I pulled the trigger and ordered the last long spoon on my Bucket List. I had previously bought that 1877 that I was jonsing over for years... I couldn't afford a real one so I bought an Axtel.... Several years ago I had purchased at auction several exhibition grade stock sets for practically nothing (150 total) in anticipation of ordering the CPA. Paul Shuttleworth is getting up there in age not to mention myself; so I came to the conclusion it is now or never. So I put the order in for a CPA Silhouette long spoon. It is going to be a 3 barrel set of traditional late 19TH century target calibers, 22 LR, 25/20 SS and 38/55. So it is a nice milestone BD present that I will take delivery of in about 6 months.
https://www.cparifles.com/
As I have reached that certain age I feel that my time for collecting for appreciation is over. Now it has to be something that I want to use..and less is suddenly becoming more. That said I seriously doubt that this one will be the last long spoon I will ever get, but I can not think of anything else out there that pulls my chain.. The only remaining hand spoon that is out there is a USFA Bisley Flat Top Target. I had an original that had been restored that I sold because I knew I could get one from USFA...when I went to order one later I found that they had closed their doors...ARRRG. That is part of the reason I am moving now on the CPA.
As far as cost analysis goes, I see the CPA's come up once in awhile at auctions. They almost always fall into a set price range which is a few hundred less than ordering a new one. If I went that route, I would have to settle for something less than exactly what I want..that is the trade off. I have been an under bidder on them several times and that next bid has always put me almost at the new price. For the price differential why get one that is less than exactly what is wanted?