George;
My fiance lost her daughter 5 years ago. There is'nt a day goes by that she does'nt think about her but she has solace in knowing that she is in peace with the Lord. Your kids just should'nt die before you but life is very cruel. My brother who died unexpectedly 7 years ago was a blow to my parents. I just lost my dad on Oct. 19th, and although he was 97 he never expected to outlive has youngest child. Carry on my friend for your daughter's sake. God bless.

Sounds like an analogous situation to the 1994 cult film, Reality Bites The film tells the story of an aspiring videographer working on a documentary called "Reality Bites" about the disenfranchised lives of her friends and roommates, a bunch of 30-somethings. Their challenges exemplify some of the career and lifestyle choices faced by Generation X.

Let me fast-forward to "Generation X plus 40 years":
Like George, some recent experiences, not all good, have involved my participation in the appraisal and attempted sale of what I perceived to be some very valuable guns in varying degrees of "high" condition and originality. Unfortunately, my perceptions were singular, based on values and conditions of what were considered very desirable firearms "back in the day". I then underwent (as a requirement of sale) two separate appraisals, 9 months apart. The results and impact are very much what like George describes; their value(s) had except in a very few cases diminished considerably, and in fact the appraisers in both cases cited "moderate to highly inflated estimates of condition and value" (bearing in mind that none of these guns had been appraised in over 30+ years).

It is indeed a bitter pill to swallow sometimes, but as the author of the fabulous book, "Objects of Desire", a seminal guide to the vagaries and intricacies of the antique trade, puts it, "If you really want to know what it's worth, send it to auction!" Caveat Consignor.

George, did they give you a value on each individual gun or a lump sum? I'm not sure I understand this situation, are you saying they wouldn't give you a copy of what value they placed on the guns? That's strange.

George
My recent experience , conversations with several dealers, and auction house results has shown me that the SxS market is definitely in the loo and someone pulled the handle. This is especially true of 12ga and even true of small ga Parkers. This too will pass but maybe not in our lifetime. In the high grade , high condition market 2 of maybe 5-6 buyers have backed away.
Best of luck
David

I agree with David. Young folks, even if they are shooters, are not interested in SxS guns. My two grandsons, both Master Class sporting clays shooters, look at my Parkers amd M21's and Fox as curiosities. Go to a gun show. The only two things which have increased at them is beef jerky sales and walkers/canes. Not what a growing (or even stable) market looks like. Enjoy your SxS's but recognize that as a class, they are not going to be increasing in value

George, I'm sorry I've come to this thread late, but I am truly sorry for your loss of your daughter. I simply do not know how empty one must feel loosing a child. The holidays are the toughest time, worse if you don't know the true meaning of Christmas.
I have several friends who work for WHOI, and The Nat'l Marine Fisheries Lab in Kingston RI. I will let my good friend Jack know, as he knew anybody and everybody.
I am at the age where I too, should be thinking of thinning my collection down, but the spirit keeps moving me for "just one more".

I agree that the market has changed dramatically.However,what I am seeing in my appraisal business is that really mint collector class guns are bringing more than ever. What has changed is the mid level condition guns that people used to buy to hunt with has gone.Those were the guns that held the market up.Mr.Dallas is correct that young shooters now shoot over unders or semi autos.The double gun market is turning into a pure collector market.This is not only true for doubles,but all "claasic" guns.Winchesters,Colts,etc. are all seeing the same change.

Auction houses are usually all about optomism and selling you on their ability to get the most money for your item. Maybe they honestly felt that their apprasal was what the guns were worth. ???