8 bore | Dogs and Doubles

See this week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …

February 20, 2022 by Gregg

Truly Exceptional and exceedingly rare Holland and Holland Dominion Grade 8 Bore shotgun with Huey case – A wonderful big bore: Easily the single finest 8ga Holland and Holland I’ve ever had the privilege of handling, this very rare Dominion Grade gun, made in 1903, made with 32″ fluid steel barrels with maker name and Bond street address on tops. Large splinter forend is checkered in point pattern with horn tip. Hand detachable case hardened locks with nice border engraved and frame is also case hardened and border engraved. Locks aslo engraved “Holland and Holland” on both sides. Beautifully figured English walnut buttstock is checkered in point pattern through the wrist and terminates with its original hard Silvers type pad. The gun has double triggers and extractors, safety with the word “SAFE” in gold. The gun is housed in a fantastic Marvin Huey fully furnished oak and leather case with accessories which itself is a work of art and $4500 to replace today. This gun remains in superb all original condition (exceedingly rare) with more than 97% original barrel blue. The locks and action retain nearly all of their original case color with toning at carry point but colors still present on most all surfaces. Particularly vivid on locks. The stocks are sound and retain nearly all of their factory original finish with only the most minor of handling marks. Bores are brilliant and shiny. Mechanics are crisp. The case is excellent to near mint with only a few minor rubs. It would be impossible to find a finer 8ga Holland and this is by far the most choice I have examined. Price: $49,500

W&C Scott Crown Grade 28 gauge—cased and near new! Sure to please! for sale: This 28 gauge Abercrombie & Fitch import is in outstanding all original condition. A Crown Grade W&C Scott with 25 inch barrels bored improved cylinder and full.(.009 & .022). The wood has much better then average wood and the dimensions are 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 14 3/4 inches. In the factory case with accessories and a correct label. It weighs 5 pounds 6.6 ounces and will make a dandy field gun. Check out the pictures and I think you’ll agree. Price: $5950

Orvis Custom 28 Gauge – ARRIETA MODEL 578, 99% FACTORY FINISHES: 5lbs 13oz, Chokes SK/LM, LOP 13 7/8″, DAH 2 3/8″, DAC 1 1/2″. Serial Number: 37459. Orvis periodically creates a custom shotgun offering with “Orvis Custom” labeling and some very nice, upgraded features. You will see these custom labeled guns made by various quality makers over the years. This gun was produced for Orvis by Arrieta of Spain. The Arrieta y CIA is one of the finest of the Spanish made shotguns produced in the true Basque traditions. Michael McIntosh praises the Arrieta in his book “Best Guns” and in fact carried his Arrieta afield as much as any other gun he owned. The Basque makers were famous for making quality “copies” of other guns, and this Arrieta is a Holland & Holland sidelock action produced to perfection. With chopper lump barrels, removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, stocked to the fences, drop points, beaded fences, sculpted frame, cocking indicators, deep chiseled, hand chiseled engraving, perfectly struck barrels, file cut rib, you have ALL OF THE BEST GUN FEATURES AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE! This gun, sn37459 built in 1984 was special ordered by Orvis with the options of case colored receiver and skeleton buttplate. Weighing in at 5lbs. 13oz. and balanced on the hinge pin, she is just what you would expect of a fine sidelock 28ga. game gun…dynamic handling characteristics and lightning fast mounting for the fast flush of quail, grouse, woodcock, or the wild upland birds of the western plains. This gun will be a delight for all day walks over hill and dale. These guns ran over $6800 when new, and this gun has barely been carried or fired. You might as well save hundreds of dollars and buy this one. Cased in a nice canvas and leather case with accessories and Arrieta trade label worth over $450, the case adds a lot of value to a fine little shotgun like this small bore. Arrieta closed its doors several years ago and there are no more being made. You will not find a better value in a modern, Holland & Holland style sidelock small gauge gun. Price: $4,950

Christoph Funk for Baker & Kimball, Boston 32″ Vent Rib Original Single Trigger: The action is in original condition with some colors remaining, single,selective trigger original to the gun, auto safe, very tight scroll engraving with an attractive fancy back action and a stippled top, cross-bolt, ejectors are in time, nitro proofs and tight on face. The selector for the single trigger works via the top safe and is very intuitive. The barrels are 32″ with perfect bores, .724/.724 and chokes: over, .025 and under .020. 2 3/4″ chambers, full length vent rib, blue is near perfect with only a small amount of wear at the end of the fore end. This gun shoots very well with RST 7 1/2 Pigeon loads and also with 7 1/2- 2 1/2″ light loads. The patterns are wonderful and 3/4 above with both shells. The stocks are both in great condition with nice finish, small chequering that shows some wear, bone inlays original based on seeing another of these with them, 14 1/2″ length of pull to a Silvers pad, the pistol grip butt is sligthly cast off with a high straight comb, 1 3/4″ drop at comb and 2 3/8″ drop at heel, weight is 8lbs 9oz and the guns balances forward of the hinge pin. Price: $3,650

