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In the realm of used/antique firearm sales, one often hears, "That's an honest gun." or "This is an honest gun." Usually attributed to an item that shows some wear as would be expected. If you were to represent a gun for sale as "an honest gun", what criteria would prompt you to include that phrase in your attempt to sell?
On the other hand, if you are a potential buyer, what would you expect to see in a gun that was represented as an "honest gun". What would disqualify it and cause you to get your radar up when considering the purchase?
Since the term is somewhat subjective (and not itemized in collector's literature, aka: Blue Book, Standard Catalog) some variability in its definition is probable.
Here's my criteria:
1) All original with no modifications (exception here for accessories/modifications that would be correct for the time, and common on that particular gun: Marble's or Lyman sight on a Winchester for example). This is where the "honest gun" departs from the gun represented as "all original".
2) Exhibits ordinary wear for the gun's application and age. (This can be a LOT of wear and still be an "honest gun"). A target rifle might show much less age than a deer rifle of the same vintage (both "honest guns").
3) No evidence of refinishing or restoration. Repairs done properly and in no effort to hide a flaw are acceptable. Even a "field repair" not professionally done can "add" to the "honesty", I believe. (An old Indian gun with cracked wood repaired with sinew wrap of the time and at the time is an example.)
4) The gun is complete. no parts missing or replaced.
My criteria only. Perhaps I have overlooked something you consider important when seeing the frequent (sometimes too frequent in my opinion) phrase, "honest gun".
LIkewise, perhaps you consider one or more of my qualifications too strict or in need of including an exception.
On the other hand, if you are a potential buyer, what would you expect to see in a gun that was represented as an "honest gun". What would disqualify it and cause you to get your radar up when considering the purchase?
Since the term is somewhat subjective (and not itemized in collector's literature, aka: Blue Book, Standard Catalog) some variability in its definition is probable.
Here's my criteria:
1) All original with no modifications (exception here for accessories/modifications that would be correct for the time, and common on that particular gun: Marble's or Lyman sight on a Winchester for example). This is where the "honest gun" departs from the gun represented as "all original".
2) Exhibits ordinary wear for the gun's application and age. (This can be a LOT of wear and still be an "honest gun"). A target rifle might show much less age than a deer rifle of the same vintage (both "honest guns").
3) No evidence of refinishing or restoration. Repairs done properly and in no effort to hide a flaw are acceptable. Even a "field repair" not professionally done can "add" to the "honesty", I believe. (An old Indian gun with cracked wood repaired with sinew wrap of the time and at the time is an example.)
4) The gun is complete. no parts missing or replaced.
My criteria only. Perhaps I have overlooked something you consider important when seeing the frequent (sometimes too frequent in my opinion) phrase, "honest gun".
LIkewise, perhaps you consider one or more of my qualifications too strict or in need of including an exception.