A-1 Special “In the white”
 

Has anyone bought one of these? What would be a fair price? I’m thinking $5K to finish maybe?

Reason I ask is I’m seeing some of these advertised for more than the cost of factory A1 specials..

For the basis of a custom engraved gun I’m guessing in the long run this might be a better route than trying to find an original to start with.

I would think the price of engraving and to "finish" would depend greatly on who engraves it - how elaborately you want it done - style of engraving (fine rose & scroll / Bulino / deep chisel engraving / heavy relief) - metal finish (color case-harden / French gray) - gold inlays - Just a few things to think about which will affect the finish price.

$5K could actually be on the low side.





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I think Dean said it well, to me 5K to finish one will be on the very low side.

$5k may get you factory style traditionally cut A-1 engraving. With a little gold. And that is a price for JUST the engraving. Then add in rust bluing and case hardening on top of it. If you want more modern style Bulino engraving, you should double your engraving budget, or more.

Geoffroy Gournet has some examples of engraved guns on his website that include pricing for the work on the pictured guns. It may be a good thing for you to look at.

The going rate for an in the white A-1 two barrel set is usually in the $10k range. Give or take. The wood on these guns is fully finished and needs nothing, unless there is handling marks on it.

Last year one of these guns popped up on Gunbroker that was an ITW A-1 12g. single barrel gun that had been blued and case hardened, but not engraved and it sold for only $3,500. That was a great buy and would put you way ahead if you were to redo it with engraving. Funny enough, I saw the same gun on a dealer's table at the Southern for just over double what it sold for on GB. Of course I only assume it is the same gun.

CSMC has a 20g. just like the 12g. I mentioned above, but it is priced around $9k if I recall.

It seems to me that when Galazan was moving the last of their inventory they were getting around $7k. That was quite a few years ago though. At that time I thought seriously about buying one. That is, until I checked on the cost of engraving. I think your $5k estimate is very conservative.

I would no more get one of these guns engraved than I would dye my bird dogs in a pink hue.

I'd buy one.

Kirk, where are you seeing factory completed A-1 Specials for less than those that are in-the-white? Please use the PM system to reply if you see a 28-ga. 2-bbl. set w/SG, SPL & DT. Better use a PM, too; if you're seeing twenties in the same configuration. :coffee:

I've been looking at 12 gauges, but over the last few months that I've looked, I've seen factory A1 specials anywhere from $10-15,000.. During that time I've only seen 1 A1 special "in the white" listed for under $10,000.

This 12 2 barrel set on Gunbroker has been listed for months:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/771230333