Dogs and Doubles

4 gauges, 8gs, & more. See an insane collection of big bores……

by Gregg
R.B Rodda 4 Bore hammer shotgun at Giles Marriott in the UK
R.B Rodda 4 Bore hammer shotgun at Giles Marriott in the UK

If you’ve ever wanted to own a big-bore shotgun, this is your opportunity to get one.

Giles Marriott is a dealer in the UK who specializes in vintage side-by-sides, over-unders, and other fine guns. Right now he has this amazing group of big-bore shotguns on his site.

Auguste Francotte 4 Bore hammer shotgun for sale now at Giles Marriott UK
Auguste Francotte 4 Bore hammer shotgun for sale now at Giles Marriott UK

It includes everything from 4-bores like this vintage SxS Francotte hammergun and this 2-gun set of modern Watson sidelocks (these guns must have have cost $100,000+ each to make).

Watson Brothers 4 Bore hand detachable, single trigger, sidelock ejectors, for sale at Giles Marriott, UK
Watson Brothers 4 Bore hand detachable, single trigger, sidelock ejectors, for sale at Giles Marriott, UK

The collection also includes bunch of 8 gauges and some nice 10 gauges, including this incredible bar-in-wood Horsley.

Thomas Horsley & Son 8 bore Bar-in-wood Shotgun for sale at Giles Marriott in the UK
Thomas Horsley & Son 8 bore Bar-in-wood Shotgun for sale at Giles Marriott in the UK

Eight-gauges and even four-gauges were common in the US around the Chesapeake Bay and other big waterfowling areas. Affluent shooters used them to pass shoot ducks, geese, and swans.

Holland & Holland 8 bore double shotgun for sale by Giles Marriott in the UK
Holland & Holland 8 bore double shotgun for sale by Giles Marriott in the UK

While waterfowl hunting with shotguns larger than 10 gauges was outlawed in the US in the ’30s, it remained legal in the UK. Judging by fantastic condition of these guns, I doubt they’ve spent much time in the field.

W.C Scott 10 bore shotgun for sale at Giles Marriott in the UK
W.C Scott 10 bore shotgun for sale at Giles Marriott in the UK

Recent Posts

See this week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …
by Gregg
WESTLEY RICHARDS DROP LOCK (FUNERAL FINISH) 12 BORE SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN
From this cool Westley Richards droplock and a true elephant gun to a 28g Parker Reproduction with double triggers and two great looking Spanish sidelocks, one in 28g, the other in 20g. See all these great doubles now.

2 thoughts on “4 gauges, 8gs, & more. See an insane collection of big bores……”

  2. Great point. It’s big but doesn’t look big.

    8-bores are coming out of the woodwork these days. There’s a hammerless Purdey coming up in the UK and a hammerless Boss coming up at Rock Island.

    If only I had a use for one…

    Gregg

Comments are closed.