What should I do with an "extra" Pedersoli Bess I got pretty cheap?

Britsmoothy said:

Unless it's owner was killed and then his long arm scavenged a week later off the battlefield!

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Teddydog said:

Thanks for the thoughts, folks. It seems like shortening it is an option, but I fear that would cost a bit of money and the end result would be worth less. Though maybe fun to shoot.

I think the best option is probably to pass it down the road to fund another purchase (Kibler?).

So the next question then is, to clean it up and sell, or sell "as is" to allow the new owner to do what they want with it. And what would be a fair price? I know new complete guns are like $1500 and new kits are $1200. Is $1200 reasonable for this "as is", as if it were a kit? More? Less?
Thanks again, folks.
rob

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Stykbow said:

Ah, hell, just box it up and send it to me. I hate to see you toiling so bad over what to do with it.

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Teddydog said:

A couple weeks ago I placed some bids in an auction and ended up winning 2 older Pedersoli black powder firearms. The first is the title Bess and second is a "Classic" 12 ga double percussion shotgun. The shotgun has a proof code from 1977 and it is pretty good shape but with some oxidation along the barrels and some active rust near the bores, but no pitting. I have wanted one of these for a while and the delivered cost was around $500.

The Bess appears to be one built from a kit. This is my guess mostly due to the stock being a very light color instead of dark stained walnut. It also has light oxidation along the length of the barrel as well as on the lock. The lock seems to be strong and functional. There is also a rear sight added. I have not yet found the proof code, but I thin it is likely of a similar age to the SxS.

Since I already have a factory DP Bess and bayonet, I'm trying to decide what to do with this one. Just scour the barrel and lock back to bright? Stain and refinish the stock? Or do something else like cut it down to a "carbine" or something similar and handy? Something else? I'm into the Bess about $550.

I can get some pics later.

Rob

Click to expand...

Teddydog said:

A couple weeks ago I placed some bids in an auction and ended up winning 2 older Pedersoli black powder firearms. The first is the title Bess and second is a "Classic" 12 ga double percussion shotgun. The shotgun has a proof code from 1977 and it is pretty good shape but with some oxidation along the barrels and some active rust near the bores, but no pitting. I have wanted one of these for a while and the delivered cost was around $500.

The Bess appears to be one built from a kit. This is my guess mostly due to the stock being a very light color instead of dark stained walnut. It also has light oxidation along the length of the barrel as well as on the lock. The lock seems to be strong and functional. There is also a rear sight added. I have not yet found the proof code, but I thin it is likely of a similar age to the SxS.

Since I already have a factory DP Bess and bayonet, I'm trying to decide what to do with this one. Just scour the barrel and lock back to bright? Stain and refinish the stock? Or do something else like cut it down to a "carbine" or something similar and handy? Something else? I'm into the Bess about $550.

I can get some pics later.

Rob

Click to expand...

Teddydog said:

Thanks for the thoughts, folks. It seems like shortening it is an option, but I fear that would cost a bit of money and the end result would be worth less. Though maybe fun to shoot.

I think the best option is probably to pass it down the road to fund another purchase (Kibler?).

So the next question then is, to clean it up and sell, or sell "as is" to allow the new owner to do what they want with it. And what would be a fair price? I know new complete guns are like $1500 and new kits are $1200. Is $1200 reasonable for this "as is", as if it were a kit? More? Less?
Thanks again, folks.
rob

Click to expand...