Some relatively common guns from Sturgess collection also sold very high price, with importer marking. Probably Sturgess name attracted many bidders. Or, bidders don't know how to find one in similar overall condition outside of auction house sale. There could be many reasons. Simpson's marking is tiny, not very distracting, that's also a reason.
"buy the best you can afford" and "easier to sell later on" are not necessarily related IMO. Market reality is cheap guns being easier to sell, and expensive items has lots of uncertainty. I played Nagant 1895 and Yugo SKS some years ago, Nagant was $75, SKS was $160 (?). For "easier to sell later", they are the best, all of them sold easily, I would think it's kind of boring if only play Nagant and SKS. But I did see some collectors bought hundreds, and love them.
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