Buying guns at auction- any gremlins?

[ChrisPackham]

I have seen a gun that I would love, clean, tight action and very clean, looks to be little used.

What should I look out for at auction?

 

[westley]

It pays to take someone to be able to measure up the barrels (unless you have that capability) and generally check the gun out. I know of a lovely Holland and Holland that was bought in auction that turned out to be a 'Triggers Broom'  !  It had been re-barrelled  by A.N. Other, restocked by A. Joiner, the only bit by Hollands that was left, was the action. Having said that, I heard only today of a lovely AyA Yeoman with slight pitting on the outside of the barrels, that cost the princely sum of £10  ! 

 

[Madmillie]

Don't get carried away with the bidding. Also remember the add ons of commission and VAT. Went to one of the better named auctions in West London and was surprised at the prices that some pretty bog standard guns fetched. Guide prices were a joke and usually were reached within seconds, in many cases reserves were not met with the auctioneer offering to discuss the last unsuccessful bid with the seller after the auction. In short you need to be careful and I would recommend going to a couple of events before you start committing cash. Good luck.??

 

[ChrisPackham]

Thanks guys, good advice, my budget net of fees is double low estimate, does that sound silly?  Gun needs to be converted back into drilling as currently the rifle barrel is converted to 410

 

[schmokinn]

Whenever i have mentioned auctions to my RFD he simply said where do you think we get rid of our crap

 

[CharlesP]

PP I strongly suspect that the biggest minefield could well be this business of "Gun needs to be converted back into drilling as currently the rifle barrel is converted to 410"  which if I'm understanding you correctly means a rifle/shotgun/shotgun combination has been converted to shotgun/shotgun/shotgun but with dissimilar bores and you would rather have it as a rifle/shotgun/shotgun Is that right?

It'll be vital that someone who knows what they're doing - and has practical experience - examines the gun and gives you a solid quotation for the work. Of course I have no idea what the gun is, or how much money is involved, or even what rifle calibre you are hoping to end up with, but maybe this reconversion could cost you rather more than the acquisition from an auction room in the first place.

I agree with what others have said about auctions, but it's not all rubbish. The 1892 Greener in my avatar was purchased through a Sussex auction house in the seventies; it's still going strong.

 

[squimp]

Have a look at Diggory Hadoke's site 'Vintage Guns' (or find a copy of one of his books).

There are a couple of articles reprinted there that go thru'  the economics of why buying at auction may not save you money. Of course "he would say that wouldn't he" as he is a gun dealer -  but it is interesting all the same.

Just as an aside, I saw a really good boxlock at the Game Fair last weekend. On a dealers' stand and relatively reasonably priced. 

 

[Aris]

Fees + VAT can be 50% of the hammer price on top - do your homework.

 

[ChrisPackham]

PP I strongly suspect that the biggest minefield could well be this business of "Gun needs to be converted back into drilling as currently the rifle barrel is converted to 410"  which if I'm understanding you correctly means a rifle/shotgun/shotgun combination has been converted to shotgun/shotgun/shotgun but with dissimilar bores and you would rather have it as a rifle/shotgun/shotgun Is that right?

It'll be vital that someone who knows what they're doing - and has practical experience - examines the gun and gives you a solid quotation for the work. Of course I have no idea what the gun is, or how much money is involved, or even what rifle calibre you are hoping to end up with, but maybe this reconversion could cost you rather more than the acquisition from an auction room in the first place.

I agree with what others have said about auctions, but it's not all rubbish. The 1892 Greener in my avatar was purchased through a Sussex auction house in the seventies; it's still going strong.

Yes, you are absolutely correct

 

[shootinguru]

Gun auctions are used by the trade to get rid of their rubbish!

 

[cockney21]

As with any auction there will be good and bad. Remember that almost any work on a gun now will require a re proof ( only if you intend to sell at any point in the future ) and for your safety and anyone one nearby rightly so.

Remember old guns can easily be butchered to make them feel tight...10 cartridges later they will be as completely off the face!

Some of the best buys are found at normal auctions selling off just a few guns as these tend to be estate disposal rather than people getting rid of old stock. Last one I got was a mint mid 60's AYA No.2 which had not been touched in years, probably sat in a safe for years until the owner passed away.

 

[chippy]

I always take a couple of cartridges with me when attending an auction. So I can try the gun out.  it's better to open a window and fire it out of there rather than just shooting at the floor. 

 

[Wonko the Sane]

I always take a couple of cartridges with me when attending an auction. So I can try the gun out.  it's better to open a window and fire it out of there rather than just shooting at the floor. 

And I've noticed that once the gun is loaded no one really interferes with the testing