The post-war American consumer/collector has always placed a premium on "new" stuff. Specifically, factory-new stuff.
If someone bought a new 1957 Chevrolet convertible and kept it in a garage for the past 61 years, collectors go nuts. Same for a 20-bore AH Parker that was purchased and never used for over 100 years.
But what's the "value" in factory-new? The Chevy was never enjoyed for what it was. And the Parker was never put to its intended use. Both are time-bound relics that no practical collector would either drive or shoot.
Give me an honest double gun that has seen use and care any day. And if it has been used to the point of distress, then restoration is justified.
The English take a different view on guns and gun maintenance. Just check Chris Batha's gun cleaning column in the current Shooting Sportsman...
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