News Shooting Shotgun

Why do re-sleeved antique shotguns command a lower price?

Antique shotguns: I can’t understand why a top quality gun fitted with sleeved barrels by the original maker should command a lower price than one given a complete new barrel set by the same craftsman.

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Does the price imply sleeved barrels are inferior to the originals?

ANTIQUE SHOTGUNS
Mike George
If you watch TV programmes devoted to antiques, you will note that collectors are always prepared to pay a premium for articles which are 100% original.

It doesn?t matter what the items are ? anything from Chippendale furniture to classic American cars.

It?s just the way things are.

With a sleeved gun, it is also true that, however well the work is done, very careful examination may reveal the join between the old and new metals, and, no matter whether the barrel set is new or sleeved, the tubes will bear new proof marks.

Inferior to the originals? Probably not in strength.

With modern steels it is possible for replacement or sleeved tubes to be stronger than the originals.