32" vs 30"

[BS]

All that I have learned about collecting anything is that the value of an item is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it, and that only takes one person to shell out the cash and when he sells the item it could be for a loss or a profit.
-Brett

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Brett Souder

All that I have learned about collecting anything is that the value of an item is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it, and that only takes one person to shell out the cash and when he sells the item it could be for a loss or a profit.
-Brett

There is truth in that. Market transactions are typically defined as prudent actions of well informed buyers and sellers acting in their best interest. Throw in an element of passion into that definition/discussion and things get spun off into an alternate reality of a different market and participants. I think that is what amazed me. Some collect guns they cherish to shoot, others collect just to cherish.

Dare say we are all hunters on this site. I am passionate about duck hunting just as much as the the next avid duck hunter, but if you calculated all the money spent in pursuit on a cost per duck harvested.... Do yourself a favor and don't. Wife is a CPA got shown that once.

[C grade]

Todd
I also was amazed but his estimate of value between 95% and 98% but have immense respect for his opinion as that is the area he plays in.
Rich
You are a braver man than I am! I took a $20K Italian 28ga gun shooting, tripped and snapped the stock. That cost me $10,000 . Th reason I am selling some guns is I do not shoot them because of their high condition ,as with the CHE 12 LBG I just listed
David

[C.O.B.]

David I like to use them albeit carefully. I have had NIB guns before and sold them. In January while riding in the hunting buggy during our quail hunt Gunner's Gun suffered a deep scratch from a latch on the gun box. It really pissed me off but as soon as I got home it went to the smith and he made it good as new.
A couple of years ago I took a bad spill in the grouse woods with a CHE 20. According to TPS it's one of eight produced with 26 inch Damascus barrels. I bent my glasses and had a bruise on my arm from wrist to elbow but the gun didn't get hurt.

I'll have a couple of high condition guns to shoot at Drakes. Why save them for the next guy? Some heir might get less for them but ask me if I care

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

David I like to use them albeit carefully. I have had NIB guns before and sold them. In January while riding in the hunting buggy during our quail hunt Gunner's Gun suffered a deep scratch from a latch on the gun box. It really pissed me off but as soon as I got home it went to the smith and he made it good as new.
A couple of years ago I took a bad spill in the grouse woods with a CHE 20. According to TPS it's one of eight produced with 26 inch Damascus barrels. I bent my glasses and had a bruise on my arm from wrist to elbow but the gun didn't get hurt.

I'll have a couple of high condition guns to shoot at Drakes. Why save them for the next guy? Some heir might get less for them but ask me if I care

Dave I was with Rich when he pulled Gunners gun out from the gun box, I must say he handled it very well... My Holland 28 was on the inside of that box so I was lucky (should have played the lotto ! ) But I hunted with Holland 28 for two days and enjoyed every minute of it. It's my most expensive gun but if I can't shoot it then I don't need it and that was the reason why I sold my collection of D grades (8ga through 410) that were 95% or better condition guns, as they just sat on the wall and I enjoyed them and I enjoyed the ten year hunt for them, but I couldn't shoot them so off they went to another collector who got to enjoy them.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by David Dwyer

Todd
I also was amazed but his estimate of value between 95% and 98% but have immense respect for his opinion as that is the area he plays in.

The gentlemen you and Dean are referring to sounds like an expert's, expert when it comes to that "as new" niche market. I am sure in parlance of that arena there are distinct differences that make up a fine line between a 95% to 98% rated condition that has been alluded to. What sounds like something so slight or subtle of a difference to me seems to produces a big swing in pricing/value, and that is what fascinates me and if it is a consistent rule of thumb or an anomaly. I guess it depends if your a buyer or seller regarding your posture on a particular item. I am sure that multiplier could change as well depending on someone's wants, resources and needs.

Anyway a great discussion and learned something. One of my favorite quotes comes from an orthopedic surgeon that even in his 70's is at the top his game and cutting edge when it comes to sports injuries and treating them. All the pro athletes that have issues somehow make their way to see him when they have challenging issues. Instead of slowing down he is trying to expand the practice. When asked why he just said "If you aren't green, you're not growing"