Information for the buyer
Some hints on bidding
It can always be very exciting to take part in a silent auction. You never know whether you handed in the highest bid or if there has been an even higher one.
When you found something of your interest and you want to take part in the auction, there are a few things you should know about auctions, so there will be no unpleasant surprises and you can take all advantages.
1. Catalogue
Before taking part in an auction you want to inform yourself about the – often quite large – range of lots offered. On this website you find a description and pictures of all items. We can also send you the catalogue (without pictures). To order it simply send an email to
auktion@springer-vienna.com.
Thus you have the possibility to check at home which items you want to have a closer look at on the viewing days. The descriptions state a minimum price, the lowest price one can hand in. This price is approximately 1/3 – 1/2 of the estimated value.
2. Public viewing
When possible, visit us on our public viewing days and have a closer look at the items of your interest. A painting always looks different in reality, a gun should always fit perfectly. One can never see all blemishes in pictures, even when noted by our experts in the description. If you have not got the time or the distance is too far to come to the viewing, please feel free to call our expert and talk with him about “your” object. He will advise you in a fair and professional way.
Auction room:
Weihburggasse 27, 1010 Vienna
Tel.: +43-1-512 77 32
3. The Condition
As stated before, it is not always possible to see all damages. Our experts check and evaluate every object and rate them in five different conditions:
Modern and hunting guns:
1 - new
2 - mint
3 - good
4 - fair
5 - poor
Antique and collectors guns:
I - near mint: All original parts; 95% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.
II - very good: All original parts; over 90% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; wood slightly scratched.
III - good:Original parts; over 50% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; wood slightly scratched or bruised.
IV - satisfactory: Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or re-blued; principal letters, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.
V - fair: Some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or re-blued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.
VI - poor: Major and minor parts replaced; minor parts possibly missing, metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed.
4. To Bid
One can hand in a bid the second all lots are shown online. Your bid however must be handed in with us latest on the last preview day (Saturday) at 3:00pm. Bids handed in later can unfortunately not be accepted.
To make sure you at least get something you can use the Priority Bid-Form. With this form you can hand in up to six bids, but you will only get one of them. When your bid is not the highest for your most favourite peace we look at your second object. Not being the highest bidder on that we check your bid on the third - and so on.
To hand in your bid we ask you to print the following attachment and send it via fax or post back to us.
There is no possibility to hand in a bid by telephone or online!
To accept your bid we request your credit card details as a security!
