As always it depends...

I can think of one example where an older gun in original condition would be worth far more then a newer gun in similar condition.

An early CH with original Bernard barrels would go for much more on this forum at least then a similar 20s or 30s era CH or CHE that might have arguably better or should we say more appealing engraving?

Likewise I would rather own a DH from about 1919 or whenever prior for the same reasons as Dean. Plus, I am always a sucker for a nice damascus DH or CH with a dog on the floor.

I think on the open market you see the appearance of higher prices for newer guns for 2 reasons. Guns from the 20s on tend to be in better condition and for the shooting public at least, there is still a premium/discount going on in relation to fluid steel vs. Damascus barrels. Not nearly as muchas there once was, but it is still present.

Heck I even talked to one of the guys at Puglisis a bit back about a Damascus gun and he lamented it not having fluid steel barrels as they would probably be asking a grand more for it.

A Damascus GHE 20 from 1907. I don't see how it could get any better for this grade. I do think that the Remington era guns have better dimensions in some cases

Rarity, condition, additional features, and sometimes provenance will establish a guns value. Personal preferences and age have little to do with a guns value. If a gun has enough desirable features and is priced fairly it will sell. Many of the desirable features offered by PARKER BROS. did not exist until later half of there history.

Mark Ray's post #14 says it all. It is a rubic's cube situation with so many variables that no one can figure out value based on one, two, or three different features. There are dozens of factors and features that determine value and desire to own. Age is only one of them. Think about it. When shopping .410s, age is irrelevant. When shopping 10s, age is very relevant. The gun itself is the selling point. Age is not often more important than condition, although an old gun with condition often trumps a newer gun with condition. When the condition gets higher, age becomes less important.

I wonder how Fjestad does it....?






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I'd give a slight edge to guns fitted with the 1910 bolt and bolt plate over earlier guns without, all other things being equal. Unlike several above, I've been looking to ensconce a late Remington era gun in my gun room. Would prefer 26- or 28-inch barrels and open bores.

Fjestad doesn't have to worry about it. He doesn't do it alone. He herds experts into his corral and tries to get them to work together to come up with a good result. In some cases, he relies on one expert to write up one brand. I can't believe his Parker corral only includes one person. Hopefully, at least a half dozen writers get together to come up with the end result. I don't know who they are in the Parker group, but I hope it isn't one person.

The vignettes on earlier guns were defined in a nice oval, but later guns that definition is less clear.

Love the heads on those setters!!