Browning Shotgun BSS Sporter 20 Gauge: This is a rare find. A New Unfired BSS 20 Gauge with Box and Manual! 26″ barrels Left Choke Full, Right Choke Modified with 3″ chambers. Barrrel Selector behind Trigger. Straight stock with beautiful wood. LOP is 14 1/4 ” Original owner, stored assembled in a safe. Barrels Stamped Browning Arms Co Morgan Utah and Montreal, Made in Japan. Gun only assembled for storage, pictures and to remove most original grease (some remains in the tight spots.) Gun is factory tight as the day it was made. Serial Number 03218PZ168 Buyer pays shipping. Price: $3,250

Auction alert: 8-gauge Ralph Grant SxS plus ammo …

January 25, 2019 by Gregg

Here’s something you almost never see for sale in the U.S: A modern 8g SxS shotgun. It’s on Gunbroker.com now and the online auction ends on 2/4/2019 @ 8:30 PM.

These days, 8-gauge shotguns are mythical beasts, like Gryphons or a Hydras. But at the end of the 19th century and into the first part of the 20th, good-quality 8 gauge shotguns were common up and down the Eastern seaboard and anywhere in the US where guys hunted waterfowl. And no, they weren’t used as “market” guns. Instead, they were used to pass shoot ducks, geese, and swans at long ranges.

Unfortunately, in the 1930s the Federal Government outlawed the use of 8 gauges on migratory birds, and that killed demand for them. Today, some states allow you to use them for turkeys and predator hunting. Others state don’t allow you to hunt with them at all.

That being said, the 8 gauges have always had a following in the UK and they remain legal. This gun was made to meet that demand. Built in Spain and imported into Great Britain, it found its way over here. Now you have the chance to bring it home.

Ralph Grant Eight Bore SXS Shotgun plus Ammo 8 Ga: Ralph Grant, a retailer from Leicester, England marketed these fine Spanish made shotguns in England and the water table bears both Eibar and Birmingham proofs. Made in 1985, it features 32” barrels with 3-1/2” chambers, full chokes (fixed) and raised matted rib with mid and front beads, engraved and coin finished double bite boxlock action with bushed firing pins and automatic safety, double bordered hand checkered stocks with beavertail forend with Anson release and 14-5/8” LOP butt with ventilated recoil pad.

8 gauge ammo for the 8g Ralph Grant Boxlock SxS shotgun

It comes with two sealed boxes and two loose rounds of English made Gamebore Cartridge Company, Ltd. The Mammoth Heavy Load 3-1/2” black powder 2-ounce number 5’s for a total of 22 cartridges. It is in excellent condition retaining 98% high luster blue with thinning at the muzzles and breech ends, 99% bright finished frame, perfect bores and completely sound stocks with scattered light to moderate handling marks. Lock-up is 100% on-face with zero play, the top lever comes to rest well right of center and the action works perfectly. Ya know that bird that’s laughing at you from way up there? Ruin his day.

An big 8 gauge from a mysterious American maker..

September 14, 2017 by Gregg

P. Mullin New York SxS 8 Gauge Hammer Shotgun

Here’s a tough shotgun to find. It’s an 8 gauge waterfowler by an American “maker” named Patrick Mullin, and it’s on a Henry-Jones Patent action. It was probably built in 1870s.

In its day, this big-bore shotgun was far too expensive to be used by a commercial hunter as a “market gun”. Instead, a wealthy sportsman would have specially ordered it and used it in marshes, shorelines and flyways to pass shoot waterfowl at long ranges (80+ yards) and knock down big birds like geese and swans.

Patrick Mullin made guns in New York City from around 1850-1870. He was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1814 and trained in Dublin and London before moving to the U.S.

On his death in 1895, the New York Times published his obituary and wrote “He turned out guns of his own handiwork that were unsurpassed in excellence.” Here’s a Mullin 8 bore muzzeloader that shows just how beautiful his work could be.

But while we know who Mullin was, the mysterious part of his legacy is just how much of his guns he actually built. On this 8 gauge, I’m calling Mullin the “maker” because he didn’t make that much of it. Even though his name is on the locks and barrels, all of those, plus the action and leverwork, came from the UK. Mullin may have stocked the gun and finished it off. But that’s it.

