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

Joseph Manton SxS Flintolock 22-bore
Joseph Manton SxS Flintolock 22-bore

Joseph Manton SxS Flintolock 22-bore: Incredibly rare 22-bore, double-barreled, flintlock Sporting Gun, initially completed in 1815 and cased complete with the original Manton parts for the field conversion to percussion ignition, ca. 1820.   Weight: 5 Lbs 12 oz.   Stock Dimensions:
14 5/8”x 1 1/8”x 2 1/8”x straight. Superb 30” rebrowned Damascus barrels with no dents or dings, excellent bores (.599”/.599”) and walls (both .060”-.033”).  Joseph Manton Patent, Platinum-lined, touch holes. Manton Patent Stepped-in, and Inverted, Breeches which allowed for faster ignition in addition to directing rainwater away from the pan and toward a rectangular drain hole in the center of the breech allowing the water to flow out a hole in the bottom of the trigger plate just in front of the trigger guard bow. The Manton Patent Elevated Top Rib is engraved, “Joseph Manton’s New Improvements by His Majesty’s Patent”. Absolutely peerless quality locks, also loaded with Manton Patented features;  Cocks, reinforced at the neck, Patent Hammers (frizzen’s), Gravitating Stops, with platinum-inlaid counterweights, to prevent the cock accidentally falling during loading with cocks inadvertently left at full cock.  In addition to all these features,  included with the gun are the parts and tools for rapid field conversion to percussion ignition (can be accomplished in under 2 minutes for each lock), likely added by Manton, ca. 1820. Locks tight and mechanically perfect in every way. Tang screw, side nail, both cock screws, and left frizzen replaced by LDA. The iron mounts are all nicely engraved in the pattern common to Joe Manton sporting guns of the late flintlock, 1815 -1817, era. The Figured Walnut stock has a repair to the head done by LDA and an old minor repair to the wood just forward of the finial on the trigger plate.  Overall,  the stock is in fine condition showing minimal wear and no abuse. The whole is cased in an ultra-rare original, two-tiered (for a pair of Manton double flintlock sporting guns), Joseph Manton case complete with all period accessories and a proper original Trade Label from the 1815-17 period listing many of the Manton Patent features found on the gun. This extraordinarily rare gun represents the ultimate development of the British flintlock sporting gun by, arguably, the greatest British Gun maker who ever lived, having all of the best innovations present and in working order on a single firearm by Joseph Manton. Overall, mechanically perfect and in fine condition throughout with traces of original finish. Price: $75,000

PURDEY - BEST DELUXE EXTRA FINISH, TWO BARREL SET , 12 GAUGE/12 GAUGE
PURDEY – BEST DELUXE EXTRA FINISH, TWO BARREL SET , 12 GAUGE/12 GAUGE

PURDEY – BEST DELUXE EXTRA FINISH, TWO BARREL SET, 12 GAUGE/12 GAUGE:
29″ BARRELS, M/F CHOKED – 29″ BARRELS, SK/IC CHOKED – DOUBLE TRIGGERS – HINGED FRONT TRIGGER – ORNAMENTAL ENGRAVING – 3 1/4 TON PROOF – BEAVERTAIL FOREND & SPLINTER FOREND – TURKISH WALNUT STRAIGHT GRIP STOCK – CHECKERED BUTT – SIDE CLIP – 3RD FASTENER – RAISED MATTED RIB – MAKER’S LEATHER MOTOR CASE INCLUDED 7 LBS. 11 OZ. 14 3/4″ X 1 3/8″ X 2 1/4″. Price: $49,500  

Beretta AS-20EL 20g OU Shotgun
Beretta AS-20EL 20g OU Shotgun

Beretta AS-20EL OVER UNDER SHOTGUN (S 22364): 27 1/2″ barrels.  Ic/mod.  Solid rib.  Double triggers. Long length of pull to a checkered butt.  Straight grip.  All the good stuff.  5 lbs. 11oz.  One small depression in the stock (see photo) otherwise about perfect. Price: $8450

Perazzi MX28 (S138143) OU SHOTGUN
Perazzi MX28 (S138143) OU SHOTGUN

Perazzi MX28 (S138143) OU SHOTGUN: 28 guage. Ejectors: Yes. Condition: Good. Barrels: 30”. Stock Comb: 1 3/8”. Stock Heel: 2 1/8”. Fore End: English. LOP: 14 5/8”. Weight: 5lb 8oz. Single selective trigger.  Perfect bores.  Really pretty wood.  Few knicks and scratches but a dandy little bird gun. Comes with Perazzi hard case. Chokes: Briley. Price: $7950

