Why isn't a 12 gauge Eclipse Meteor that is working worth more than 250?

Answer 1

Because no one wants to pay that much for an old shotgun that is neither scarce nor useable. There were literally millions of similar guns imported from Belgium from the late 1880s up to World War 1. No one is trying to build a collection of every different trade name used, so even the most dedicated collector of utility shotguns will be satisfied with one hammerless damascus double barrel by Anciens Etablissments Pieper. It is worthless as a hunting gun because it will be chambered for 2 1/2 inch black powder shells, 100-year-old twisted-steel barrels are not considered safe, and repair parts are unavailable. The only buyers are people involved in Cowboy Action Shooting and decorators who want an old shotgun over the mantle in the den. Both of those groups would prefer to have guns with side hammers.