Regardless, though, it’s beautifully made. Too bad it isn’t in better shape like the one you see here.

P. Mullin New York SxS 8 Gauge Hammer Shotgun

8 gauge Mullin shotgun, top-quality British locks

8 gauge Mullin shotgun, first-rate inletting for locks

Stock Dimensions	13 3/4″ LOP
Status	available
Metal Condition	Fair, Finish Wear Nicks and Scratches, Areas of Light Corrosion
Trigger	Double Triggers, Side Hammers
Gun Library	LaVista, NE
Barrel	38 1/2″
Fore End	Checkered
Butt	Metal Butt Plate
Sights	Single Gold Bead
Wood Condition	Stock is Fair, Small Nicks, Scratches and Dents and Large Split Left Side
Weight	14 Lbs 12 ozs

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com…

June 18, 2017 by Gregg

PARKER DH DAMASCUS SxS 28 GAUGE 1 OF 8 MADE BEST IN THE WORLD: O FRAME
#121XXX 26″ DAMASCUS FULL AND FULL 2 1/2″ CHAMBERS. DOUBLE TRIGGER EXTRACTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP SKELETON BUTT. YOU WILL NEVER SEE A BETTER MORE ORIGINAL. 5LBS 8 OZ X 2 1/2″ X 1 9/16″ X 14 1/4″ Price: $59,500

PARKER PH DAMASCUS SIDE-BY-SIDE 20 GAUGE: #88XXX, O FRAME, 30″ DAMASCUS BARRELS IC AND IC 2 1/2″ CHAMBERS DOUBLE TRIGGER EXTRACTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT NEAR MINT ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH ALOT OF CASE COLORS 6LBS 11 OZ X 3 X 2 X 14 TO DOGS HEAD BUTT. Price: $5,500

J P Clabrough impressive 8 gauge Side-by-Side sidelock hammer double: SxS hammer shotgun, circa 1887. Until acquiring this gun I couldn’t use the words massive and beautiful in the same sentence when describing a shotgun! The 36” barrels are Damascus steel with the pattern showing nicely, slightly browning with flawless/bright bores and chambers. The barrels are fitted to a finely, fully engraved frame featuring with lots of scroll and game scene vignettes of pheasants on the left side and English black grouse on the right side with good traces of original colors present. The engraved English black grouse were something of a “signature” engraving pattern on Clabrough mid and higher grade guns. The double triggers are housed by a large trigger guard and the bottom tang that is fitted all the way to the engraved metal pistol grip cap. The stock has a 14” LOP to the center of the original horn buttplate, 2” DAC and 3” DAH with neutral cast. The stock and cross pin forearm have all of their original finishes with a fair amount of handling marks and yet no cracks or chips. This is a really spectacular example of a Clabrough gun and an even more incredible example of an early 8 gauge, graded hammer gun. By the “way” it weighs 13 lbs. 15 oz. SN: 16821 Price: $5,150

AyA No.1 - 20ga - Churchill Style Gun - - 25" IC / M - Churchill Rib — AyA No.1 – 20ga – Churchill Style Gun – – 25″ IC / M – Churchill Rib

AyA No.1 Sidelock Ejector – 20ga, 2-3/4″, 25″ IC / M (.006 / .015) Churchill Rib: Double Triggers – Front Articulated, English Stock, Splinter Forearm, LOP 14-3/8″ over a very nicely executed 1″ Leather Covered Pad, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2-3/8″, Slight Cast Off for the Right Hand. Weight 6 lbs. 1 oz. A Very Nice, High Quality, little gun that would be perfect for Quail or Grouse. Originally, the number 2 gun of a pair. Overall Excellent Condition. Metal finishes at 98% or better. Bores are flawless. Oil finished stocks excellent with some typical handling marks. This gun has more engraving than any Model No. 2 I’ve seen, so I believe it is a Model No. 1. Price: $3450

L. Van Cauwenberghe SxS Boxlock Shotgun 16 GA: $799.99
Chambers: 2 3/4″
Metal Condition: Excellent, Light Finish Wear, Small Nicks & Scratches
Wood Condition: Stock is Excellent, Minor Nicks and Scratches
Bore Condition: Bright
Barrels: 27 1/2
Triggers: Double Triggers

Stock: Semi Gloss Finish
Stock Dimensions: 14 1/4″ LOP
Fore End: Checkered
Butt Pad: Factory Butt Plate
Weight: 6 Lbs 8 ozs
Sights: Single Gold Bead
Chokes: Fixed IM / Full

Two beasts: An American 8 gauge, a British 4 gauge …

January 13, 2017 by Gregg

Big & beautiful. E. M. Reilly 4 gauge SxS Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun

If you collect big bore, waterfowling shotguns, or want to start, you’re in luck: Two of finest you’ll ever find are coming up in James D. Julia’s April, 2017, auction. In their day, big bores like these were far too expensive to be used by commercial hunters as “market guns.”

