What have i done?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Glad to hear that the dealer will take it back. I don't know how it is where you live, but over here dealers seem to be well aware that we all talk to each other and that bad behaviour will soon be reported around the network.

Just to cheer you all up, here are two of my "star" purchases that were returned (with apologies from the dealers in both cases):

a) A Le Page percussion double shotgun, with gold inlaid name and address on rose-pattern damascus barrels. It looked drop-dead gorgeous in the photos! But some unspeakable Bubba had arc-welded the front sling swivel and the weld had penetrated into the bores. A write-off for shooting.

b) A 54-cal. 5-shot Tranter percussion revolver which had had a modern replica 45-cal. 6-shot cylinder inserted and fudged to look externally plausible.

With dealers*, I have never had any unsolvable problems. With private on-line purchases I can only advise: assume it is a wall-hanger and value accordingly.


*In this country, that means licensed dealers, with a reputation and a licence to lose.