Any Problems with "Heym"?

[Hunter-Habib]

What is tje most popular?

I'd have to say Merkels.

 

[rookhawk]

I'd have to say Merkels.

ChatGPT spit this out in order:

• Heym — Highly respected German maker; their Model 88B has been a flagship dangerous game double for decades and is widely carried by professional hunters. heymusa.com
• Krieghoff — German manufacturer with excellent modern double rifles combining tradition and precision; admired for reliability and safety features. Krieghoff
• Chapuis Armes — French firm (now under Beretta Holding) producing fine double rifles in relevant big-bore calibers (.375–.470 NE). Chapuis USA+1
• Rigby (John Rigby & Co.) — Historic British maker associated with the classic .450 Nitro Express; iconic but often very expensive and collectible. John Rigby & Co.
• Verney-Carron — French maker that offers capable and comparatively more accessible double rifles; respected among serious hunters. AfricaHunting.com
• Abbiatico & Salvinelli (Famars/A&S) — Italian maker with quality bespoke double rifles often offered in dangerous game calibers. Guns International

 

[rookhawk]

More analysis from AI:

Below is a practical breakdown by price tier (what you’ll typically pay) and market saturation (how easy they are to find new/used and how often you’ll see them in the field).

Tier 1 — “Entry” doubles (most attainable)​

Typical price (USD): ~$6,000–$15,000 (mostly used; some new in lighter calibers)
Market saturation: High (used market) / Medium (new)
Who buys: folks wanting a “real double” without going full bespoke; also a lot of “first .470” buyers.

Brands you’ll see a lot:

• Merkel (often the most common “serious” used double you’ll bump into)
• Verney-Carron
• Used Chapuis can land here depending on model/condition (examples listed around the high teens are common) AfricaHunting.com
• Searcy (US-made; more common in North America than in Africa)
• Various older Continental makes (mixed quality; some are excellent, some are “buy carefully”)

Saturation note: This tier has the most listings because it’s where most of the volume lives in doubles.

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Tier 2 — “Production premium” (modern dangerous-game workhorses)​

Typical price (USD): ~$16,000–$35,000 (new or late-model used)
Market saturation: High (new + used)
Who buys: hunters who want a dependable DG double they’ll actually travel with.

Big names:

• Heym 88B – extremely common among serious DG double buyers; Heym explicitly markets that many PHs carry them Heymusa. Real-world sale examples around ~$21k show up regularly True Gun Value+1
• Krieghoff Classic / Big Five variants – lots of availability and configuration options; you’ll see broad dealer inventory and a wide spread by grade duPont Krieghoff+1
• Chapuis (Elan / Artisan) – new .470 examples commonly land in the high-$20k range GrabAGun

Saturation note: If you want to buy quickly (and service/parts/support matters), this is the “sweet spot” tier.

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Tier 3 — “Best-quality / semi-bespoke” (status + field use)​

Typical price (USD): ~$35,000–$80,000+
Market saturation: Medium (new is available but slower; used exists but fewer listings)
Who buys: people who want a meaningful step up in finish, fit, and “heirloom feel,” without waiting years for a London best.

Brands:

• Higher grades/custom builds from Heym and Krieghoff (pricing jumps fast with sidelocks, special editions, engraving, and upgraded wood; Heym’s own current lists show this stepping into serious-money territory) Heym Manufaktur
• Westley Richards (especially droplock doubles) often lives here and above (availability is much thinner than production Germans)

Saturation note: You’ll see fewer for sale at any given time; when one appears in the exact caliber/stock/weight you want, it tends to move.

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Tier 4 — “London best / ultra-luxury” (prestige-dominant)​

Typical price: ~$80,000–$250,000+ (and can go well beyond depending on spec/caliber/engraving)
Market saturation: Low (new is slow; used is scarce and highly variable)
Who buys: collectors + “once-in-a-lifetime” DG hunters; also people buying for provenance and artistry.

Brands:

• Holland & Holland (new/“Royal” level pricing is famously high; even discussion threads cite very large pound figures for big-bores)
• Purdey
• Rigby
• Certain top Italian bespoke makers (Piotti, etc.) and rare historical originals

Saturation note: These are not “shopping” guns—they’re hunting art with long lead times and thin resale availability.