Instead, they were bought by well-off sportsmen and used to pass shoot ducks, geese and even swans. From what I’ve read, as hunting pressure along the Eastern flyways increased, waterfowl became warier (and scarcer). To bring them down, hunters needed guns that could reach out further. With their big loads and heavy charges, big bores were able to do this.

Big & beautiful. E. M. Reilly 4 gauge SxS Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun

A monstrous & fabulous E.M. Reilly 4 gauge Side-by-Side hammer shotgun. I’ve had this double in my hands, and it’s incredible. To help it resist corrosion, it was nickel-plated and it features no engraving. It was probably made in England in the 1870s, and it remains in incredible — and to my eye — all original condition. Interestingly, it has stalking safeties on it – a feature normally reserved for hammer rifles.

An awesome 8 gauge L.C, Smith Quality 2. Stunning original condition.

An L.C. Smith 8 gauge Quality No. 2 Side-by-Side hammerless shotgun. I’m pretty sure this shotgun popped up on the market a few years ago. If it’s the same gun, it’s in incredible original condition and pretty much new. L.C. Smith probably made fewer than 50 eight gauges. This one has to be the finest one in existence. The Quality No. 2 was L.C. Smith’s lower middle grade. The company built them from 1890-1914 and made 12,483 total. Of those, just 38 were 8 gauges.

An awesome 8 gauge L.C, Smith Quality 2. Stunning original condition.

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com…

January 3, 2016 by Gregg

WESTLEY RICHARDS 8 BORE- 16 Lbs. 3 Oz.- EXHIBIT PIECE at PARIS WORLD’S FAIR in 1900- 26″ FULLY RIFLED DAMASCUS Bbls.- EXC. BORES- CASED: Westley Toplever Centerfire Patent Ejector 8 Bore Rifle Finished in 1900 as an Exhibition Piece for the Paris World’s Fair in 1900, The barrels are 26″ Ejector Damascus fully rifled with 9 groove rifling with “C” Bolting” Dolls Head extension with a Third Bite, They both are initialed “F.L.” which most likely was Fred Lilley, A swamped concave stippled and engraved rib with 2 folding engraved sights at 50 & 100 yards, The rib engraved “3 1/4″ Case 12 Drams Spherical Ball 10 Drams Conical Bullet” which is special as the rifling pitch is such to handle both a round or conical bullet with the 12 dram or 10 dram load respectively, Top tang safety, Full length trigger guard tang to a steel engraved grip cap with a Bull Elephant engraved on the trigger guard bow, Extremely solid and sound wood with very nice color & contrast, Shadowline cheekpiece, Checkered side panels with carved teardrops, Sling eyes, Deeley & Edge forend release with a horn tip, John Deeley was the managing director of Westley from 1872 to 1899, He helped create the famous Anson & Deeley action, Great stock length at 15 1/8″ LOP over a 7/8″ Silvers pad, Great weight at 16 Lbs. 3 Oz., This is a full rifled set of barrels and the bores remain excellent and I would put the right bore at 90% and the left bore at 95-96% from the day they were rifled, All the screws are in very good to excellent shape and nearly everyone lays north & south, Original damascus pattern remains at 80%, The wood finish remains at 90%, The checkering remains at 97%, The whole is cased in an oak & leather brass cornered trunk with proper cleaning accessories. This is an interesting 8 bore with an Anson & Deeley toplever action with ejectors and certainly worthy as an exhibit gun at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900. It comes with a very interesting and original Paris World’s Fair catalog that is great reading of a bygone era. Price: $45,000

PARKER PH IN RARE 8GA WITH 38″ BARRELS: VISIBLE PATINA ON PLAIN TWIST BARRELS, SILVER BROWN RECEIVER WITH SOME SPOTTING, NICE STRONG ENGRAVING, MARKED P ON WATER TABLE WHICH HAS NICE CASE COLORS AND SHOWS ALMOST NO SIGN OF USE ON THE FACE AROUND THE FIRING PIS, GOOD WOOD WITH NO CRACKS AND SOME HUNTING DINGS, BEAUTIFUL SHINY BORE, 1 OF 11 38″ PARKER 8GA GUNS AND ONE OF 2 MARKED PT 8GA 38″ IN THE PARKER BOOK(CHART ON PAGE 1003), MADE IN 1913. Price: $19,500

