I currently own 3 vintage double rifles, all of which are original (one’s never been refinished in any way) and I’ve never once paid 6 figures.
You’re welcome to take offense to me calling it a “beater” and saying it had no value to me with replacement barrels, that you chose to have milled for an optic. To me it was a working rifle that I wouldn’t be concerned with bumping, scratching, or otherwise continuing to damage wood/bluing on. The replacement barrels did raise a couple questions, that even JJ might struggle to answer without more info.
As you know, I along with
@rookhawk both saw and handled the rifle you just sold in person prior to your original purchase, which if I recall you purchased sight unseen. Neither of us knew the other had looked at it while for sale at Orvis because it’d been there for multiple years. I’m glad you sold it and were able to recoup your initial purchase + cost getting it useable + reloading components. I know why you sold the rifle and I hope you’re able to truly experience an elephant hunt as it’s meant to be. Each of us value things differently, what I’d consider over paying for a rifle or a teenage elephant calf you might not. That’s your right.
For reference here’s a photo of a 1910 WJ Jeffery. The pads been replaced, barrels were professionally reblacked in London probably in the 70’s and it’s potentially been re-oiled. The checkering doesn’t appear to have been recut as noted during the inspection and strip/cleaning by a former gun smith from one of London’s Most Prestigious firms. Aside from that it’s otherwise original. I’m presently working through acquiring it, but I’ll tell you it was purchased for more than $4k less than yours. I even offered to let a different forum member purchase the rifle for the same cost (down to the penny) it was offered to me.
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Additionally in November 2024 I sold a very clean Heym 470 2 barrel set to another form member for less than you valued this gun at separate from components and ammo. We all know what used Heym’s are bringing and how the entire market values them.
Take offense to calling the rifle a beater or saying you shot an elephant calf. Think about JJ smiling at my comment or about my suggestion to just have and use two nice rifles to enjoy a better quality hunt or experience. I’ve been doing the same mental gymnastics with one of my doubles as I’ll never hunt it and will likely never shoot it, but can’t bring myself to sell it following Jerome’s words of “don’t sell it, it’s essentially unfired and irreplaceable”. I’ll continue to spend my hard earned dollars on what I consider a good value and you can do the same.
To the buyer, not meant to detract from your purchase. Find out the speed the barrels were regulated for along with the pressures, and ensure the frame and stock can take the increased velocity and pressures. That’s something you’ll need info on from the proof house in Europe and barrel makers, not JJ.
