Webley Pistol Collectors - Test your market knowledge

[I. J.]

I wont be bidding.

[Garvin]

One thing this thought provoking thread has shown is how subjective valuations really are. It just goes to show at best they are estimates and should be considered a rough guide only.

John

True, John, but I'd say this is not so much a valuation as a rough prediction of what someone out there might pay in an auction situation. I know the difference is quite subtle, but when I do (admittedly subjective) valuations, I'm balancing what someone out there might pay with a notional 'true value' ie. of one gun versus another, rather than a pure market prediction.

So, for example, I would put a cap on the value of a Junior because if it went too high, you might as well have a Senior or a Premier for only a little bit more.

But how much someone (albeit pretty desperate) might pay for eg. a Webley oil can or bottle in competition with another desperate soul on the auction site, seems largely unconstrained by relative values. Surely that is why they can spend as much on an empty tin can as on a lovely condition Webley Senior!

I've lost my train of thought now and even I don't understand what I'm saying, but I think I did when I started... Doh!

[laverdabru]

£455, & not a penny more - not that I'd bid, anyway.

[Mark D]

£455, & not a penny more - not that I'd bid, anyway.

The whole idea of this thread as outlined at the onset, was for those who collect Webleys or watch auction prices to see how well they know the 'market value' of Webley pistols. It's not what 'you' would pay for one. The world of collecting extends well beyond this forum

[laverdabru]

The whole idea of this thread as outlined at the onset, was for those who collect Webleys or watch auction prices to see how well they know the 'market value' of Webley pistols. It's not what 'you' would pay for one. The world of collecting extends well beyond this forum

Lighten up, Mark, it was not intended as a bid, more a light hearted comment/joke...as I would have thought was obvious.
Apologies if I offended you, but really...

Bru

[Geezer]

I might go along to that sale, and to the viewing, if I can get some time off, because they aren't too far from me, and I'd enjoy looking at the lots, some of which are quite special, not just the Webleys.

Auctions fascinate me. A good friend of my dad's who was very good to me when I was a teenager (long since deceased, sadly, the sort of nice uncle I never had) ran a rural auction house when I was growing up, and I briefly worked for a different auctioneers years ago, so picked up some of the tricks of the trade.

They are like casinos (I don't gamble). A lot of theatre, designed to get people to act irrationally and part with their money.

My auction tip is to work out in advance (taking account of buyer's premium, VAT, etc) exactly what your top bid is on something you like, and then write yourself a note saying so and keep it with you on the day. Get a friend/significant other to witness it, if you like. It helps. And stick to it.

Like Kenny Rogers sang, you have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, and know when to walk away.

Some auction houses tend to delberately under-estimate the special stuff to lure buyers in. I am not saying Holts do that, and know less about Webleys than everyone else on this thread, but I'd say £900, plus premium/tax.

Of course, without being too Zen, this thread may affect what is paid, by influencing potential buyers.

[Josie & John]

True, John, but I'd say this is not so much a valuation as a rough prediction of what someone out there might pay in an auction situation. I know the difference is quite subtle, but when I do (admittedly subjective) valuations, I'm balancing what someone out there might pay with a notional 'true value' ie. of one gun versus another, rather than a pure market prediction.

So, for example, I would put a cap on the value of a Junior because if it went too high, you might as well have a Senior or a Premier for only a little bit more.

But how much someone (albeit pretty desperate) might pay for eg. a Webley oil can or bottle in competition with another desperate soul on the auction site, seems largely unconstrained by relative values. Surely that is why they can spend as much on an empty tin can as on a lovely condition Webley Senior!

I've lost my train of thought now and even I don't understand what I'm saying, but I think I did when I started... Doh!

I think I know what you mean Danny and as someone who recently paid the price of a good Lincoln for a box of pellets, I take your point. This is after all a rather special lot and beyond ordinary valuations in the strictest sense. Heck, I don't have that Webley label and may even bid myself!

John

[micky]

I will go with £950 hammer price as l think someone will go mad on the day, but not me.

[Abasmajor]

Hi,

Interesting that the pre-war cased Senior (Lot 630) is estimated at £500-£800 whereas rarer post-war cased Senior is a lower £400-£600.

The oil can on the pre-war Senior is also a Parker Hale can rather than a original Webley.

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com...9711&saletype=

The item that I find most difficult to value individually is the case as Iv'e haven't come across any for sale that weren't part of a set.

I guess we can't expect auctioneers to be aware of every, sometimes seemingly minor difference that increases rarity and therefore value.

Still can't see this lot making over £900 inclusive of fees though.

Regards

Brian

[Abasmajor]

I think I know what you mean Danny and as someone who recently paid the price of a good Lincoln for a box of pellets, I take your point. This is after all a rather special lot and beyond ordinary valuations in the strictest sense. Heck, I don't have that Webley label and may even bid myself!

John

Hi John,

Gentleman's Corner rules dictate that if you weaken and make a bid it MUST NOT exceed the £650 hammer estimation already recorded earlier in this thread.

Regards

Brian

[harvey_s]

On the basis that 2 others have nicked my best guess I'll drop in my guess at £800 hammer price.

I'm wnodering if this is a cunning ploy to gauge where the biddings going

[Josie & John]

Hi John,

Gentleman's Corner rules dictate that if you weaken and make a bid it MUST NOT exceed the £650 hammer estimation already recorded earlier in this thread.

Regards

Brian

Not sure I could afford much more than that anyway at the mo Brian!

John

[Mark D]

On the basis that 2 others have nicked my best guess I'll drop in my guess at £800 hammer price.

I'm wnodering if this is a cunning ploy to gauge where the biddings going

Rumbled

[Sam99]

Hi,

Interesting that the pre-war cased Senior (Lot 630) is estimated at £500-£800 whereas rarer post-war cased Senior is a lower £400-£600.

The oil can on the pre-war Senior is also a Parker Hale can rather than a original Webley.

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com...9711&saletype=

The item that I find most difficult to value individually is the case as Iv'e haven't come across any for sale that weren't part of a set.
I guess we can't expect auctioneers to be aware of every, sometimes seemingly minor difference that increases rarity and therefore value.

Still can't see this lot making over £900 inclusive of fees though.

Regards

Brian

I paid 300:00 pounds a few months ago for an empty case.

Sam

[Abasmajor]

I paid 300:00 pounds a few months ago for an empty case.

Sam

Hi Sam,

I would have thought that £300 was about right, but it's nice to have positive confirmation for future reference.

Regards

Brian