FAMARS Castore 12G Sidelock SXS Self Cocking Hammer Gun: This is a stunning FAMARS 12G Side-by-Side Shotgun. A true sidelock. Manufactured in the 70s, this gun represents the heyday of the FAMARS organization which was known for its high quality and beautiful craftmanship. Price: $16,500.
– Beautifully browned 28″ barrels choked R(.017) and L(.031). Concave rib. Notice pix showing minor marks on barrels.
– ARMI FAMARS appears in gold on the top rib and on the sidelocks. The gold FAMARS emblem is on the forend.
– Beautiful engraving by Pasolini as inscribed on the gun. Engraving is of the very fine European style but subtle and not overdone. Neptune dragon on top lever with a gold crown.
– Self cocking lower profile hammers. Double triggers.
– Stock dimensions: 15 1/4″ LOP over 1″ leather pad which shows wear. 1 5/8″ DAC and 2 1/2″ DAH. Slight cast on for LH shooter. Weight 7 lbs. 10oz.
– Wood very nicely grained.
– Original maker’s black leather trunk case.

MERKEL, O/U, model 201E PreWar (Mfg 1929), 20 GA: 28 1/2”, F& F, ST, Capped Pistol Grip, 3-piece Forened, Solid Rib, Fine Scroll & Rosette Engraving, Casehardened Receiver, Pad, Dimensions 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 14 3/8 with 1/4 cast off, Weight 6#3oz, 2 1/2″ chambers, ID 3846, Near EXC. Condition. Price: $3,900

W W GREENER FH35 12ga Sold by Abrecrombie & Fitch in 1936 w/papers & hang tag: This is a one owner W.W. GREENER MODEL FH35 in 12 gauge with ejectors. Excellent overall condition. 30″ Full Choke barrels with excellent bores. Barrel blue is about 99% original. Case colors are about 50/60%. Beautiful walnut wood. Comes with original bill of sale dated 1936 from Abercrombie & Fitch, New York, And original hang tag. Price: $3500

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com …

December 13, 2015 by Gregg

MANTON 8 BORE EXPRESS- 17 Lbs. 7 Oz. of REAL TURN of the CENTURY SPORT- 24″ FULLY RIFLED STEEL Bbls.- EXC PLUS BORES- CASES & ALL LOADING DATA: #5770, Manton & Co. Gun Makers To H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. K.G. London & Calcutta: A large Jones Action Underlever Back-Action Rebounding Hammer 8 Bore Black Powder Express Shoulder Double Rifle Made with a 3 1/4″ Case and with 24″ Steel fully rifled barrels with a rib extension dolls head, Full length rib with 1 standing & 3 folding platinum lined rear sights at 50 – 100 & 150, Percussion style fences, Full length trigger guard tang to a steel engraved grip cap, Extremely solid and sound wood with nice color & contrast, Shadowline cheekpiece, Sling eyes, Lever release forend, Great stock length at 14 1/2″ LOP over a 7/8″ Silvers pad, Great weight at 17 Lbs. 7 Oz., This is a full rifled set of barrels and the bores remain excellent plus and I would put them at 92-93% from the day they were cut, All the screws are in very good to excellent shape and nearly everyone lays north & south including the 6 inside the forend, It has been professionally refinished from stem to stern with fresh case colors, The whole is cased in a high quality oak & leather trunk with a trade label. This piece is accurate, comes with the proper head stamped cases, bullets, bullet mold, wads and all the loading data will be provided. It is ready to go hunting and a whole bunch of fun shooting. There are 8 bores and then there are other 8 bores but one would have to go a fair distance to come up with a more solid gun than this Manton with barrels that are in excellent condition inside and out plus it has the proper weight and great length of pull. To quote Mr. Geoffrey Boothroyd “Few people would dispute that the most famous name in the history of British gunmaking is that of Manton”. Manton in this era called the 8, 10 & 12 bores as “Big Game” rifles; the 450, 500 & 577’s were called “Express Rifles” and the 400 & 470 as “High Velocity” rifles. Price: $39,000

Francotte 20E 16 Gauge SxS Shotgun, 1926, FACTORY ORIGINAL HIGH CONDITION: 5lb 12oz, Side by Side, Serial # 81889. his Francotte Model 20E is a sideplated box lock gun that is a mid-grade gun from this maker. Built in 1926 during the time when quality reigned supreme, this little Francotte retains most of its factory original condition with 85% vivid case color, clear sharp deep chiseled engraving, excellent screws, mirror bores, 98% factory blue, beautifully figured European walnut with excellent checkering…just a beautiful little 16 bore. Weighing just 5 3/4lbs. and balanced just ahead of the hinge pin with 28″ barrels choked LM/IM (.014/.024 restrictions, can be altered to your specs in our shop within 10 days of purchase), this is the epitome of the upland game gun. The gun is mechanically excellent in all ways, with strong well timed ejectors, crisp double triggers, tight as new on hinge and breech face, this is the way you like to find them. The Francotte guns are one of the best buys in the fine gun world and known for strength and durability while being quite refined. This gun has 5 locking points; Greener cross bolt, double underlug bites, sideclips, and through the frame barrel lug…just as good as you can get and being 90 years old and still tight as new, a testament to its design. Compare this gun to any other offerings for condition and features and you will agree it is priced to sell. Price: $6,450

