Atkin | Dogs and Doubles

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

December 12, 2021 by Gregg

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK SXS 12 GAUGE: #1327 28″ 019″ & 036″ 2 3/4″, DOUBLE TRIGGERS, EJECTORS, SPLINTER FOREARM, ENGLISH GRIP, MINT ORIGINAL CONDITION, 6LBS 15 OZ, 2 1/4″ DAH, 1 1/2″ DAC, 14 7/8″ LOP. Price: $15,500

HENRY ATKIN HAMMER EXPRESS RIFLE .303 BRIT. – PRE1898 FLUID STEEL, JONES LEVER: Serial # 896 Country of Origin ENGLAND Barrel Length (in Inches) 27″ Choke R/U Choke L/O Trigger DT (Double) Stock Configuration Pistol Grip Forearm Type Splinter Forearm Rib Type 1/4 Rib Receiver Finish Casehardened Engraving Type Border Engraving Other Options HAMMER SAFETIES Condition EXC. Plus Condition Weight 8LB 15OZ Dimensions LOP 14-1/2″ Other Details PRE-1898, FLUID STEEL BARRELS, JONES UNDER LEVER Price: $12,500

Westley Richards 12 Gauge Boxlock Ejector As New Cased: The action on this gun is “as new” clean with original factory case colours, Westley Richards in Gold, tight scroll engraving 85% coverage, scalloped back action, “safe” inlaid in gold, most of the case color is left on the standing breech and water table. the blue on the guard has faded to a lighter blue/ plum color, both triggers and ejectors work perfectly. The barrels are 28″ with very long chokes, .015/.042, absolutely no marring of any kind/ Mirror bores, .729/.729, 2 3/4″ chambers to proof, the factory blue is in near perfect condition. The stock is a pistol grip/ splinter with beautiful contrasting wood, small 24-26LPI chequering, 14 1/2″ length of pull to a chequered butt. This stock is fairly high with a 1 1/2″ drop at comb and a 2″ drop at heel and neutral cast. The case looks to be original to the gun and is correct for the era, baise is clean and all furniture is good. 6lbs 7oz This is a nice high stocked, fixed lock, gun with forward balance in new condition. Price: $7,200

Westley Richard ~ Boxlock Ejector ~ 12 Gauge: Westley Richard Boxlock Ejector shotgun in great condition. This shotgun features a solid rib, long tang round knob grip, and a medallion in the stock. Finish loss throughout the receiver and around the muzzle. Wood has minor dings and wear but no cracks. SN: D1110 Metal Condition: Excellent Wood Condition: Great Bore Condition: Clean Barrels: 28″ Triggers: Double Stock Dimensions: 14′ LOP Weight: 6 lb 9 oz Sights: Single Bead Chokes: IM, CYL. Price: $2,999.99

BERETTA – Silver Snipe – 20ga 26″ IC/IM – Great Lightweight Game Gun: 1962 – Beretta Silver Snipe (S55) 20ga, 2-3/4″ 26″ IC / IM (.007 / .023) No Rib, Extractors, Single Trigger, LOP 14-1/4″ Drop 1-9/16″ to 2-5/8″, Weight 5 lbs. 10 oz. Very Solid – All Original – 1962 Gun in Excellent Condition. There is a small crack at the toe of the stock. Price: $1150

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

October 3, 2021 by Gregg

HENRY ATKIN BEST SIDELOCK SxS 20 GAUGE: #24XXX, MADE 2001, FIRST GUN BUILT BY KEN DUGLAN AFTER AQUIRING ATKIN, GRANT & LANG FROM CYRIL ADAMS, GAME SCENE ENGRAVED BY DAVE & BRAD TALLET, SELF OPENING, 29″ SOLID RIB BARREL W/ 2 3/4″ CHAMBERS, .009 AND .014 CONSTRICTIONS, DOUBLE TRIGGER, EJECTORS, SPLINTER FOREND, ENGLISH GRIP, CHECKERED BUTT, EXCELLENT CONDITION, SLIGHT CAST ON, IAN TOMLIN OAK AND LEATHER CASEm 5LBS 14 OZ, 2 1/4″ DAH, 1 1/2″ DAC, 15 1/2″ LOP. Price: $46,500

DESENZANI NEW BEST QUALITY SIDELOCK 20GA O/U SHOTGUN: NEW BEST QUALITY SIDELOCK 20GA O/U SHOTGUN, COIN FINISHED ACTION WITH ROSE & SCROLL ENGRAVING BY MASTER ENGRAVER P PIERO, 27″ BBLS, 2 3/4, CHOKED LM/IM, RIBLESS DEMI BLOC BBLS, EJECTORS, SINGLE TRIGGER, XXX BEAUTIFUL HIGHLY FIGURED WALNUT, STRAIGHT STOCK, TRIM FOREND, LOP 14 7/8 TO CK BUTT, 1 3/8, 2 1/8, 6LBS 5OZ, FACTORY CASE WITH ACCESSORIES, NEW & UNFIRED, DELIVERED IN 2020. Price: $47,500

