151: Chapter 150: The Gift 151: Chapter 150: The Gift Listening to Morgan excitedly rattling off a long list of names, Gao Yang became excited as well.
“If Alessandro’s gun is as revered in the collecting world as a Van Gogh painting, then how much could this gun sell for?”
Hearing Gao Yang’s question, Morgan’s face showed a hint of embarrassment as he shrugged, “Well, you have to understand, there aren’t many antique gun collectors, and the circle is quite small, so you can’t expect a gun to sell for an extremely high price.
However, at a Sotheby’s auction in London in 1998, a gun made by Alessandro sold for 280,000 British Pounds, and that gun was in much worse condition than yours.
Therefore, I estimate that your gun could fetch at least 400,000 Pounds.
Plus, your gun has the advantage of having once been part of Queen Victoria’s collection, with the British Royal crest and Victoria’s signature on the gunstock.
This signifies a well-documented provenance, which adds to your gun’s appeal.
So, my estimate is that your gun could sell for at least 500,000 Pounds.”
Gao Yang stroked his chin and sighed, “I thought it would sell for tens of millions.
Turns out it’s just a few hundred thousand.”
Morgan said, frustrated, “Don’t get it wrong, the value of an artwork is not decided by its price.
Paintings by Van Gogh and Picasso fetch high prices simply because too many people treat their works as investment objects, whereas antique gun collectors are true collectors, not looking to simply hold on to something for a few years and then sell it at a high price.”
After his outburst, Morgan caressed the shotgun in his hands, saying sentimentally, “I’ve always regretted not going to London to bid on that gun.
But God has sent me an even better one through you.
Don’t set a price now, although I’m almost certain your gun is genuine.
I’m not well-studied in European heraldry, but there are at least two family crests and two private seals on your gun, which means it has been collected by others as well.
I completely don’t understand this gun’s lineage, so I need to go back to the States and consult with the experts before I can give you a price for the gun.
Gao, you have to sell it to me.”
Gao Yang shrugged his shoulders, “Not for sale.”
Morgan’s face turned quite interesting.
He didn’t want to pressure Gao Yang, but at the same time, he couldn’t bear to let go of the gun he already had in his hands.
After his expression changed a few times, Morgan almost begged, “Gao, please consider it again, will you sell it to me?
Okay, I know this is difficult for you.
Everyone wants to own their dream gun, and my request is too much.
In that case, could you let me admire it for a few days?
No, how about a week?
“It’s already yours, for you to admire as you please.”
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I mean the gun is not for sale, but it can be given as a gift.
I’m giving it to you.
The gun is now yours, so you can admire it however you wish.”
Morgan shook his head vigorously, “You’re saying you’re giving the gun to me?
Oh, God, this is an Alessandro’s piece!
Just like that, you’re giving it to me?”
“I made myself clear, right?
Okay, let me repeat it one more time, I’m giving you this gun as a little gift, hoping you’d like it.
Um, I know you really like it, but could you please not make a face as if you’re about to cry?
Don’t be too moved, I just like double-barreled shotguns, so I chose it out of the many guns I had.
I don’t even know this Alessandro guy, let alone consider this gun my dream.
My interest lies in World War II-era firearms; I’d collect those if anything.
So, I’m giving you this gun, but remember to return my Mauser 98K and P38 that are with you.”
Morgan clutched the double-barreled shotgun tightly in his arms, his face contorting as he said, “I want to make that damn guy see, make him green with envy and cry.
He’s been flaunting an Alfonso gun in front of me for half a year; this time I must make him weep.
I shall take this gun to the American Antique Gun Association’s exhibition and show off, letting those guys know I, Morgan Reeves, own an Alessandro piece, the one in the most pristine condition, the one collected by the British royal family’s hunting enthusiasts.
I’m going to be famous!”
Morgan looked like a child receiving his longed-for present, and from the gritted teeth, it seemed he must have suffered ridicule in the past for lacking a piece of sufficient prestige in his collection.
Now he could hardly wait to show his treasured new acquisition to everyone.
Gao Yang laughed heartily and said, “I wish you luck in stunning everyone, and hope you’ll have a great time bragging.”
Morgan nodded vigorously, his face beaming with joy, and then said gravely, “Happiness came so suddenly, I got a bit carried away, Gao, thank you for the gift, I really love it.
You said you liked old guns from WWII?
Great, tell me which ones you cherish.”
After thinking for a bit, Gao Yang replied, “I fancy both German and American squad light weapons, but to pick my absolute favorite…
“No need to go on, German and American, got it,” Morgan interrupted, “I will find you all the weapons from those categories, I promise they’ll be the best collectibles with every part original.
Also, you like the M1911 don’t you?
I have a 1911 prototype test gun, one of those supervised personally by Browning in the Colt Hartford Factory.
Although it hasn’t been through the extreme tests, it has been well preserved because of that.
It’s yours now, and when I see you next time, I’ll bring it for you.”
In Gao Yang’s eyes, a prototype M1911 from the initial tender was much more precious than any of Alessandro’s works.
Lit up with excitement, he gripped Morgan’s hand and exclaimed loudly, “It’s a deal!”
Morgan shook his head repeatedly and said, “No, no, this isn’t a deal; it’s just that you gave me a gift, and I’m reciprocating, okay?
Just a prototype gun, how could it compare to an Alessandro work?
I’d die of embarrassment if it were a trade.”
Gao Yang felt like he got the better end of the bargain.
Few military enthusiasts are uninterested in WWII, and while obtaining a wartime gun isn’t too hard, finding one in perfect condition, completely original, and hitting a collector’s grade is a tough find indeed.
Not only had Morgan given Gao Yang a prototype M1911, but he had also promised to procure for him a complete set of German and American squad light weapons, making this reciprocity rather generous.
Even if Gao Yang were given a million British Pounds, he likely couldn’t gather all these guns—not because there wasn’t enough money, but because he simply didn’t have the opportunity or time to collect the firearms he liked.
It was the same for Morgan.
He was wealthy, but he couldn’t buy the old gun of his dreams either.
If not for serendipity on Gao Yang’s part, Morgan might never have managed to secure an Alessandro piece in his lifetime.