ENGLISH DOUBLE BARREL HAMMERGUN BY “JOSEPH HARKOM & SON, EDINBURGH: 12 gauge, 30″ damascus steel barrels. Casehardened and engraved back action locks, carved fences, underlever action. Three position hammers and extractors. In lovely condition with very crisp engraving with the action and locks showing much of the case colors fading. The barrels showing a nice pattern and have been professionally rebrowned. Beautiful wood and checkering. Dimensions: Barrels measure .728″ in both barrels. Chokes are cylinder bored. Walls exceed .028″ Weight: 7lbs 1oz. LOP: 14 5/8″ to a steel buttplate. Comb: 1 1/2″ Heel: 2″. Price: $3,950

L.C. SMITH WILDFOWL 3″ Chambers 12GA 32″ bbls: A Classic American Side-by-Side Water Fowl gun. Price: $1800
Manufacturer: HUNTER ARMS
Model: L.C.SMITH WILDFOWL
Serial Number: R191118
Chambers: 3″
Barrels: 32″
Gauge: 12
Stock Comb: 1 1/2IN
Stock Heel: 2 1/2in
Butt Pad: LONDON STYLE
LOP: 14 1/2IN
Weight: 8.25LBS
Manufacture Date: 1939
Choke Left: FULL
Choke Right: FULL
Proof:Nitro: YES

J.P. Sauer & Sohn Suhl SxS 12 Ga Shotgun with straight stock: Price: $1,199.99
Caliber: 12 Ga.
Metal Condition: Excellent.
Wood Condition: Excellent Light handling Marks..
Bore Condition: Excellent.
Barrels: 28 Inches. With a Greener Style cross bolt break.
Triggers: Double Triggers.
Stock: Walnut with diamond pattern on grip.
Fore End: Walnut with diamond.
Butt Pad: Factory with embossed logo.
Weight: 7 Pounds

Auction alert: W & C Scott 8 gauge, Masquelier 28 gauge, Westley Richards 12 gauge and more…

January 9, 2014January 8, 2014 by Gregg

Lot 69: Impressive W. & C. Scott & Son 8 bore Percussion Double Shotgun: 33″ damascus barrels with bright gray bores showing some pitting. The barrels display 80% of a smooth brown and silver pattern, more pronounced under the forestock, with increasing fading toward the muzzles. The rib is marked “London Fine Twist” and crisp proof marks are present under the forestock. The plain locks are marked with the maker’s name on both sides and exhibit 70% original case color with scattered specks of oxidation. The hammers show 30% color turning brown and the triggerguard with its extended front finial displays a brown and pewter patina. The straight grip stock rates very good exhibiting scattered scratches and minor dings over a darkened and dull original finish and displaying a well checkered grip which remains robust although with some soiling. There is a steel buttplate present turning brown providing a length of 14 3/8″ and a German silver monogram oval is inlaid into the toeline. In addition, the forestock is equipped with double cross pins mounted in German silver escutcheons. Four ramrod thimbles are mounted to the barrel, two under the forestock which facilitate the cross pins, holding what appears to be the original ebony ramrod with brass ram. This big bore shotgun was built in the late 1860’s, and considering that it was made for rough usage waterfowl hunting, remains in remarkable condition. Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500

Lot 131: J. P. Sauer Prussian 20 gauge Boxlock Double Shotgun: Serial #143338, 20 ga., 26″ matted rib Krupp steel barrels choked modified and improved modified with bright very good to excellent bores showing some very faint scattered pitting. The barrels retain 85 to 90% blue showing a few scattered rub marks and scratches with fading around the muzzles and breeches. The frame is embellished with some flourishes of scroll engraving and borders and exhibits 20% case color in protected areas with the remaining surfaces turning to bright pewter with brown highlights. The triggerguard is mottled silver although the top lever retains 70% blue. The round knob pistolgrip stock and splinter forearm rate good to very good exhibiting scattered minor dings and scratches, showing a small repaired chip in the toe, a minute hairline crack behind the top tang, and tiny chips in the left front edge of the forearm all over a drying oil finish. Checkering is well defined although soiled, the forearm pattern displaying a few impact marks. The forearm has a lever release showing some remaining blue and the buttstock has an older Jostam recoil pad fitted providing a length of 14 3/8″ and drops of 1 5/8″ at the comb, 2 3/4″ at the heel, and no cast and it weighs 5 lbs. 8 ozs. There is a German silver monogram oval mounted in the toeline and the gun features double triggers, extractors, and an automatic safety. This is a quality shotgun probably manufactured around WWI. The action is tight and functions fine. A great little bird gun. Estimate: $1,200 – $1,800