ALEXANDER HENRY Underlever Sidelock Hammerless Black powder Express, 14 bore, 28″, Original O&L case, Exceptional condition, Mfg 1885: Model Underlever Sidelock Hammerless Black powder Express, Configuration Double Rifle, Gauge / Caliber 14 bore, Serial # 5905, Country of Origin Scotland, Barrel Length (in Inches) 28″, Trigger DT (Double), Stock Configuration Capped Pistol Grip English style cheek piece, Steel heel & toes plates, Forearm Type Splinter Forearm with lever release, Rib Type Level Flat Matted Rib, Receiver Finish Casehardened, Engraving Type Fine English Scroll Engraving, Other Options Back action sidelock, Jones Underlever, Original Oak & Leather case, Condition EXC. Plus Condition, Weight 12#12oz, Dimensions 14 3/8″ LOP, Other Details Mfg 1885, Excellent bores, Very nice all original condition. Price: $20,000

Fox BE 16 Gauge – 1 of 186, HIGH FACTORY CONDITION, vintage firearms inc: Year 1919, 16 Gauge, 6lbs, Chokes M/F, LOP 14 1/8″, DAH 2 7/16″, DAC 1 7/16″ Serial Number: 300966 You will see the word “RARE” used in many ads from guys trying to sell their guns. Most of the time it is simply a word. The gun is not rare at all. The B Grade Fox small bore, cataloged for only 6 years, is indeed “RARE”. Small bore guns were not produced until 1912, and the B Grade was discontinued in the catalog offerings in 1918, with only 186 ever produced. Considering that as many as 15% may have left planet Earth due to damage and loss, there are likely only 160 or so in existence, and so very few of those are “as shipped” and intact. In all the years spent in search of quality American double shotguns, I have only seen a dozen B Grade 16ga. guns. I bought and sold 6 of them, presently have 3 ready to sell, and the rest were not worth owning. This Fox BE 16, sn300966 shipped in 1919, RETAINS ALL FACTORY METAL FINISHES, WITH 85% CASE COLOR, 98% BARREL BLUE, AND 90% CHARCOAL BLUE ON THE TRIGGER GUARD. The factory original wood has no signs of finish being added, but it likely has had some sort of finish applied as it is 102 years old and is in excellent condition. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST BE 16 GAUGE GUNS IN EXISTENCE, MAKING IT A VERY VALUABLE, INVESTMENT QUALITY FOX. The 28” number 4 weight Chromox Fluid Steel barrels have excellent bores, 2 ½” chambers, factory choked M/F, tight ribs, clear sharp lettering and barrel wedge engraving, and fit tight on the hinge pin and breech face like a new gun. The action has the late style, deeply cut B Grade engraving with full coverage scroll and a couple of quail on the bottom of the action. The mechanics are excellent with strong, well-timed ejectors, crisp triggers, top lever right of center, perfect screws, and 85% strong factory case colors. The stock is English walnut, as stated on the order card, and has modern dimensions of 14 1/8” LOP, 2 7/16” drop at heel, and 1 7/16” drop at the nose of the comb. Years ago, we bent the stock up for the owner of this fine Fox, as it was 2 7/8” drop at heel. Price: $12,950Abercrombie and Fitch Beretta AS-20 EL 20ga: Chambers: 2 3/4″ Barrels: 26″ Gauge: 20 Gauge LOP: 14 7/8″ Weight: 5.8 LBs Choke Left: Skeet Choke Right: Skeet. Price: $7,995

Bargain bests: A nice pair of 12g sidelock Henry Atkin shotguns…

January 8, 2015January 8, 2015 by Gregg

ATKIN 12 SIDELOCK PAIR- NEW CHOPPER LUMP Bbls. in 1988 by the MAKER

I love vintage British shotguns – especially sidelocks. But even though I think they’re as good as guns get, they can have problems. One comes from their age. Because they’re old, people have had a lot of time to mess with them. That’s why so many Purdeys, Holland & Hollands, and other top-tier British shotguns around today are tired, shot out, and pretty much dead.

This pair of best-quality Henry Atkins was made around 1896, so they’re very vintage. What caught my eye is their new stocks and barrels, all made by Atkin, Grant & Lang in 1988. They make this pair of 119-old SxSs part vintage and part brand new.

Whoever had these guns rebarreled and restocked spent a lot of money. Today, a single set of new barrels by Atkin, Grant & Lang costs £8995. These guns have two new sets – so that’s £17990, or about $28,000. All new wood costs $10,000+ a gun and brings the costs to $48,000 in all.

