Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on May 16, 2022 7:20:07 GMT -5
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Post by Lee Martin on May 16, 2022 8:08:57 GMT -5
I hope it does. I have one of those octagonal .375 Sevilles:  One thing to remember about Sevilles and El Dorados. They were made by multiple owners across multiple locations. And customers could often request special configurations. As a result, there are dozens of "1 of X" models.....which isn't the same as a 1 of 10 Ruger or a 1 of 20 S&W. In my collection alone, I have 11 guns that were 1 of 4 or less. Doesn't mean they're worth a fortune. Just that they were more examples of limited configuration guns. It'll be interesting to see what this one brings. I paid around a grand for mine 5 years ago. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on May 16, 2022 10:35:55 GMT -5
Good info. I’m watching it. I am amazed at how these things have gone up just in the last couple years.
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Post by Lee Martin on May 16, 2022 17:51:41 GMT -5
I am amazed at how these things have gone up just in the last couple years. Me too. And I suspect a lot of bidders are familiar with Sevilles. But for those that aren't, make note: 1) They are exceptionally smooth actions. Sellers often call them "The Python of single-actions". I coined that phrase when I wrote my article in 2003. Glad to see it stuck. The hammers are Python-esque, the trigger pulls are very light, and they cycle like glass. 2) If you're into weird one-off guns and convoluted history, it's hard to beat the Seville line. 3) Too many sellers claim they're the "finest single-action ever built" or say they rival Freedom Arms. They aren't, and don't. Truth be told, Seville fit and finish are on par with stock Blackhawks. Some years they were sub-par Ruger on cylinder fit. The Chimney Rock El Dorados were the best of that breed, but they're still no match for Freedom Arms. 4) If you buy one and plan on shooting it a lot, think again. The internals are soft as hell. The hands would wear prematurely and the flat bolt springs were prone to breaking (and I have probably 100+ emails from folks over the past 20 years looking for replacement parts to prove my point). Luckily, I obtained a large stash of parts when I bought a collection to keep mine running. On my Buffalo Seville conversion, we re-hardened all of the guts. If however you're looking for a slick single-action to occasionally shoot, thumb, or show off to friends, the Seville is a pretty cool model. I'm glad I bought mine when I did. No way would I pay what they're being bid up to now. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on May 16, 2022 19:42:21 GMT -5
Glad to have your insight. I cannot afford them at those prices. I did luck up and bought one a few years ago in a pawn shop and was able to take advantage of some of the gunbroker action with it later. For what they are bringing now, I’d definitely buy a BFR or spring for a FA.
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Post by greenchile on May 16, 2022 20:46:01 GMT -5
Sweet gun. They just look right in that configuration. I'm curious what it will sell for. Did a lot of the Sevilles have nice factory wood? They seem to when I see them for sale.
Lee, it's interesting what you said about "user beware". It reminds me of what I've heard about some (but not all) of the TLA's.
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Post by potatojudge on May 16, 2022 21:00:37 GMT -5
TLA might share some parts quality issues, but they're much nicer than a Ruger or Seville. TLA is pretty close to FA in fit and finish, though they are very different styles of gun so even when describing "nice" or "quality" and holding one in each hand it doesn't feel apples to apples.
I like the octagon on these, but I'm not sure how I feel about that front sight. The front end is Vaporwave 80s and the back end an elegant SA. 1880s meets 1980s?
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Post by Lee Martin on May 17, 2022 9:35:34 GMT -5
I'm curious what it will sell for. Did a lot of the Sevilles have nice factory wood? They seem to when I see them for sale. The standard frame Sevilles were almost always fit with wood panels. Guns made from 1976 - 1984 had pretty plain wood. From 1985 on, they used wood with a little more figure (not to mention different types of wood). The stretch-frame Sevilles either had wood or Pachmyr Presentations. When El Dorado Arms reformed in Chimney Rock, NC in 1988, they only used wood and it was extremely high quality. Here are a few examples: A Chimney Rock .357 Maximum:  A .375 SuperMag from Chimney Rock:  An example of the plain wood used on these guns (.357 Magnum from 1979)  A .454 Magnum from 1982. One of the few times a standard frame Seville was mated with Pachmyrs. 10.5" standard frame Silhouette models also got Pachmyrs on occasion.  -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by greenchile on May 17, 2022 10:05:53 GMT -5
Interesting. Thanks Lee. I need to go back and read your Seville article again. You should write more about them.
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Post by desertminer on May 17, 2022 19:15:33 GMT -5
Interesting. Thanks Lee. I need to go back and read your Seville article again. You should write more about them. Would love it if Lee wrote a book |
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Post by Lee Martin on May 18, 2022 17:49:43 GMT -5
Interesting. Thanks Lee. I need to go back and read your Seville article again. You should write more about them. Would love it if Lee wrote a book Funny you should say that. Been working on one for the past 10 years. I've written just over 100 pages and taken dozens of photos. If my job ever slows down, I hope to finish it for publication. Of course, I've been saying that for a decade now. But eventually it'll happen. The book will cover the full history of the Seville, El Dorado, and Abilene. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by greenchile on May 18, 2022 20:07:05 GMT -5
Excellent. I'm in for an early copy.
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Post by onegoodshot on May 29, 2022 20:50:55 GMT -5
I put a few bids up but I’m out. It’s getting to the price point where I would be hesitant to shoot it and that does me no good. I already have a long barreled stainless Seville 375sm and 2 Dan Wessons. I keep hoping Lee will sell me one of his 414sm but not holding my breath😂
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Post by greenchile on May 29, 2022 20:53:02 GMT -5
I put a few bids up but I’m out. Oops, we were bidding against each other but I'm out too. It's now into FA pricing. |
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Post by onegoodshot on May 29, 2022 20:55:42 GMT -5
I put a few bids up but I’m out. Oops, we were bidding against each other but I'm out too. It's now into FA pricing. I agree. I really like the stainless octagons. |
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