this auction. That particular 275 Rigby is interesting for sure, and is a modern build in the past several years...they list as 2019, which would make it a London's Best build. Waiting to hear if based on a Mayfair Engineering action or what. It is a pretty basic rifle for a London's Best, and one that looks cared for but well used in as many short years, with several stock bumps and bruises, so it could go very, very reasonably given the condition, and that it isn't vintage. To many, it would be viewed similar to a well used Highland Stalker. It's one you don't see often enough to have a real sense of what to expect. I can say with a level of good faith expectation, that folks will bid on that rifle and likely well above the projected range, maybe even me. LOL.
But, if you end up buying one, might as well buy several. The importation process is not rocket science, but as Rookhawk pointed out, there are costs and some minor headaches involved, if importing one single rifle, it needs to be something special (even just to you), and at least if buying multiples you can find some economies of scale. That is not always super easy at auction...wont know until it crosses the block. Depends on who shows, what catches their eyes, what else they might have bid and won before. There are things that will sell low at times, could be luck of distraction or folks there in person saw an issue the photos or hands on description did not pick up. There are some deals to be had at times at auction...but you can always end up talking yourself into something you should walk away from or at least sooner. Not every winning bidder is a fool for paying the most...but at times???
Back in my younger days before law school, all I did for a couple years was travel around the country to auto auctions buying cars for a national auto chain. Fun work, also stressful since I would often spend what seemed like a kings ransom on a daily basis, 8-10x my salary each day, and was expected to source quality inventory, but at a price that could show the targeted profit margins. All tracked and score kept, stressful fun I guess. Learned a ton. Auctions are mixed bags, deals exist, good ones, but also more areas to lose if not properly cautious and know when its time to bail.
Good luck and have fun. I sure hope someone from the US buys the Gibbs. We need more unique 338 WM rifles in these parts...but a british gun in an american cartridge that is not favored by many (compared to some) makes it a hard sell with what it takes to get it back here.
