His last auction in October, then into retirement.
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His last auction in October, then into retirement.
Unfortunately no one is stepping up to fill the gap left by Ted , or Steve from Wellington Antique Arms. The only one left seems to be the Ruahine Branch Auction , as held yesterday .
Other wise it is the small branch auctions at their meetings. The new rules have no doubt contributed , but Ted and Mrs Ted are well into their 80's now and have done a fine job for many years.
We need someone to take up the task.....
Is Carvell's still going? I assume they'll have their October/November auction.
Also where would one find a catalogue for Ted's upcoming auction? I always find it slightly amusing that it's both hard to find out when the auctions are on and tracking down a catalogue.
They are emailed/posted out to those on their mailing lists. Ted used to also put it up on his website (also the prices after the auction). PM your email and I'll forward you the catalogue when it comes out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Makros
Ted was forced, along with a few other of the auctions, to make his online catalogue unavailable so the antis didn't have easy access.
Having the calalogue so visable back a few years ago probabaly cost him his St Pats School venue for his auctions. Machine guns at a school etc etc. uproar.
Are Wellington branch not having any future auctions?Quote:
Originally Posted by winchesterM69A
Interesting prices yesterday at Ruahine. Sporting rifles and shotguns and many pistols they couldn’t even give away. Still some good prices on some of the collectibles though.
Many items not reaching reserve which will Means that price expectations will need to drop significantly.
My guess is very few collectors have taken the plunge into registration so they simply didnt bid. Thats my situation - couple of rifles i would have liked but not gonna trigger having to register the rest at present.
I believe the guy who ran the Wellington Antique Arms auctions has given up and no one wants to take his place so no more auctions for now. I suspect its a huge job and not everyone has the time or inclination.
Global phenomenon I am afraid. Even the really high end collector stuff has taken a huge hit compared to 15 years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by omark
Feels like the beginning of the end almost , couple guns I wouldn’t mind bidding on but likewise not keen to trigger quite yet
Ruahine Prices Realised has just arrived in my inbox. Lot's of zeroes in the columns.
I let some bargains go by because I hadn't looked at them during the viewing, then got tunnel vision on a couple of items of interest instead, and consequently overspent... ah wellQuote:
Originally Posted by zimmer
I will miss Teds... it was always a good weekend for shopping therapy, drinking too much of the free coffee but paying for overpriced pies, while hanging out with mates and acquaintances talking about all things guns. Then taking new goodies home and fudging the numbers to the Mrs about how much you actually spent.
Oh so you are just a standard gun nut then, I thought I might be different hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by -BW-
Has anyone seen the catalogue yet? Nothing has turned upQuote:
Originally Posted by Tentman
only access to some flicker images at this stageQuote:
Originally Posted by omark
Here's what he said -
CATALOGUES
Catalogues will be posted out in mid-late-September. Pdf versions of the catalogue will be emailed early September, please ensure you clear out your mailbox and allow our emails, so you don’t miss the catalogue, or it goes into your Junk folder.
How do you get hold of Ted to put a gun in the auction or am I to late.
Thanks
Too late - this is his final auction. Plus most of his auction lists run a year or so in advance - so it isnt a fast turn around.
The electronic version of the latest auction list is out but someone smarter than me will have to post the links to the pdf files.
Does anyone have any idea of if the auctions were profitable or just a labour of love? If it is the latter I can imagine it'd be difficult to recreate it due to how bad things are atm
Given that the vendor pays a percentage fee , and the successful buyer pays a percentage fee , combined equaling ( from memory ) 25% of the sale price , I would say its a quite financiallly rewarding business . But it is a full time business , and relies on many , many , volunteer hours to catalogue , store , and stage the auction , through to dispatching the sold items or dealing with those not sold.
I would hope someone will step in and take over , but cant see that happening in the face of the current police policies, and the general climate of fear around firearms in general.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zimmer
Came out by email from Ted just last night
Still a few bucks out there, looking at a few of the sales. Hopefully Tonu and Chrissy will keep going.Quote:
Originally Posted by zimmer
First time I haven’t attended for a few years, usually a good beer drinking break for the weekend, but like my mates, we’re not triggering till after the election, but Mark Mitchell won’t change much, he wants to stop the straw firearms. Unfortunately the registration is probably creating a few.
I love gun auctions
Have brought a bit from Ted's over the years
Plenty from antique arms auctions also.
But I think the days of auctions are nearly numbered.
