There aren’t a few rules to gun collecting. “Cash rules” is one of them. So is “Oral agreements are worth the paper they’re written on.”
Another rule is “Original condition is king”. The more of it a double has, the more it costs (and “restored” never compares to original). The side-by-sides below are perfect examples of the high prices that shotguns in original condition can command. Check them out to see what original finishes really look like, and how much they’ll cost you.
LEFEVER “H” GRADE 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN: 16 gauge, 28″ damascus steel barrels, double triggers, extractors, and top lever opening. Checkered forend and pistol grip buttstock measuring 14″ to a factory buttplate. Comb: 1 3/4″ Heel: 3″ Weight: 6lbs 11oz. Retaining 99% original barrel brown, 99% plus vivid casehardened finish. Beautiful wood and checkering. Appears unused. Mint bores. Chokes: mod & full. Price: $6750.00
A H Fox A Grade 20 Gauge Automatic Ejectors Philadelphia: A H FOX, PHIL., A GRADE 20 GAUGE, 26″ BARRELS. EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES, IC & MODIFIED (RIGHT BARREL .007, LEFT .017), CLEARLY MARKED NUMBER FOUR BARREL WEIGHT. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, ATTRACTIVE DEEP CUT ENGRAVING, LIGHT CASE COLOR, TOP LEVER TO THE FAR RIGHT, VERY STRONG EJECTORS. MOST OF THE BLUE ON THE TRIGGER GUARD. ROUND KNOB PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, EXCELLENT WOOD, PERFECT CHECKERING. ORIGINAL BUTTPLATE, 1 1/2 X 2 5/8″ X 14 1/8″, 5 POUNDS 8 OUNCES. MADE IN 1926. ALL ORIGINAL FINISH. NICE LITTLE FOX. Price: $5,000.00
