I dunno, George. Most of my Barlings were under $150, and a lot of them were under $100. The one that you recently restemmed cost me $40.
This one was a little more:
$287
And a few, like the unsmoked 1907 set, were pricey.
The 1883 Magnum was sold to me at dealer's cost,so around 40% of retail
The other magnum from 1910 was a whopping $210. You remember that one. It has what you referred to as one of the three best shaped stems you have ever seen.
My first Barling Quaint cost a whopping $90.
Most of my finds have been at considerable savings, like the Von Ercks, including the two that you told me are the rarest of the rare, for which I paid $175 each.
If this idiot (moi) can do it, any idiot can do it. There are plenty of places that aren't eBay where you can find fine Britwood a tuppence.
Considering what folks pay for a quality artisan made pipe, $400 and up, WAY up, I don't think these are particularly expensive.
Not everyone is paying $$$$ for White Spot.
GBD's are great pipes and not pricey, and Comoys are often available at very attractive prices.