Vintage British Doubles

[8 x 60]

@ Altitudesickness Couple of English wrists for you . Armstrong on the right.

 

[8 x 60]

Here is the one on the left (above post # 41)
I have been trying to post a pccie of this for days, This picture seems the only one that I can post.
Carr Bros, Huddersfield approx 1870's. I know that from the "Not for ball" proof-stamp on the barrel flats. That was done (stamped) for a period during the transition from front-stuffers to breech loaders when choked barrels came in. (I might disagree with the "stamp" as she (allegedly) might shoot a patched .695 ball over a spot pyrodex quite well.)

 

[Gash632]

I had the British double disease bad for over 50 years! It's much better now but I had another attack recently over a Boss double. Fortunately my fever broke before I got the credit card involved!
After owning fine pre war doubles you will get to the point that you discover that there are many great guns made by lesser known makers that are "Best" grade. For example, Stephen Grant is one of those names that I gravitated towards, and owned 3 before selling my last one.

I loved his his use of the side lever opening system and his elegant "arcaded fences" that are a very recognizable Stephen Grant features. You will also start to appreciate Damascus barrel patterns on some early guns. The best of both worlds is nitro proofed Damascus barrels.

I owned a 1905 Stephen Grant side lever opening double with nitro proofed damascus barrels once that was a joy to handle and shoot. It dropped pheasants in S. Dakota just like it did when it was first made using appropriate 2 1/2 inch shells.

Look for clear indications of quality of manufacture and skip over the name if it is not a well known one. There are many great old guns like that. They also sell for less.

Although you have been warned about this English double addiction; you should take heart in that now is as good a pricing as I have ever seen on these fine old guns!

It seems the younger crowd has more interest in commonly available O/U guns than any side by side older double, regardless of build quality. Prices are therefore quite low for excellent quality! Enjoy your new found interest!

 

[CJNJ]

Thanks for the words of encouragement in the midst of my illness!

 

[Altitude sickness]

It is definitely a good time to buy. Especially in 12 gauge

 

[CJNJ]

Finally, my Hellis came home!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Congrats on a quality SxS

 

[PCC600]

I had the British double disease bad for over 50 years! It's much better now but I had another attack recently over a Boss double. Fortunately my fever broke before I got the credit card involved!
After owning fine pre war doubles you will get to the point that you discover that there are many great guns made by lesser known makers that are "Best" grade. For example, Stephen Grant is one of those names that I gravitated towards, and owned 3 before selling my last one.

I loved his his use of the side lever opening system and his elegant "arcaded fences" that are a very recognizable Stephen Grant features. You will also start to appreciate Damascus barrel patterns on some early guns. The best of both worlds is nitro proofed Damascus barrels.

I owned a 1905 Stephen Grant side lever opening double with nitro proofed damascus barrels once that was a joy to handle and shoot. It dropped pheasants in S. Dakota just like it did when it was first made using appropriate 2 1/2 inch shells.

Look for clear indications of quality of manufacture and skip over the name if it is not a well known one. There are many great old guns like that. They also sell for less.

Although you have been warned about this English double addiction; you should take heart in that now is as good a pricing as I have ever seen on these fine old guns!

It seems the younger crowd has more interest in commonly available O/U guns than any side by side older double, regardless of build quality. Prices are therefore quite low for excellent quality! Enjoy your new found interest!

I have never considered a gun by Stephen Grant to be a second tier . Nor did “Bertie” the Prince of Wales and later Edward VII . They had his Royal Warrant and his Mother’s . When Bertie made a Royal tour to India his entire battery of 9 weapons were made by Stephen Grant . Certainly until WW1 they were up at the top of the gunmaker pile with Purdey and Boss and definitely ahead of H&H and Rigby both of whom were considered rifle makers rather than shot gun makers .

 

[8 x 60]

With the pending ban on lead shot in the UK, a time is fast approaching when we won't even be able to give them away You chaps in the US ought to do well out of the situation.

 

[PCC600]

With the pending ban on lead shot in the UK, a time is fast approaching when we won't even be able to give them away You chaps in the US ought to do well out of the situation.

A really easy fix . Open up choke to 1/4 and 1/2 and extend forcing cones . This of course assumes you have good barrels . You can shoot heavier steel loads all day long . Not expensive at all .

 

[8 x 60]

A really easy fix . Open up choke to 1/4 and 1/2 and extend forcing cones . This of course assumes you have good barrels . You can shoot heavier steel loads all day long . Not expensive at all .

Big assuption pcc600. Barrels may be fine and in proof but that doesn't mean they will stand the abuse of having forcing cones extended or choke/s removed or opened up.

 

[GeorgeGibbs505]

Here’s my W&C Scott 10 bore probably second year production. Still in wonderful condition and still goes in the field.

 

[Altitude sickness]

My 1886 Scott on this mornings goose hunt.

It’s

 

[8 x 60]

My 1886 Scott on this mornings goose hunt. View attachment 716640It’s View attachment 716641View attachment 716642View attachment 716644View attachment 716643

Black powder?

 

[Altitude sickness]

No sir. Low pressure RST and Salt River. With Bizmuth

 

[gcbailey]

I like British guns in general, but LOVE their shotguns. I hope to one day have a full compliment from the most famous houses. Below are my two W.J. Jeffery side levers and latest purchase of a Ken Hunt engraved James Purdey with 25" barrels.

 

[gcbailey]

A couple of 19th Century British guns
Side Lever 16b Purdy 1895
View attachment 715214
Alfred Lancaster 12b 1885 Nitro Proof Damascus

OOh, that side lever Purdey is amazing!

 

[PCC600]

Big assuption pcc600. Barrels may be fine and in proof but that doesn't mean they will stand the abuse of having forcing cones extended or choke/s removed or opened up.

I guess what I am saying is make sure the barrels are good first .

 

[Wyfox]

@gcbailey first boxlock sidelever I've seen, incredible piece!
Love the Purdey Funeral gun, I looked at it many times when itwas listed on GI.

 

[PCC600]

I like British guns in general, but LOVE their shotguns. I hope to one day have a full compliment from the most famous houses. Below are my two W.J. Jeffery side levers and latest purchase of a Ken Hunt engraved James Purdey with 25" barrels.

View attachment 716671View attachment 716672View attachment 716673View attachment 716674View attachment 716675View attachment 716676View attachment 716677View attachment 716678

Love the Funeral finish on the Purdey . I would pick it over elaborately engraved actions every day of the week . I have a Purdey 303 double rifle which went out “in the black” for the 1897 deer season and then came back in to be finished . I wish it had stayed unadorned .