Cyprus-Forum.com

[Nikitas]

Yes I remember the rise and fall of the hammer gun. One of those found its way to Greece, a doctor friend bought it, actually I wanted it and praised it to him. He listened carefully and then he went and bought it.

It is a 16 bore Holland round bodied back action. It is the best handling gun I have ever held. He promised he would let me mike the barrels to allow me to check one of my pet theories.

[purdey]

Price Street Birmingham.The old gun quarter,still some good people working there.

[Nikitas]

English workmen would no doubt build it, but retail at 1200 Euros? Doubt it. I really believe there would be a market for such a hammer gun if it is marketed the right way. My dealer friends disagree and insist the market is strictly OU or auto. But on the other hand they import used hammer guns which do find buyers.

[purdey]

I must get myself back to Athens,there seems to be some fine guns there.How much is a room in the Grand Brittania nowadays ?

[Nikitas]

I asked the other day for an American relative who is coming to town. They quoted something like 400 Euros per night for a double. It might be less if you can book it from overseas, which is usually the way.

Two of my friends deal in hand made shotguns. I am also involved in the business but in another way, in the hunting media. Therefore I do not sell guns to protect my professional standing. The few I got rid of were either swapped or given away as gifts.

[purdey]

There is a 60% profit on a new gun in the UK,on a good second hand hammer you would be lucky to get 20%.
The nice hammers find there way to the USA,but this seems to be slowing down.Holts is a good auction house in the UK now,they certainly pick up some nice hammers.

[Nikitas]

That is the margin my dealer friends work on with used best guns- 20 per cent. The odd opportunity is in French guns which go for a song in most British auctions but are highly sought after here.

[purdey]

I shipped some Baikals to Cyprus six years ago.They were mostly single barreled,at auction I paid £10 for two.I believe they sold very quickly in Cyprus for £100 each.

[Nikitas]

Aha, the Baikal IZ18. I got one a few weeks ago. It is a project gun, because I have a fine piece of walnut which is only 42mm thick, not enough for a SXS or OU, so I needed a single to fit it on. The Baikal is the only one which is all steel, it is also an assisted opener and fairly ergonomic with that underlever. So soon I should have a Baikal single with best walnut stock. At 2.4 kilos (20 bore) it will kick like a schmuck I am sure, but it will be so pretty!

[Nikitas]

I am off to my weekly editorial meeting. There should also be a new test gun there, most likely a Benelli, to write about. Autos are efficient but they feel more like plumbing jobs than guns. Dont tell that to the readers, they will think I am a snob.