Posted in DOUBLES on Jan 27th, 2012
Over and Under double barrel shotguns don’t seem innovative to us. But back in the 1920s, shotguns with stacked barrels were still a new idea to most shooter. This old add from Boss shows how they sold these new-fangled things. I like the “Vertical Gun” description, as well as the claims of “Perfect and quicker [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Dec 17th, 2011
The difference between a true, best-quality double barrel barrel and real nice shotgun is small. It doesn’t take much to lift a gun to the top level — a few more passes with a file, a bit more attention to detail, a little more refined eye for aesthetics. But it’s these extras that add up [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Oct 4th, 2011
The hammer dropped today at Julias on this stunning Boss O/U. When the action stopped, one hand was up and the bid was $165,000! With the 15% premium, that means the new owner of this spectacular double barrel shotgun will write a check for about $190,000. I saw this over-and-under shotgun at Julia’s preview on [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Sep 30th, 2011
Work! It really gets in the way. If I didn’t need the money, I wouldn’t go. It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the office, so I’ve had little time for being here (or in the field). BUT tomorrow is October 1 — the best time of the year –and I’ll be out bright and early, [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Sep 7th, 2011
If you shoot an over & under, you owe a debt to this double-barrel shotgun. It’s the first O/U built by Boss & Co. Completed in 1909, it was a turning point in shotgun design and one of the reasons O/Us are so popular today. Shotguns with stacked barrels have been around since firearms were created. While [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Sep 3rd, 2011
Rock gods live good lives, or at Eric Clapton does. Clapton is a big shooter and he has a passion/obsession for fine double-barrel shotguns. “It’s following the same pattern as when I collected guitars, cars and watches. I start out with a fairly broad spectrum, get obsessed and engulfed and finally narrow the collection down. [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Aug 17th, 2011
Here are three great double barrel shotguns on the market right now. Today. As we speak. First is this pair of 12g Boss side-by-sides at Lewis Drake’s. Boss & Co. made some of the finest doubles ever. This pair is a great example of just how beautiful they can be. Second is this Belgian 12 [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Jul 5th, 2011
Here’s are an example of something that drives me nuts: crappy metal-to-metal fit. You see this on all kinds of guns, from the cheapest to the most expensive. Sometimes it’s because of age, sometimes it’s because of a poor repair, and other times it ‘s from plain shitty craftsmanship. First, lets start with how things [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Jul 30th, 2010
How much is a Boss 20 gauge, round-body with 17″ barrels worth? How about $40,000! At least that is one brought a few weeks ago at Bonhams’ July 18th action. Here’s its description from the catalog: A fine and highly unusual 20-bore (3in) single-trigger assisted-opening round-bodied sidelock ejector gun by Boss & Co., no. 7788 [...]
Posted in DOUBLES on Feb 12th, 2010
Passion is insanity. I’m passionate about hunting dogs, double barrel shotguns, and bird hunting. Sometimes, this passion drives me to do crazy things. Boss & Co., James Purdey & Sons, and Holland & Holland are known as the three top gunmakers in London. For 150+ years, they’ve made some of the finest doubles in the [...]
