Prices

Quality field-grade guns in very good to excellent condition seem to be running several thousand dollars or more. Some go higher (tens of thousands).

Best-grade guns generally run in the tens of thousands to The Sky's The Limit. Literally.

Guns

The guns themselves vary considerably.

Boxlock or sidelock? Extractors or ejectors? Barrel lengths and chokes? (They'll be fixed chokes, of course.) Pistol grip or straight? LOP? Drop? etc...

All of these things and more will be spec'd and fully described in the listings by the better dealers of high-end doubles. Their websites will also have high-quality pictures, not a bunch of defocused snapshots taken with a cellphone.

English Brands

• Gibbs (sometimes at 'bargain' prices)
• Westley-Richards (sort of middle of the road in terms of prices)
• Holland & Holland (usually high)
• Purdey (sky high)
• To name just a few...

I don't know all of them by any means. I only know these are 'good'.

Dealers

There are quite a few reputable dealers in the double gun trade, so unless I knew exactly what I wanted, I'd do a Google search for something like 'double gun dealer [State]', and look for shops that are within driving distance.

That allows the guns to be tried for fit, in addition to the usual eyes-on inspection of the mechanics and finish.

Good stock fit is absolutely vital in a shotgun. If you're going to invest thousands or more on a used English double gun, it's probably a good idea to examine it in person before plunking down that much cash.

HTH

--

JACQUA'S
Findley, OH

Has been around for quite a while. Competent people will give you avice about your friend's quest. It's a real wealth, but there will be a variety of 'personalities'. Steer around the assorted potshots of interpersonal acrimony that popup, and do some 'advice mining' from the assorted discussion history. Also, the prospective owner needs to consider WHAT he will use the gun for. It's weight, stocking, chambers, proofing, chokes, are all dependent [more of less] on that issue. Many older guns are 2 1/2" chambered. And there is great deal of difference between a MAX pheasant load in wide-open Nebraska and woodcock in a Michigan thicket.

I second Jaqua's, down by Finlay Ohio. They also have a web site. As well, some search engine work will give numerous seller sites in the US and England: to get an idea of prices.

Please post the general locale of the fellow, and meaybe I can steer him to one the good guys from DGS, who could be of service to him.

I'll add that Cabela's Gunroom has lots of goods, and wide variety of 'pricing'. They aren't always that knowledgeable,either. So, they can be picked.

For one of the finer choices, a pre-WW2 Sauer is still a very good bargain, in lightly engraved, boxlock, double trigger, non-ejector SxS. The materials and interior finishing are every bit as good on their production guns, as just about any bespoke ever made, according to an old gunsmith friend of mine. Just remember: it's a subject that isn't 'off the rack' or one size fits all.

BTW, It's really hard to wrong with a 30-50 year old Browning/SKB DT gun -- mostly made by Mirouku in Japan. 1st quality in terms of material and mfg.

This subject really needs a book. ;~`) Sionce there some hundreds of old and new titles, be sure to ask WHAT book[s] would be suitable for your Friend. Get them on interlibrary loan of buy 'reader' of the 'Net. The thing to remember is" don't get froggy and impulsive. You see, that's exactly how most of the folks I know got started; by the time you get the first gun, and then second to remedy what the first didn't have, and then the third one to remedy what the second didn't have.... :~`)

are for sale. My old blackpowder & double gun mentor is now noncompos mentis and in care. Three of his trusted friends are liquidating his 'estate'. The price is 1000.00 for all, plus a about a hundred pounds shipping from Toledo, Ohio area. The cost to 'assemble' such a set piece by piece, would be nearly twice that.

For a 'beginner', there is an education in them, that would have taken decades of study to assemble, book by book.

For an old hand? Well, I was pretty cognizant of mine own knowledge shortcomings when I flipped through the volumes, while packing them. They are in fine condition, BTW. Couldn't even tell they'd been read. And yessss!!!, in my heart I lusted after them! ;~`)