It’s also telling on the final bid to see how it got there. When you’re there in person, you can see how many bidders are after a particular gun. There’s always the two bidder duel, but when several phone bidders hold up cards andthere are several floor bidders, it’s telling about what’s popular with collectors.

I bet being there in person was fun.

Like others said, I was surprised by some of the prices, but I have never considered myself qualified to give prices.

Mills, I, like you, have little expertise in appraising guns, but I have gotten better at predicting what they’ll go for. I have also learned the guns I bid on always go high…and then realize I am the cause of it. :banghead:

Rock Island puts on a class act — a buffet party-like gathering the night of the viewing day, and good lunches each day of the auction. Their preview hall is wonderfully set up. This time they had built a old west saloon-like structure inside the hall to house part of an old west collection.

When I check in to get a bidder number, I don’t have to give my name anymore — they know me and Elaine (not sure that’s all that good). You pay a lot in fees, but you do get some back in little perks.

Does anybody know the price of the Parker 28 gauge(Lot 1414)? Also Lot 1434-a model 21 Grand American. The Parker was more of a shooter grade gun than a collector piece. I would have bid on the Grand American 21 if it had been a 20 gauge.

John, I watched the Parker sell, but I forgot the price, but I'm pretty sure it went for a price within the estimate, as I recall telling my wife it went for less than I thought it would. I looked at the gun. I was in very good condition and had lots of what appeared to be original finish. I would have bid, but it had lots of drop...too much for me.

Sorry, I don't follow the 21s, but I did look them over and there were some nice ones.

The 28ga Parker VH sold for $13.8K. I kinda liked the Grade 1 hammer gun with Laminate barrels it sold for $2875.

I can appreciate these auctions for bringing together some fine guns but I can not abide with this "buyer premium" stuff. Just me and perhaps I'll get over it but at 75 yo I dont think I have the time. LOL

I picked up a BH project from an obscure auction in Virginia. To be continued . . .

I couldn't agree more. On desirable guns that usually bring a premium anyway the buyers premium of 15% to 20% (charged to buyers and sellers) usually puts the guns value way more than they are worth. With that said-I try to only buy guns at auction that I can't find elsewhere.

There is the buyer's premium and then all the other "stuff" that gets tacked on. I used to read the fine print to figure it out, but now just add 30% to my bid and that generally covers it