long barreled guns at Jaqua's

[ArtS]

Bill had some fantastic stories and momentos of his war years I heard and saw several times while there. I used to go in and buy quite a few guns when I travelled there regularly on business. This was thirty or so years ago. In those days, they only lived for trap and sporting clays. I always went in and combed the racks for old doubles. They seemed to treat them as a necessary evil, often didn't know a lot about them and didn't seem to care. I bought several, including a mint 16 Sterlingworth with gorgious wood and the hang tag still on it, a few beautiful old Ithacas, and the most richly appointed German damascus double I have seen with molded in exterior reinforcing ribs formed into the barrel exterior complete with gold line inlay on each rib. All these were bought for a song. I also remember going in once and having to walk around a stack of of Parker Repros in boxes stacked to what looked like 4 feet high, and 8 feet long with a big sign on top that said $1895 for any you want.

In the last few years it seems there has been a decision to jump on the rise of the double market, especially Parker and certain Euro models. Their asking prices quite frankly to me appear to be astronomical. And as mentioned, I check only every 3-4 months and seem to see the same listings over and over.

[Bill Murphy]

I can't argue with those who point out Jaqua's upscale prices. At this time, he has a gun that was owned by a late friend of 40 years ago. It is priced quite a bit higher than similar guns in his inventory and, a couple of years ago, I phoned and tried to negotiate a better deal. My negotiation was denied and they still have the gun at the original price.