where to look for classics?

[Mole trapper]

I've had it with gun* and the other one! So much crap on there, coupled with the chancers and messers
I've been on the look out for a fwb 124-7 and an original 45-50 for ages, they have to be in good condition though, quite a lot come up on the internet sellers mentioned but once you get them to start talking sensible prices you start to find the problems with the rifles, eventually they are practically begging you to take them cheap for a quick sale.
Then you start looking all over again!
So how do you find out where these auctions are, or collectors selling up etc?

[gingernut]

Kempton Park
25 March 2018

[Mole trapper]

Kempton Park
25 March 2018

Blimey that was quick! And helpful, thank you.

[tinbum]

Blimey that was quick! And helpful, thank you.

And I really want to make this one. Fancy a lift Jamie?

[Mole trapper]

And I really want to make this one. Fancy a lift Jamie?

I shall have to consult my Filofax
Joking aside I'm not certain I can make it, we will only have been back from our break four or five days. But I am keen, I won't deny it.

[Drew451]

I have picked up good Originals on here, the two sites you mention and Freeads. Auctions are a good source and you can get bargains there and elsewhere.
You have to try and steer round the shite which isnt always easy to spot at distance. Continue to bide your time and watch sales here. There are a lot of good sellers on the BBS.

[Binners]

I shall have to consult my Filofax
Joking aside I'm not certain I can make it, we will only have been back from our break four or five days. But I am keen, I won't deny it.

According to AGW and Gunmart, there has never been so many second hand, Vintage and collectable air guns under one roof in the UK before 25th June 2017, then it got better on 15th October.

Damn handsome chap in charge of car parks too

[Geezer]

The best finds are when a friend of a friend wants to get rid of his dad or uncle's old airgun. Of course, that often turns out to be a rusty Gamo with a bent barrel and cracked stock. But sometimes even now it's a VGC Webley MkIII, early HW77, or similar, for peanuts.

Auctions are still good, especially local general auctioneers who aren't good at valuing stuff and may not usually attract shooters as most of the sale is furniture, jewelry, etc. One near me was selling a lot of the latter a while ago, but also a decent PCP and a Theoben rammer at very low estimates (I was busy, so missed the sale).

You are unlikely to find bargains at the big gun auctions, like Holts. But I have got a few good deals from their sealed bid auctions (as I live and work in London, it's not too hard for me to get to the viewing, which is critical in determining whether to bid or not - their descriptions on the cheap stuff are usually not very informative).

Binners' Kempton Park fairs are bloody excellent.

Of the dealers, Protek in Bognor are into older guns, have good stock, and don't ask stupid money.

And you can still - just, despite the Internet - find the occasional RFD who specialises in FAC/SGC and under-values an old airgun that they know and care little about. Though I fear that the days when an old Mk1 Airsporter would be offered for less than a later Mk6S "because its old and can't be as good" are long gone.

Oh, and on here, obviously.

[Shed tuner]

you should have bought that fwb off me last year

But yes, kempton park and on here are defo the best sources outside of club contacts and word-of-mouth.

[D10bore]

Are you allowed to mention gun*on the forum mike