PARKER BROS. 20 GAUGE VH - 26" BARRELS CHOKED FULL/FULL - STRAIGHT STOCK - DOUBLE TRIGGERS- SPLINTER FOREND -DOGS HEAD BUTT -CASE COLORS 45%
PARKER BROS. 20 GAUGE VH – 26″ BARRELS CHOKED FULL/FULL – STRAIGHT STOCK – DOUBLE TRIGGERS- SPLINTER FOREND -DOGS HEAD BUTT -CASE COLORS 45%

PARKER BROS. 20 GAUGE VH – 26″ BARRELS CHOKED FULL/FULL – STRAIGHT STOCK – DOUBLE TRIGGERS- SPLINTER FOREND -DOGS HEAD BUTT -CASE COLORS 45%: BLUE 90 % & – TRIGGER GAURD PATINA – CHECKERING VERY GOOD – ACTION TIGHT WITH TOP LEVER RIGHT OF CENTER – BLANK INITIAL SHEILD -LOP 14″ – DAC 1 7/16″ X DAH 2 1/16″ –  WEIGHS 6 LBS. 2 OZS. – ALL ORIGINAL CONDITION. Price: $4,500

Amazing! What a pair of SxS Purdeys…

James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”

According to its name, a “Best” gun sounds like it should be the finest shotgun a gunmaker builds. But that’s not always the case. With some makers, there’s a grade above “Bests” — “Better Bests”, I guess.

Holland & Holland calls these Modele de Luxes. At James Purdey & Sons, they’re known as guns with “Extra finish“, and the pair of 12 gauge Purdey sidelocks you see here are just that.

Overall, guns with Extra Finish are built to the same level as the maker’s standard Best-quality guns (or maybe a bit better, in the case of this pair). But as you can see, their engraving is taken to the next level (here’s a standard Purdey).

James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”

These two may have been engraved by Ken Hunt (aka “The Godfather of Gun Engraving”), a British craftsman who worked at Purdey’s and learned his trade from Harry Kell. Along with the gorgeous engraving, the guns are beautifully made all around. Check out the metal-to-metal fit and the way the forend iron fits onto the action. Then look at those perfect drop points on the stock.

Does all this make them worth $125,000? Perhaps. Even with twice that much money, you would have a hard time duplicating the quality of these Purdeys today. Personally, I don’t think you could do it.

PURDEY BEST EXTRA FINISH SXS PAIR 12 GAUGE: THESE APPEAR TO BE KEN HUNT ENGRAVED #266XX BOTH GUNS ARE IDENTICAL AND HAVE BEEN USED ON ONE DRIVEN HUNT IN THE LATE 50S THESE CAME FROM ORIGINAL OWNER 28″ SELF OPENERS 008 AND 022 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT MAKERS MOTOR CASE NEW CONDITION 6LBS 11 OZ X 2 1/8″ X 1 7/16″ X 14 1/4″. Price: $125,000

James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with "Extra Finish"
James Purdey & Sons, pair of 12 gauge sidelock SxS shotguns with “Extra Finish”

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

JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST EXTRA FINISH O/U 20 GAUGE SHOTGUN
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST EXTRA FINISH O/U 20 GAUGE SHOTGUN

JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST EXTRA FINISH O/U 20 GAUGE SHOTGUN: KEN HUNT ENGRAVED 26″ VENT RIB 009 AND 024 3″ PROOFED SINGLE TRIGGER EJECTORS LARGE FOREARM PISTOL GRIP CHECKERED BUTT WITH ENGRAVED HEEL AND TOE PLATES NEW CONDITION IN MAKERS CASE  6LB 5 OZ X 2 1/4 X 1 3/4 X 14 3/8. Price: $150,000

Holland & Holland Royal 12 ga Side-by-Side shotgun
Holland & Holland Royal 12 ga Side-by-Side shotgun