Lot 132: Masquelier Model 120 28 gauge Boxlock Double Shotgun: Serial #60287, 28 ga., 31 3/4″ matted rib barrels choked modified and full with bright excellent bores showing one small spot of pinprick pitting just ahead of the left chamber. The barrels retain 97% blue displaying some fading around the muzzles and a couple of tiny oxidation specks under the forearm. Both barrels are marked with the maker’s name and city (Liege) and are border engraved at the breech. The frame is lightly embellished with engraved borders around the pins and along the bolsters and exhibits 95% vibrant case color with some fading along the edges and under the blued top lever. The triggerguard retains about 60% blue showing even wear and a few scratches. The round knob pistolgrip stock and splinter forearm rate very good to excellent displaying a few scratches and small dings over a strong varnish showing a little crazing. Checkering is done in a simple point pattern and remains robust but lightly soiled. The forearm has a push button release with case colored furniture and there is a thin grooved horn buttplate installed having a few dings providing a length of 15″ with drops of 1 3/8″ at the comb, 2 3/8″ at the heel and 1/4″ cast off. Sling swivels are affixed to the toeline of the stock and soldered to the under side of the barrels and the gun features double triggers, extractors, automatic safety, Greener cross bolt, and sideclips. Included is a European type leather sling and a Masquelier catalog. This is a very unusual shotgun in little used condition, obviously made for a large person and not one of those puny super light wonders which are hard to shoot. It would make an awesome dove or clays gun. Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500

Lot 134: Westley Richards 12 Gauge Special Double Trap Double Ejectorgun: Serial #T11626, 12 ga., 28″ ventilated rib barrels choked full and full with bright excellent bores. The barrels retain 90% blue showing some light scratches, rub marks under the forearm and patches of silver at the muzzle. The barrels are marked “Westley Richards” on the right tube and “London” on the left and the frame is embellished with light scroll engraving and stylized borders having banners on both sides with the maker’s name. It exhibits 80% case color with fading on the edges and the bottom plate retains about 90% blue with some staining on the lower left side. About 70% blue shows on the triggerguard, the edges and tang turning silver. The round knob pistolgrip stock rates very good to excellent displaying a few light handling marks and one small chip behind the top tang over a smooth rubbed oil finish. The beavertail forearm shows a few more marks and a hairline crack to the left back edge and one to the right front edge, both appearing stable, over the same smooth oil finish. Checkering is well executed in the English flat top style exhibiting light wear and impact marks with some soiling. There are nicely carved dropper points behind the stock shields and a gold monogram oval is inlaid into the toeline with the letters “D.W.V.” inscribed upon it in block letters. A Pachmayr rubber recoil pad has been fitted providing a length of 14″ with drops of 1 1/2″ at the comb, 2″ at the heel, and 1/4″ cast off. The gun is equipped with a Miller single non selective trigger, ejectors, and a non automatic safety. The action is tight and the mechanism functions well. A contemporary canvas trunk case is included with paper maker’s trade label, model specifications, and a Royal warrant all affixed to the inside of the lid. Also included are numerous documents relating to the lineage of the gun from Westley Richards to Abercrombie & Fitch to William Earle Umstattd, president of the Timkin Roller Bearing Company. Within this mix of information is an Authentication Certificate from Westley Richards along with a copy of the factory ledger, a Certificate of Inventory & Disposition and copy of the company inventory of 1951 from Griffin & Howe, and a brief family history of Mr. Umstattd. In addition, other miscellaneous papers including company letters and information are included. All in all, an interesting yet very practical well made shotgun for field, clays, or live pigeons. Estimate: $3,500 – $5,000

The week’s good guns: powered by Gunsinternational.com…

November 12, 2013November 11, 2013 by Gregg

WW GREENER REHT60 SXS DOUBLE RIFLE 360 #2 3″ NITRO EXPRESS: 26″ BARRELS WITH A 3 LEAF EXPRESS SIGHT DOUBLE TRIGGERS EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP INLETTED ENGRAVED AND CHECKERED STEEL BUTT PLATE NEAR NEW ORIGINAL CONDITION 10LBS 8 OZ X 14 1/2. Price: $32,500.00