I have seen the quality of the lot descriptions fall
With some firearms unable to be opened recently the state of the bore is totally unknown
This might give a buyer a bargain or a lemon
It most certainly does not get the vendor the best price on the day
But the written description is the key thing because not Everyone can spend a weekend in Wellington at an auction
I have had forum members view lots at auctions for me and advised they are not consistent with the description
I have looked at rifles for friends brought at auction and read the description that encourages them to buy at the price they paid. It was not obvious it was even the same rifle !
I'm not knocking Ted's dedication and effort but things have slipped lately and will likely continue to slip with all the effort and hassles involved in running a firearms auction.
I commend those people who continue to keep these events alive.
And lament their passing
As an example this is from Ted's next auction catalogue and is a rifle type I know a little about
".375 H&H Mag. Calibre Ruger No.1 Single Shot
Drop Block Sporting Rifle. 24˝ heavy round tapered
barrel with Sturm Ruger’s name, address etc. Ramped
foresight. Adjustable flip up open rear sight. Receiver
crown marked “Ruger No.1”. Bore good. Metalwork
with approximately 90% finish. Quality walnut
woodwork. Chequered at forewood and pistol grip.
“Ruger” rubber butt pad. Leather sling. S/N 132-
98824. Safety catch at fault otherwise G+WO&C.
Comes with 18 x 375 H&H cases and a set of
Hornady 375 H&H mag. Dies. Estimate $350 – $450""
Can anyone see the obvious problem with the description and price estimate on this quite desirable and popular ( cult following ) rifle ?
And no I am not interested in bidding on it unless it's $450 because there's 2k left on the bone at that price
Teds estimates are sometimes hilariously under valued.
Estimate $450-500
Me : :D
Ted : I'll start the bidding at $800!
Sells for $1200
Me : :angry:
How do you get a hold of a catalog then? Dates? Location?
Attachment 233339Quote:
Originally Posted by Jhon
Anyone seen Prices Realised from Ted's auction last weekend?
The list is usually out Monday.
Posted below, went back to my email, and it's there. :P
I thought prices were pretty good all things considered. There was not a lot that got withdrawn. Good turn out.Quote:
Originally Posted by zimmer
Stunning rifle. Went fir $2700 and change...Quote:
Originally Posted by akaroa1
I'm happy I was successful with my postal.
Got used to Ted's "estimates" over the years. Won't be a problem in the future. sad to see him go.
At the end the old 22s, 303s etc were being sold for $20-40 each, $50ish for 3 (Toz) single shots, $30 for a Parker Hale 303 - the mag was worth twice that. My wife asked when I left if I was taking the trailer, I wish...but just rubbish if you don't really have a use for them. I put my hand up when x2 .410 bore Singles came up and the ask dropped to $80. Had not viewed them but what the heck..the Belgium one with borer in the stock is a lovely light gun in excellent shooting condition even if patinaed grey etc. The bore is good and action tight. The American one is twice the weight and heft and will scrub up like new. Took them to the range today and just had some fun. Look out possums, rabbits and maggies. I suspect my grandson's will grab them and I'll need to start reloading 410.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waynesworld
Was there not a hint at the end as to the continuation of this auction with a “Watch this space” thrown out there?
Strangely, in his email sending out the prices it finished with
If you wish to be removed from our updates, approximately 2 – 3 times a year. Please reply with “REMOVE” in the subject line.
but I think this was just an oversight and he was reusing his standard email format.
Yes indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maca49
I was keen to bid on one of the 410 side x sides. Nice wee pieces but went for way more than I thought they were worth, funny how all the shit I want to buy every other buggar wants as well lol. IMO all the cheap shit went for what it was worth. Overall I thought it was quite strong prices. I was surprised to see the win 42 410 set pass in. No bids at 7k. I was keen but obviously the reserve was way up there. I picked up a few but got outbid on the stuff I was after.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jhon
Managed to get a full wooded SMLE for what I thought was a reasonable price.
Picked up a nice little single shot remington for $20 to take the grandkids to the range.
Ted is hoping Kevin might start it back up in a year or so.
That's the same email they've been sending out for yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by Jhon
I wouldn't read anything into it other than they didn't change it
The Purdey went for $20k and change , cheap for a Purdey I guess but an expensive firearm in this land
I think there has been mis-priced items in the catalogues for years. The estimates are often under and it seems
Every auction there is one absolute corker like the ruger mentioned above. There always been a few spelling errors or mixed up calibres.
But you’re right, with the loss of Ted’s and Wellington AA auctions closing, most will follow suit in the next few years, the days are numbered. I hope we’re wrong though.