When you see the asking price — just $24,000 — you understand why these Atkins such a steal.

original case colors, The barrel blue at 97% on both, The buttstocks and forends remain at 94%, The checkering at 98%, Number 1 & 2 in Gold in 3 places, The engraving is very sharp & crisp and has never been brushed, All 4 barrels are almost as new inside & out, The pair is cased in what appears to be the original brass cornered trunk & now with the trade label from AG &L when the new barrels and new buttstocks were installed in 1988. Here is a very nice pair of guns with new modern Chopper Lump barrels & wood that will go a lifetime. These are a super pair of guns that are in much better condition than many of the vintage pairs offered on the market today. Price: $24,000

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

November 30, 2014 by Gregg

Pre-war Purdey Extra Lightweight 12 ga: An extraordinary pre-war Purdey 12 ga. weighing just 5 lbs, 15 oz. 26″ Sir Joseph Whitworth steel barrels feature a semi-swamped, hand-stippled rib, and retain 99% original barrel blue. Choked improved cylinder and full, original 2-5/8″ chambers, spectacular original condition throughout. The action retains 99.9% of its factory brilliant color case hardening over the traditional Purdey rose and scroll engraving pattern. Straight hand stock of highly figured French walnut measures 1-3/8″ comb, 2-1/4″ heel and a 14-3/4″ length of pull to the checkered butt as indicated in the factory records. Illustrated in the photos, you will see the original high-polish luster blue on the trigger guard. Built in 1930, delivered to Abercrombie & Fitch, this may be the ultimate walk-up gun. This racy, small frame 12 exhibits the balance and feel one would expect from London’s premier gunmaker. Can’t say enough about this one! Cased. Price: $42,500

WESTLEY RICHARDS OVUNDO O/U 20 GA: Serial #17536. Barrel Length: 28″. Chokes: C (.007″) & M (.011″).
Trigger SST (Single Selective). Stock Straight Grip, Foream Field style with horn tip. Rib: Solid Weight: 5#8oz Dimensions: 1 1/2 x 2 x 14 with 3/8 cast off, 2 1/2″ chambers. Other Options Gold oval, Heel & Toe plates, Cased in maker’s leather case with label. Price: $32,500

ATKIN 12 SIDELOCK PAIR- NEW CHOPPER LUMP Bbls. in 1988 by the MAKER- NEW BUTTSTOCKS by the MAKER- ALL LONDON: #912 & 913, Henry Atkin (From Purdey’s) 6 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, A Very Nice Pair of Bar Action Sidelock Ejector 12 Bore Game Guns, Both guns with modern and new 28″ Chopper Lump barrels installed and proved in London in 1988 when they operated as Atkin Grant & Lang & Co Ltd at 6 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London (The address on these barrels), Both barrels remain as new since 1988: The #1 gun London proved at 3 1/4 tons with 2 3/4″ chambers, #1 is .730 .008 & .020″ (Imp.Cyl. & Mod.), 2 3/4″ chambers: The #2 gun London proved at 3 1/4 tons with 2 3/4″ chambers, #2 is .730 .008 & .016″ (Imp.Cyl. & Mod.), 2 3/4″ chambers, Wall thickness all the way around at .032″, Both with new buttstocks with excellent internal inletting (I presume done in 1988 when the new barrels were added), Very nice wood with excellent color and contrast, The pair with Ejectors, Double triggers, Splinter forend with an Anson release, Straight hand stock and both 14 3/4 x 1 9/16 x 2 1/8″ over checkered butts, Both guns 6 lbs. 11 oz., Stanton & Son locks, 94% coverage of period scroll engraving, The action body’s still retain 15-20% original case colors, The barrel blue at 97% on both, The buttstocks and forends remain at 94%, The checkering at 98%, Number 1 & 2 in Gold in 3 places, The engraving is very sharp & crisp and has never been brushed, All 4 barrels are almost as new inside & out, The pair is cased in what appears to be the original brass cornered trunk & now with the trade label from AG &L when the new barrels and new buttstocks were installed in 1988. Here is a very nice pair of guns with new modern Chopper Lump barrels & wood that will go a lifetime. These are a super pair of guns that are in much better condition than many of the vintage pairs offered on the market today. Price: $24,000

ITHACA 5E 12 GAUGE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN: 28″ BARRELS CHOKED MODIFIED AND FULL (.017& .035), 2 3/4″ CHAMBERS, DOUBLE TRIGGERS, EJECTORS, SPLINTER FOREND, STRAIGHT GRIPS STOCK 14″ LOP DROP 1 1/2″-2 3/4″, AUTOMATIC SAFETY, VERY HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION, SERIAL NUMBER 433707 Price: $5999

20ga RBL Launch Connecticut Shotgun MFG: Lightly used 20ga RBL. 99% Very few imperfections. Gorgeous wood. Great configuration. Previous owner did not like the bright yellow case so he “aged it” to tone it down. A very atractive gun at a very atractive price!!!

