I have a bizarre interest in what they call "hardware store" shotguns. There are guns made by old double makers like Crescent Arms for sale in catalogs, hardware store, and mail order. They typically were made pre WW2 for "the trade". I am interested in these because they were bought and used, and used hard.
In the barn, in the truck, on the tractor....these guns were worked, as they were intended. Thus, seeing one in pristine condition is rare, and in fact, I have just seen my first one after a number of years of looking.
I came across an American Arms (Crescent Arms made) 32" F&F side lock style double in absolute pristine condition. The case colors are brilliant and it has 98% barrel blue and the wood is perfect. The ONLY one like this I have ever seen.
The problem is that he wants $795 for it and I like to trade more than put out cash.
I have a virtually "new in the box" 1943 made H&R 999 Sportsman (not rare in and of itself but absolutely NIB) with original paper and brochure. The box is numbered to the gun and it is perfect NEW in all respects. This gun was H&R's top of the line 22 in those days.
My dilemma is that I also have a 1960's 98% Colt Officer's Model Match that I shoot with some regularity. I could trade that towards this gun. The OMM is my favorite shooter....H&G #51 w/ 4 gr WW231.....pick the hair off a fly's butt at 25 yards....
I would be trading one gun or the other (the H&R is impossible to replace) along with a bit of cash towards another gun that is impossible to find.
I really want to shoot the H&R some day. The H&R with 22 shorts would be a great shooter. The OMM can be replaced, but the H&R can't. One gun I shoot the other is a safe queen.
What would YOU do?