8 Bore R.B. Rodda Double Rifle, owned by gun writer Jack Lott: 22″ barrels have very very good bores with strong rifling and mike at .875 which indicates a rare brass case rifle, actually a 7 Bore. The rifle has non-rebounding locks that work excellently and it locks up tight on the face. This was a working rifle and has sparse engraving and shows wear as there is very little finish left, however mechanically it is excellent! The stock is solid and the wood to metal fit is very good with no proud metal. The pull is about 14 1/2″ over a black recoil pad. The steel barrels were made by Adams and Tate and have a dolls head extension. It has a lever forend with a metal grip cap and vacant metal shield let into the stock. Jack Lott shot the rifle with 10 to 12 drams of black powder and either a 1000 grain round ball or a 1250 grain conical. He commented on how well it shot with the 12 dram load. The file cut rib has one fixed rear sight. It comes with a modern round ball mold, brass cases and wads. Here is a solid 8 Bore in the rare 22″ barrel length with steel barrels with an interesting provenance with Jack Lott, featured in the Guns and Ammo publication “Big Bore Rifles” authored by Jack Lott. Price: $28,500.00

Merkel — 303-EHand-Detachable Sidelock Ejector — 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Chambers: 30″ O/U matted vent-rib barrels of Bohler Special steel with ivory bead choked extra full & extra full. 14 7/8″pull from articulated front trigger to thin black recoil pad. 1 1/2″ – 1 7/8″drop. 3/8″ cast-off. Highly figured walnut stock with slender three-piece Deeley-release forend, the captive sections of which each retained by four engraved horn-bushed screws, black capped pistol grip and with chinstrap and classic point-pattern checkering. Concealed-release, hand-detachable sidelock with intercepting sears, cocking indicators, double underbites and double Kersten locks, automatic ejectors and manual top tang safety, finished in French grey and finely game scene engraved with scenes of a hawk taking a pheasant to the left and a fox flushing grouse amongst the cornstalks on the right, all surrounded with scroll. Weight: 8lbs, 1oz. Built 1956, before the best craftsmen escaped the workers’ paradise. 99% blue. Tight, and with excellent bore. Price: $13,450

Johann Springer, Vienna — Boxlock Ejector Double Rifle — 9.3x74R : 25 1/2″ SxS dovetailed barrels of Krupp steel with full solid flat matted rib, 1 standing and 1 folding leaf sights engraved for 100 and 200 meters. Figured walnut stock with lever-release splinter forend, scalloped horn capped pistol grip, sidepanels, beaded pancake cheekpiece, sling swivels, classic point-pattern checkering and checkered steel trapdoor buttplate with compartments for three cartridges. Fine scroll engraved, scalloped, bolstered, casehardened action with Greener crossbolt passing through doll’s head extension, sideclips, double single-set triggers and automatic top-tang safety. Pull: 14 3/8″. Weight: 8lbs, 1oz. Built 1922. 99% barrel blue, fading dark case colors, tight action and excellent bores. Price: $6975.

L C Smith Hunter Arms No.2E 20 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun Auto-Ejectors Rare: 26″ BARRELS, FULL & MODIFIED, EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, FEATHERWEIGHT FAME, NO CASE COLOR. TYPICAL ENGRAVING WITH A QUAIL IN A CIRCLE ON THE LEFT AND A DUCK ON THE RIGHT, ALSO SCROLLWORK AND BORDERS. PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, GORGEOUS NICELY FIGURED WOOD. EXCELLENT SHARP CHECKERING, ORIGINAL CRIP CAP AND BUTTPLATE. PROFESSIONAL REPAIR AT THE WRIST. LOW DIMENSIONS 1 3/4″ X 3″ X 14″, 5 POUNDS 10 OUNCES. SCARCE LITTLE SMITH. ONLY 91 GRADE TWO 26″ 20 GAUGE GUNS WERE MADE. Price: $3800.00

Vintage double of the week – 8g Westley Richards…

December 23, 2011December 21, 2011 by Gregg

Any hammerless 8g double barrel is hard to come by, and when you throw in “rifle” you have a side by side that is almost unheard of. That’s what makes this 8 gauge Westley Richards double rifle so amazing. Factor in it’s condition and you have an incredible rare double – probably one of a kind. You can see more pics of it here.

This rifle pushed a 1,200 grain bullet. While the FPS probably wasn’t too high, I’m sure that much lead still hit with a big thud. I’m not sure what the original owner hunted with it — may the last remaining pocket of T Rexes.