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The Devizes gunsmith might also be an option for you, nice chap too

The only financial winner at an auction is the company running the event. It is interesting how many dealers I’ve spoken to in the last few years won’t touch them - in fact just one last week stated in his experience if you have desirable vintage rifles/ shotguns, the next owner will welcome understanding the background owner history to them before they commit. The provenance I was provided with for an item did indeed give me confidence to go ahead with a purchase. Too many auctions have become akin to car auctions dumping grounds. Rifles such as your Ross are recognised as rare and desirable. If I was in the market for one, no way could I risk such a purchase at an auction.

targetman wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 5:51 pm Dromia, do you want my old 7.62 Schmidt-Rubin action target rifle again???? I have sold it three times and always bought back...I must be nuts.

Sadly no. A fine and interesting rifle but I am no longer taking stock in as I am trying to reduce my stock levels as the gun trade is now dead as shooting dies in the UK. Unfortunately the only route left for disposing of guns is to have them destroyed which grieves me greatly. Chopped up four SMLEs recently which broke my heart.

dromia wrote: ↑Sun May 04, 2025 7:26 am

targetman wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 5:51 pm Dromia, do you want my old 7.62 Schmidt-Rubin action target rifle again???? I have sold it three times and always bought back...I must be nuts.

Sadly no. A fine and interesting rifle but I am no longer taking stock in as I am trying to reduce my stock levels as the gun trade is now dead as shooting dies in the UK. Unfortunately the only route left for disposing of guns is to have them destroyed which grieves me greatly. Chopped up four SMLEs recently which broke my heart.

That’s terrible to read you’ve chopped up rifles. Very sorry it was your last resort

I wasn't aware about the storage charges, that obviously changes the situation

dromia wrote: ↑Sun May 04, 2025 7:26 am

targetman wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 5:51 pm Dromia, do you want my old 7.62 Schmidt-Rubin action target rifle again???? I have sold it three times and always bought back...I must be nuts.

Sadly no. A fine and interesting rifle but I am no longer taking stock in as I am trying to reduce my stock levels as the gun trade is now dead as shooting dies in the UK. Unfortunately the only route left for disposing of guns is to have them destroyed which grieves me greatly. Chopped up four SMLEs recently which broke my heart.

A sad state of affairs are you still trading. Are you still selling reloading stuff etc.

Aye still trading selling the usual range. Stock levels vary with availability.

It is just the firearms I am currently no longer taking in, unless of course I have a sale lined up, guns are hardly moving so need to reduce the inventory. No point in storing things that have become worthless.

Over the last few years, we've managed to actually sell four rifles, and scrapped one. Another made a few quid at auction.
As we shoot frequently at Bisley, I can't help noticing that a large number of shooters are "of a certain age", (in my case, an "octo" ... )
Factor in rapidly rising costs, public disapproval of gun ownership, and falling disposable incomes, and it's obvious that something has to give.
We never buy anything, cars, hobby/sport related gear etc., expecting to get any of our money back.
To quote Lidl's, "when it's gone, it's gone".....

Pete

Pete...Oh so true. Combine that with the new security requirements and you see the present problem I have. I have been collecting and shooting rifles for 50 years, I have never had my security questioned in that time, now I either fit a completely pointless Police "monitored" alarm system or reduce my collection by half and have an intruder alarm. You know the type, a large yellow disc advertising that you may have something worth nicking in the house.

The problem with auction houses is that should the rifles not sell then eventually you have to take them back, which puts you right back where you started.

As a footnote: I received letters from Sussex/Surrey police last week to advise me to submit my renewal application asap...it is not due until the end of October...what the heck is going on????

Just a thought - maybe worth speaking to Mike Noble?