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

Attachment 63051



They do finish up nicely...

Both of the above guns were engraved by Gournet.

Was browsing his site earlier.. Beautiful work, I love his woodcocks.

Very nice and can reside in my gun safe anytime!
Geoffroy engraves using the old hammer and chisel method
just like Parker Brothers engravers of years ago!
Well done Geoffroy! 👍😊

That woodcock on the floor plate is Geoffroy's 'signature woodcock'. He engraved the same bird in Bulino on the trigger guard bow of my 16 gauge lifter "Woodcock Gun".






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Another one...

Attachment 63052

And... one more.
This is a different gun than the one above.

Attachment 63053

Yea, and what did that little gem cost?

Someone correct me if I am wrong, and I could be; considering this is an A-1 Special, shouldn't the triggers be knurled on their faces? Does that explain, what some would consider, a reasonable & competitive price?

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101047296

I'm by no means an expert, but that seems pretty damn cheap..

Weird, so a 2 barrel set, but both sets are the same?

Your engraver would be the one to knurl the trigger faces.

And yes, that seems to be a reasonable price.

(Oops, except for the 14 7/8" LOP)






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I have done a custom Parker (Gunner's Gun) and you won't get A-1 style engraving for $5K not counting the prep work and case hardening. IMHO total cost to finish in original Parker A-1 style would be much closer to $10K and probably more.

The Galazan gun is not a bad deal and it's a straight grip. I even like the LOP. I haven't seen to many of these guns with what I'd consider nice wood however.

If it was done and done to Parker standards at the end of the day you have a nice A-1 for under $25K.

Yep, I guess I've come to expect knurled triggers due to the multitude of A-1 Specials I've lusted over that just so happen to be, finished guns, and I failed to make the distinction :vconfused:

I agree w/Kirk, that's a pretty fair price and I'd wager there's a misprint describing both sets of barrels as the same length & choked identical to one another. Doesn't seem two-trigger A-1's show up all that often and hopefully someone amongst our group will snatch this one up.

That gun is a great buy.

Does the 7lb 10oz weight seem high? I thought the repro 12 gauge guns were closer to 7lbs and a few oz.

Ken

Maybe the 7lb., 10oz. Weight is with the longer set of barrels.........:cool:







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A 1 1/2 frame 12 isn't a light gun to begin with so the weight seems in range to me. I thought both sets of barrels were listed as 26 inch. If this were a 16 or a 20 it would be gone. Daisy needs a gun in her honor also:)

I've never weighed my 12 gauge reproduction, but I have a 12 gauge 28" 1 1/2 frame PH that weighs less than some 1 frame 16's.

Most 12's I've eyeballed seem to hover around 7lb as well. While the weight of this one seems a bit more than I personally prefer, it doesn't seem out of whack. Plus, as Dean pointed out, that may very well be a weight with 28" barrels so..

Rich - if that was a 20 or a 16, the listing would have never made it to this post b/c the gun would be on its way to me. My long ago-lost Deputy needs a gun engraved in his honor & it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings to have his great, great nephew Kansas honoring his point engraved upon that same gun either. Some day.

Frankly, I'm surprised the gun's still available.

*Edited to add: I forgot to mention that 28" barrels might add 3-4oz vs 26" barrels. If that's off, I'm sure someone smarter than me will chime-in.

Scott I'm sure Deputy will have his gun someday. Every time I go out with Gunner's gun whether it's to shoot clays or birds he's with me.

Someday I'd like to put Ilsa (Gunner's mom) Gunner and Daisy all on one gun. Ike comes a week from Sunday and shows promise so by the time I'm ready and I find just the right gun maybe he will be added to the mix. It would make for a real bird dog gun:)

You're right Scott, and let's not forget the extra 1/2" of walnut that would add at least a few ounces as well.





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The weight of a gun is a subjective number as there are so many things that effect it. The 0 frame 16 is a sought after gun due to it's lighter weight but I have 0 frame 16's that are heavier than 1 frame 16's.

If it balances correctly and isn't muzzel or butt heavy then to me the weight isn't a big deal....up to a point.

I love the idea of custom shotguns built in tribute to someone’s bird dog.. Just shows the affect these dogs can have on people.

I guess I'll still be a contrarian. A heavy gun is a heavy gun to be carrying all day in the uplands. A heavy gun is for waterfowl or clays. I do agree the "feel" of a gun is affected by more than just weight. The repro for sale seems heavy for a double trigger gun with straight grip and a splinter. I don't think you'll see many DT, SG A1 special repros for sale, but I just can't see why it is 7lbs 10oz.

Ken

Well, I talked to them..

“There was a mistake in the ad. It is a 1 barrel gun with no case.”

Kinda pricey...





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A few years ago, I couldn't afford to have a gun engraved with Freckles, my favorite Setter I ever owned, and Ruby, my first Vizsla, so I commissioned Mark Larson to paint them in gold leaf on the stock of a 16 hammer gun he put together for me....The three of us still on a least one hunt a year together, although those two never met in real life!

The risk of being to cheap on the engraving of an A1 is to "ruin" the gun and make its sale difficult . Above as exemple is this A1 blued , sold as cheap as its finish . Good it was possible to remove the finish .But if the customization is not at least as nice than the factory or not done in the style , it may not be a good idea . That should be done for the pleasure , not for the investment .

Being too cheap with the engraving could make the resale very difficult , like at first it appeared with this A1 custom blued .