Free Gun Valuations at Upcoming Safari Club Shows Thanks to New Affiliation Between Holt’s Auctioneers and Blixt
Is your shotgun worth more in the U.K. than the U.S.?
Holt’s Auctioneers, the leading fine gun auction house in England, is once again scouring the American market for hidden gems that may garner big bucks across the Atlantic. In pursuit of collectible firearms here, Holt’s has expanded its network of Representatives in America to include Lars Magnusson, founder of traditional driven-shoot favorite, Blixt & Co.
The inaugural outreach by Holt’s and Blixt will occur at the Safari Club Conventions in Dallas and Reno in early January. Dallas Safari Club, held January 3rd – 6th, takes place at the Dallas Convention Center. SCI’s 41st Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno during January 23rd – 26th is in the Reno Sparks Convention Center.
Nick Holt
The plan calls for Holt’s founder, Nick Holt, along with his associates from the auction house, to occupy the Blixt exhibit at both shows. The Blixt booth number is 2836-40 in Dallas and in Reno it’s number 30. A private area permits free confidential valuations of individual guns and collections centered on condition and provenance. With valuation certificate in hand, owners can either consign their guns to Holt’s for auction or retain ownership with no obligation to act.
Subsequently, Mr. Magnusson will be Holt’s point man in America to arrange valuations and logistical support for quarterly auctions at the Princess Louise House in London, which are complemented by live Internet bidding and sealed-bid auctions. Although Holt’s works with American dealers such as Griffin & Howe, Holland & Holland, Lewis Drake and Associates and Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. to locate firearms in America, Mr. Magnusson is Holt’s first exclusive agent with no competing interests in the gun trade.
Lars Magnusson
Following the Safari Club confabs, Mr. Magnusson will arrange engagements in the U.S. where valuations by Holt’s will be given at no charge. If the owner opts to have Holt’s auction their guns, Mr. Magnusson facilitates the transfer.
The new alliance stems from a relationship between Mr. Holt and Mr. Magnusson that originated during the early-1990s in Sweden and onward to the West London Shooting School where Mr. Magnusson spent that period as an instructor. Early in 2012, their paths crossed again when they discussed collaborating at the Dallas and Reno conventions and beyond — reviving Holt’s presence at the events after a four-year hiatus.
A magnificent 12-gauge Ivo Fabbri over/under, pinless sidelock, engraved by Torcoli and Peli was estimated to sell for $100,000 to $120,000 at a Holt’s auction.
Holt’s American network aims to counter the time-honored passage of premium English shotguns and rifles to America where they remain out of reach by collectors and enthusiasts there. In turn, by working with the nonpartisan Mr. Magnusson, Holt’s clients in England and additional countries can bid on firearms routinely confined to U.S. auctions.
“We’re looking for rare firearms here that we know there’s a market for in the U.K.,” Mr. Magnusson said.
“Some things sell better here or there,” Mr. Holt explained.
Since starting his auction house in 1992, Mr. Holt has built an organization of international representatives that source quality firearms for him. Mr. Holt described this ensemble as comprised of “hunting and shooting people who know the local language and their own gun legislation.”
Mr. Magnusson fit the bill. His family is renowned for their hunting skills in the celebrated Scandinavian hunting grounds where he was born and raised. After teaching shooting in Sweden and the prestigious West London Shooting School, Mr. Magnusson returned to Sweden where he helped establish the West Stockholm Shooting School. In 2003, he joined Griffin & Howe as Managing Director of its shooting school at Hudson Farm in Andover, New Jersey. Mr. Magnusson held that position until 2006, when he ventured to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with the vision of introducing traditional, driven British shoots to America through his start-up, Blixt & Co., which is named after his great-grandfather, the illustrious local hunter and fisherman, Bengt Blixt.
They will also be valuing antique weaponry including edged weapons such as Japanese and Viking swords, armour and guns dating back to when gun powder was invented in the 11th century. In the meantime, to have Mr. Holt and his colleagues inspect your guns at the conventions, contact Mr. Magnusson at 307.413.5450 or lars@blixtco.com.
Irwin Greenstein is the Publisher of Shotgun Life. You can reach him at contact@shotgunlife.com.
Useful resources:
The Blixt web site
The web site for Holt’s Auctioneers
Irwin Greenstein is Publisher of Shotgun Life. Please send your comments to letters@shotgunlife.com.
Comments