Price: $3250

Manufacturer:	Connecticut Shotgun
Model:	RBL Launch
Chambers:	2 3/4
Ejectors:	yes
Condition:	Excellent
Barrels:	28in
Triggers:	2
Gauge:	20
Stock:	English
Stock Comb:	1 1/2
Stock Heel:	2 1/8
LOP:	14 7/8
Weight:	6.55
Chokes:	5

Seriously nice: a super rare 12g Henry Atkin O/U shotgun…

July 22, 2014 by Gregg

12 bore Henry Atkin over and under sidelock ejector circa 1925

The London gun trade has always been a bespoke business. If you wanted it and could pay for it, a gunmaker would build it for you — or in the case of the Henry Atkin O/U you see here, the gunmaker would find someone else to build it for you.

Henry Atkin started in the gun trade in 1848 as an apprentice at Purdeys. Around 1875, he was building shotguns in his own name, and he did so until his death in 1907. His firm continued on until it was absorbed by Atkin, Grant & Lang in 1960. Even though Henry Atkin was a talented gunmaker, he never developed a design for an over-under shotgun. After he died, his company continued their focus on side-by-side shotguns. So in 1925 when one of their customers wanted an O/U, Atkin turned to another team of gunmakers and had them build the gun instead. I’m 99% certain this team was the Hill family.

Charles Hill played a major role in creating the over-under shotgun James Woodward & Sons patented in 1913. Unfortunately, he received little credit for his contributions (or not as much as he though he should). So Mr Hill left Woodward and started turning out Woodward-style O/Us for other makers.

Up until the WW2, the Hills turned out twenty or so Woodward-style O/Us for other makers. I’ve seen one other Atkin O/U – #3217 (believed to be the only Atkin-Woodward-style O/U until #2680 popped up). I’ve also seen Hill-made, Woodward-style over-unders with E.J. Churchill’s name on them and the Ogden, Smith & Hussey name on them.

12 bore Henry Atkin over and under sidelock ejector circa 1925: #2680. Twenty eight inch original fluid steel barrels with solid file cut top rib, choked quarter quarter and chambered for two and a half inch cartridges. The action is of “James Woodward” patent, fully engraved with “Henry Atkin” bouquet and scroll pattern, retaining full original colour and finish with double triggers. The stock measures fourteen and seven eighths with no extension, cast slightly for a right hander with a strait hand grip. Gun is presented in original maker’s oak and leather case with accessories. Price: £49,995

The Purdey side-by-side, perfected…

September 1, 2012 by Gregg

Henry Atkin Spring Opener Model 1909 Double Barrel Shotgun

Henry Atkin, Sr, used to be one of the big boys of the London shotgun trade. Coming from a family of gunmakers, he learned his trade at Purdeys. In 1875 he went out on his own and by 1890 he was doing so well that he moved to Jermyn Street–a prestigious part of town . He passed away in 1906, 1 year before his firm (being run by his nephews, C.F and F.W Hinton) developed the side-by-side which some people claim bested Purdey and created the finest self-opening double barrel in the world.

Henry Atkin's shotguns, fom Best Guns by Michael McIntosh — Henry Atkin’s shotguns, fom Best Guns by Michael McIntosh

From the AG&L website:

“In 1907, Atkin produced the first of the guns which were to become the firm’s trademark ‘1909 model’; the spring opening side-lock ejector. The gun is essentially the Beesley/Purdey 1880 patent spring-cocking mechanism, with alterations to the ejector system and cocking pads to make the gun easier to close. Many aficionados believe this the very best of the self-opening side-locks; giving the advantages of the self-opener without the stiffness associated with the Beesley design upon closing.”

Among the 1909’s fans was Gough Thomas Garwood, the engineer/gun writer who penned many articles and books on shotguns and shooting. G.T. had Atkin’s make him a Spring Opener in 1947, spelling out that the company needed to “guarantee that in respect of material, workmanship, finish and shooting qualities, the gun will conform to your highest pre-war standards.” Apparently they succeeded (although I’ve read that after delivery the gun went back to the maker for some tweaks). Thomas went on to rave about the gun for the rest of his shooting & writing career.

Atkin made a number of Model 1909 “Spring Openers” and today they come on the market from time to time. Right now there’s this one at Fieldsport in MI. There’s also this one. It just popped up at Cabela’s and from what I can tell, it looks like a pretty good deal. It’s a later gun (1959 or so) so it has the typical so-so engraving of the period, but the overall quality of the shotgun looks excellent. And where else can you find a double barrel that’s better than a Purdey, and in excellent original shape, for just $13,500?