Thinking About Buying A Vintage Shotgun? Read This First

FWoo45 said:

Where are you buying shells for your vintage shotguns? I have searched online for slower non-tox shot shells and can’t find any (20b). Plus most are a mix of steel shot and either tungsten or bismuth. I reload rifle and pistol, but am consolidating calibers to simplify that and don’t really want to add shot shell reloading.

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rookhawk said:

RSTshells.com is the best source in the US for 2.5" non-toxic shells for vintage guns. They sell nice-shot and occasionally bismuth. It's not cheap at roughly $100 for 25 rounds, but how many ducks or turkeys are you going to kill? For everything else, I just use RST lead shot which is far more affordable.

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Nevada Mike said:

I have bought and imported a number of 'vintage' shotguns directly from the UK. I have a trusted UK dealer that inspects the gun prior to my commitment to buy. Most UK dealers will send the gun that you are interested in buying to a UK person/firm to inspect for you and the cost is nil to very little.

I have done the importation on my own in the past but now use a broker. When the gun arrives here I send to my 'smith, who is highly qualified and knows me well. He vets the gun again and makes recommendations and does other work that may to be done.

It is interesting to note that vintage doubles in the UK are decreasing in price - all but the very best collectable guns. The UK is now shooting (almost completely) non-toxic shot and the generation that originally owned and appreciated these old treasures have passed on and left their arms to their heirs... most of whom shoot O/U guns or don't shoot at all. I own a couple guns that are now worth LESS than I paid for them 10 or 15 years ago. I don't really care because I shoot and appreciate them.

I also think that high quality boxlock guns are a tremendous bargain right now. Especially ones made by lesser known makers. But you must, as Rookhawk points out, take the trouble to educate your self prior to buying. I have a nice 20b Robertson (spec'd, finished and sold by Boss of London) that I bought for less than $2500. Another is a lightweight 16b from Jos. Harkom of Scotland that cost me $2200... Great bird guns for an AZ quail hunter.

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franzfmdavis said:

Thank you for the detailed advice!

I have "hired" @rookhawk to assist me with the purchase of guns and it has been well worth the money. While he is not advertising this service, I imagine he would be willing to consider requests for assistance, but please be considerate and don't ask or expect him to do it for free (even if he initially offers). His wealth of information and capability has come a cost of time, reference material and tools and it is only fair to plan to pay a fair fee for such a valuable services.

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Altitude sickness said:

This book won’t make you an expert. But it will tell you what you don’t know. View attachment 747519View attachment 747520

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Altitude sickness said:

Another book I just bought here on AH. That also reminds me how little I know in this field. An amazing amount of detail and history in this book. View attachment 747522

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PCC600 said:

When buying at auctions in the UK I have used Diggory Hadoke . He is very close to the teams at Rigby and Westley Richards . He is very knowledgeable . A good resource .

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PCC600 said:

When buying at auctions in the UK I have used Diggory Hadoke . He is very close to the teams at Rigby and Westley Richards . He is very knowledgeable . A good resource .

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rookhawk said:

The ulgy green velvet color is somehow the most beautiful color paired with a fine WR! That's a stunning shotgun with gorgeous plum brown damascus. Congrats!

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