Does anyone know if Jim Goergen has ever actually sold a firearm at those prices? I see the same rifles for sale for years and years.

His store would be my first stop after the big lottery…..Its fun to dream.

I cannot comment on Mr G, do not know the man. But there are people who deal in collectables of various kinds who have prices way above what most people think is reasonable. I knew one when I was collecting swords. In that case, even though his prices were 30% over what I would consider reasonable, he paid at the same level. He had a clientele that was willing to pay those prices, many, I suspect, were "closet" collectors who for whatever reason did not beat the bushes at collector's show and were perfectly satisfied doing business by mail and willing to pay more to do it.
Joe S

Sometimes I wonder if he or whoever does his listings has a clue as to what some guns are? If he knows then there's some flat out misleading ads, otherwise the ads are typed up by idiots!
Here's a great example he lists as a "Early 6 1/2 Rigby as shown on page 195 of Dutcher's book".

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The only feature that might be from a 6 1/2 Rigby straight grip is the buttstock. The rest is pieced together and all incorrect, and I'd be willing to bet several old rifles donated to this mess of parts.

Or this one advertised as a "Marbles Simplex"! What?

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I'm sure he sells lots of guns, and on rare occasion even at a cheap price. But whenever I see one pop up cheap and call right away I get told it's sold. I often wonder if when they go check it they realized the price was wrong and they say it's sold? One reappeared a few months later at several thousand dollars higher than what it was before.

I have known Jim since the mid 1970's and have bought a couple guns from him over the years. He is a dealer and has made a living buying and selling guns. He must have known something. He has always been cordial to me.
The value of antique guns boils down to just the thoughts of 2 people and only 2 people. The current owner and the one who wants to own it. And sometimes their minds meet in the middle and the exchange occurs. No gun is every priced too high its just priced higher then you want to pay.

rifleman wrote on Jan 25^th, 2025 at 9:09pm:


Serial numbers aren't on things like that Pacific lever that's wrong for any single trigger. And of course it's definitely not a Rigby as it's not engraved, and doesn't have the faceted receiver the Rigbys have. If that had been a real first model Rigby it would have been 3x his price, and had a full round barrel with Rigby flats, the engraved/faceted receiver, and a single trigger lever with ring.
Like this:

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Yes the description is incorrect. I, myself, chalked it up to a slip by an 88 year old guy. He does cite the book and page number which anyone interested would go look at and instantly realize the error. But then they would also read the description where, at least, John Dutcher is convinced that the gun was all correct and part of a short run with all the same levers and features.  Very much like the small run of Union Hills that had forged actions with a concave top like a #3.

Bob, The gun linked that has sold is referenced in Johns book under an almost Identical rifle that is pictured on page 190. Like Vall said, some of the descriptions Jim gives are way off. At 88 I guess hes slipping. But the gun is what it is despite that. My only point is that the buyer believes the gun is correct, as did Dutcher, who examined several examples.