Gun show etiquette

[Roger B]

So I'm walking through a gun show last Sunday & come upon a percussion shotgun marked Manton.  The wood is good except for a crack through the wrist (all the wood is there) which I can fix, the locks both click up well on half & full cock, but at different points.  The nipples are rusted in tight & the rod appears to be original. The engraving is good in some places but fair to poor quality on others.  Knowing the the Belgians often marked their products with British makers names, I asked if I could remove the barrels to see the proofs.  The guy seemed completely non plussed, so I explained how easy it is to do without damaging the gun, & told him I would probably give him his price (low) if it turned out to be what I wanted.  He completely balked & I politlely walked away.  I think the owner was just clueless, but is it unusual for owners to balk at some minor disassembly to confirm the  make of a gun?
Roger B.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Depends on what they may or may not want you to confirm!!!!!!! 

[JTR]

Roger, I would guess for the most part just how much the guy was asking for the gun.
If it's only a couple hundred bucks I'd guess it doesn't really matter if it was English or Belgian made, especially with the engraving quality you mention. From your description of the gun, you knew you weren't looking at a first class Manton!

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if it isn't in good enough condition to make it worth more money dependant on the maker or origin, what difference does it make.

Then again, maybe the seller thought you might break it taking it apart, and then of course, only offer him half as much for the gun, since it's busted and all!!

John

[490roundball]

"the locks both click up well on half & full cock, but at different points."
that may well be a sign of mis-matched sears -  A broken one could have been replaced with something close from another gun.

[whitebear]

I think that both sides of the question have been covered here; A) he ether had no idea what he had, and I find that hard to believe in this day and time with the collecting of guns being what it is.  Or B) he knew exactly what you would find and didn't want it exposed.  Being the smart but that I am I probably would have asked him what he was trying to hide which would have not been good gun show etiquette ether.

[Roger B]

Thanks, guys.  There were a few other things that needed attention on this shotgun & my main concern was that if I bought it & put a lot of work and money into it, it needed to be the real deal.  I'm not a collector & know just enough to confuse myself when I see an original that I want.
Roger B.

[keweenaw]

If the gun was just engraved "Manton" it's almost surely not a John Manton and Sons percussion gun.  You'll also find cartridge doubles marked Manton that have nothing to do with the Mantons.  Apart from the markings, the quality will tell whether the piece is worth buying.  All the real Manton guns have great quality locks in them.  A real Manton piece, even if old and abused will feel in the hand like it was high quality.  The cheap copies never will even if the condition is better.

Tom

[Tom Moore]

As far as etiquette goes, I've seen hundreds of guys field strip guns at various shows to see all the minor markings & numbers inside. I can't understand why the guy would balk at simply removing the barrels.  I've never refused anyone a look at the inside of my guns, but I usually do the disassembly myself.  -Tom