Historical double pricing

If I were to guess..

I would say that current Double Rifle values are realistically 50% of what they were in 2005.

My guess is based upon what I have been offered doubles for in Gunshops in the UK and Europe,once the vendor knew that the gun was for export and not domestic sale.I travel quite a bit and have life long links to the gun trade,not to blow my own trumpet but to give some background to my statement.

The impending lead ban in the UK,older hunters aging out,the younger generation not being enamoured with dangerous game hunting in the same way were are all big factors.

The proof is the number of guns that just sit unsold,for months with owners who are unwilling to meet the market. I am typing this from a Euopean standpoint but as I understand the American market is more or less saturated with those who are sitting on tonnage limiting supply to keep the prices up.

The proof will really come over the next decade when the boomers shuffle off their mortal coil.
 
In the US there is just not much inventory available...just look on GI and GB to see. I would not use the other sites given they are just too high. Demand is outstripping supply in the US
 
It does not…either poor DR, Rizzini I’ve owned one or not common caliber like 470, 500. The others you show are not common DRs which is why my point is very valid…demand outstrips supply of the most desirable DR calibers
 
In the US there is just not much inventory available...just look on GI and GB to see. I would not use the other sites given they are just too high. Demand is outstripping supply in the US

That does surprise me.

Considering the number of doubles languishing in the UK and Europe. A tidy Purdey, albeit rechanbered in 45/70 didn't make reserve for the second time.The company that did the work,quite reputable as well.

Bids ran out at $10,000

It's really quite simple to export guns to the states,especially from Sweden in the case of that Purdey.The demand should then in the truest American tradition be satisfied at a handsome profit?
 

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That does surprise me.

Considering the number of doubles languishing in the UK and Europe. A tidy Purdey, albeit rechanbered in 45/70 didn't make reserve for the second time.The company that did the work,quite reputable as well.

Bids ran out at $10,000

It's really quite simple to export guns to the states,especially from Sweden in the case of that Purdey.The demand should then in the truest American tradition be satisfied at a handsome profit?

A ruined Purdey is less a purdey and more a ruined. I had the opportunity to buy a self-opener best Purdey DR a few years back for around $13,000, rebored to 9.3x74r when it was originally 360NE. I passed. The prior owners decided to turn a $60,000 rifle into a $13,000 rifle needlessly.
 
It costs a lot of money and time to build a proper regulating load. A shitty regulation target injures the sale worse than no facts presented whatsoever. Withholding facts occurs occasionally out of ignorance or impatience by the seller, but usually to conceal something unpleasant. Caveat emptor.

A ruined Purdey is less a purdey and more a ruined. I had the opportunity to buy a self-opener best Purdey DR a few years back for around $13,000, rebored to 9.3x74r when it was originally 360NE. I passed. The prior owners decided to turn a $60,000 rifle into a $13,000 rifle needlessly.
I would think it valuable to all if in the Good Gins Deals someone would post DR's for sale in the UK and Europe. I have no clue the inventory availability or pricing or how easy or difficult it is to import them to the states but assuming some of the above is true (excess supply, ease of importation. Etc), it would be quite interesting.
 
A ruined Purdey is less a purdey and more a ruined. I had the opportunity to buy a self-opener best Purdey DR a few years back for around $13,000, rebored to 9.3x74r when it was originally 360NE. I passed. The prior owners decided to turn a $60,000 rifle into a $13,000 rifle needlessly.
Fair enough.

It's simply an indicative example I posted. 11 years ago I was in the market for a nice British shotgun,£10,000 in those days was enough to get you on the board quite handsomely. Now £3000 will buy the same gun.

This I foresee with the double Rifle market.
 
I would think it valuable to all if in the Good Gins Deals someone would post DR's for sale in the UK and Europe. I have no clue the inventory availability or pricing or how easy or difficult it is to import them to the states but assuming some of the above is true (excess supply, ease of importation. Etc), it would be quite interesting.

It happens occasionally, but most people have a vested interest in interesting doubles and aren't prone to posting them all, whether to suppress interest to keep the sale price low for themselves or a friend, etc.

On the other side of things, people don't want to recommend a double that they have no vested interest in, only to have a buyer pick it up when the buyer lacks the expertise and knowledge to repair/load/service it, ultimately leading to negative feelings from the good samaritan that pointed it out.

I think the wonderful double rifle I posted on the Good Gun Deals thread was a spectacular example ultimately bought by two AH members respectively. The reason I felt comfortable sticking my neck out to recommend it was its seller was one of the top gun dealers in Europe, further assurance I wasn't recommending a problematic gun.
 
Waiting time on a new double rifle delivery is long and there is no discount offered.

That is definitely a true statement, particularly if we're looking at modern best doubles. (Heyms and the like)

A quick case study in a best Heym that spells this out.

Made in 1999, I suspect for around $28,000. Best 470NE with every possible feature. Carried on a safari, bluing wear to the barrel, scratches on the stock.

Traded to solve a bad debt, the new owner had zero interest in guns, he just wanted recovery of his debt circa 2008. It languished on the market poorly advertised and was ultimately sold for $10,500 cash in 2009-2010.

Rifle had a proper reconditioning that included reblack of the barrels and new oil on the stock. Also triggers tuned, recoil reducer to get it to perfect weight and a proper pad. New cash basis in the gun after regulation, ammo, etc. was probably about $17,000.

That rifle sold two years ago for $43,500 in pristine condition with its regulation targets, ammo, pedigree, etc.

TODAY, that rifle new would be over $90,000 and a four year wait if ordered new. It's present used value is probably about $48,000.

It's pretty hard to say that best double rifles are going into the toilet due to low demand and weak pricing support.
 

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csmith wrote on 19_A_CPT's profile.
Not sure your price range. Have a 375 H&H with a muzzle brake. Nice rifle only fired a few times. Also a Mossberg 375 Ruger its been used and shows a few hunts on it.
Two African Safaris Hunted South Africa both times,
9 game animals taken
Has anybody hunted with Phumba safari in steenbokpan south Africa?
 
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