Holland & Holland Royal 12 ga Side-by-Side shotgun: Pre-war Holland & Holland 12 ga. Royal, 30″ chopperlump barrels with concave game rib, choked improved cylinder and modified (.005/.015), 2-1/2″ chambers.  Automatic ejectors, double triggers, hidden third bite and auto safe.  Hand-detachable sidelock features gold cocking indicators and the traditional Holland & Holland acanthus engraving which remains sharp and crisp.  Splinter forend, the highly figured stock with half-round grip measures 1-1/2″ comb x 2-1/2″ heel x 15-1/2″ LOP over a buttplate.  Excellent overall condition, tight and on the face.  Weighs 6 lbs, 10 oz. with a forward bias, balancing just ahead of the hingepin.  A classic Holland best! Price: $21,900

Parker Brothers DHE Trap 12ga Shotgun 32" Vent Rib Full/Full
Parker Brothers DHE Trap 12ga Shotgun 32″ Vent Rib Full/Full

Parker Brothers DHE Trap 12ga Shotgun 32″ Vent Rib Full/Full: Gun remains in very good condition with case colors remaining in the protected areas: double trigger, ejectors, beavertail forearm, straight with 14 1/2″ LOP over a Silver’s red rubber pad, vent rib, right barrel has a .738″ bore with .040″ choke (FULL), left barrel has a .740″ bore with .045″ choke (FULL). Price: $6,495

20g Browning BSS Sidelock, 28" bbls, Double Triggers
20g Browning BSS Sidelock, 28″ bbls, Double Triggers

20g Browning BSS Sidelock, 28″ bbls, Double Triggers: 20ga., 28″ (Briley CT’s -5-, double triggers (rare), ejectors, fully handengraved R&S type on rich satin coin finished receiver,elegant long tang stock, 14 1/4″ LOP over 1″ solid pad also Browning vented pad, exotic piece of Belgium hand checkered walnut straight stock & forearm, luxury pigskin leather fitted case,6 lbs.4 ozs. 99% new. Price: $4,895

Ithaca NID Grade II 10ga 3 1/2" Magnum SxS Shotgun
Ithaca NID Grade II 10ga 3 1/2″ Magnum SxS Shotgun

Ithaca NID Grade II 10ga 3 1/2″ Magnum SxS Shotgun: Ithaca grade II 10ga 31/2″ magnum.32″ barrels choked full and full.Pistol grip stock,double triggers,extractors.Retains 30% of the original case colors and 95% of the original blue.Excellent bore with no dents or pitting.The stock is very sound with no cracks.The barrels are tight and on face to the action with the top lever slightly to the right of center.A very nice example of the Ithaca magnum for the collector or the shooter.Weighs 10-14.Built in 1933. Price: $3,995

Spring is almost here…

It’s been tough winter here in New England – long, gray, snowy. I’ve had just about enough of it. So I’m glad it’s over 60 degrees out today. The snow is melting away and the ice on the rivers is breaking up. I’m hoping to get my canoe in the water in a couple of weeks.

16 gauge Purdey Extra Finish double barrel shotgun, Kell engraved
16 gauge Purdey Extra Finish double barrel shotgun, Kell engraved

The robins are back in the Boston area, so the woodcock can’t be far behind. I usually find  woodcock in southern Maine towards the end of the March. They seem to work their way up the coast and I know a couple coverts that are right near the ocean.

James Julia’s is having their annual spring firearms auction on 3/14 & 3/15. I’ll be up at the preview next weekend, looking things over. I’m anxious to see this pair of 16 gauge Purdeys as well as this little 28 gauge Francotte.

16 gauge Purdey Extra Finish double barrel shotgun, Kell engraved
16 gauge Purdey Extra Finish double barrel shotgun, Kell engraved

The Purdeys should attract big-money attention from around the world. They’re all original, engraved by Harry Kell, and they have a solid provenance. It will be interesting to see what they bring. I think Julia’s estimate is too high. My guess is that they’ll hammer down for under $100,000. BTW: here’s another Purdey featuring Kell’s work.

The Souther Side-by-Side Spring Classic is coming up at the end of April. I’ve heard that this is a great event and I’m planning to attend this year. I hope to see a lot of nice, vintage double barrel shotguns, say hello to some folks, and do a little shooting. With a little luck, maybe I’ll find something really special like a W. & C. Scott Premier or a long barreled Grant hammergun.

The field trial season get going again in the northeast with the Southern New England Woodcock Championship on March 17th. I’m excited to get out and see some dogs run. I’m hoping to get my girl into at least one trial. She turned 8 this January, so I don’t think she’ll do all that well. But it’s fun to get out and try. And it’s always great to see folks. You can find out more about this trial and other upcoming events at this site.