Featherweight | Dogs and Doubles

Original or redone? A 12g Prussian Charles Daly Feather Weight …

March 31, 2021 by Gregg

Prussian Charles Daly Lindner Empire Grade Damascus 12ga 26" Featherweight — Prussian Charles Daly Lindner Empire Grade Damascus 12ga 26″ Featherweight

I’ve always liked vintage Charles Daly side-by-sides, and I think they’re some of the finest boxlock shotguns ever made.

So when this 12g came up for auction on Gunbroker.com a few weeks ago, I was thrilled. But not as thrilled as some guys. This double hammered down for $6,125 — WAY than I wanted to pay for it (a far more than I thought it would bring).

Take a look at. What do you think — is it all original? Or is it totally redone? I think it’s all original, including the finish on the bbls.

This SxS was built in the 1890s, but not by anyone named Charles Daly.

Charles Daly was a businessman, not a gunmaker. He started branding guns with his name on them around 1875. At first, he used several makes in Europe. But by the late 1880s, he had settled on Heinrich A. Lindner for most of his shotguns.

Lindner was a gunmaker in Suhl, Prussia (which is now Germany). Lindner took Westley Richards brilliant Anson & Deeley shotgun action, tweaked it, and made it his own.

In its day, this gun was one of Daly’s lower-grade models. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t high quality (or inexpensive). Everything Lindner made was beautifully built. You can see that in this gun. From the proportions of the action and the stock to the shaping of the triggers and the finish on the metal, everything is well done.

A page from a 1920s Schoverling, Daly & Gales catalog.

When this gun was built, the shooting world was experiencing a fad for lightweight, 12-gauge shotguns. Belgian and German makers like Francotte and Lindner responded by building twelves that came in right around 6lbs.

Prussian Charles Daly Lindner Empire Grade Damascus 12ga 26″ Featherweight:

Make: Charles Daly made by Charles Lindner in Prussia
Model: Empire grade Featherweight
Action: Side by Side
Serial number / year: 1046 / late 1800’s early 1900’s
Finish: The Damascus twist is a very pretty pattern and shows well. The receiver is mostly in the white but we do see traces of the original case color under the lever and in the non-contact areas.
Caliber: 12ga – we do not know the chamber length.
Barrel Length: 26″ with fixed cylinder chokes
Bore Condition: Excellent – both are clean, smooth and bright.
Stock/grips: The stock and forend are in great shape with light use and handling wear. The checkering is still fairly sharp. We do not see any cracks, breaks or repairs.
LOP: 14″
Prussian Charles Daly Lindner Empire Grade Damascus 12ga 26″ Featherweight

Prussian Charles Daly Lindner Empire Grade Damascus 12ga 26″ Featherweight

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

August 5, 2019 by Gregg

CHARLES LANCASTER Patent Four Barrel Breechloading Hammerless Smoothbore Rifle, .500/.450 No.1 Express 2 3/4″ BPE, Cased on maker’s leather: Serial # 5084, Country of Origin England, Barrel Length (in Inches) 26″, Trigger ST (Single), Stock Configuration Straight Grip, English cheekpiece, Checkered Horn butt, Silver oval, Forearm Type Splinter Forearm with pin release, Rib Type Short ribs, Express sights, Receiver Finish Casehardened, Engraving Type Border Engraving with maker’s name in ribbon banners, Other Options Jones underlever, Cased in original maker’s leather case, Condition EXC. Plus Condition, Weight 10#4oz, Dimensions 14 5/8″ LOP, Other Details Mfg 1882, Uses 270 gr paper patched bullet and 100gr No.6 BP, All original finish, Spotless bores, Mechanically excellent, Uses a unique revolving firing system, A super rare and very interesting gun. Price: $50,000

FRANCOTTE BEST QUALITY SIDELOCK ABERCROMBIE & FITCH SXS 28 GAUGE: SERIAL # 1330, 26″ BARRELS, CHOKES 009″ AND 016″, CHAMBERS 2 3/4″, DOUBLE TRIGGER, EJECTORS, SPLINTER FOREARM, ENGLISH GRIP, A&F CASE, EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH LIGHT HANDLING MARKS, 4 LBS 15 OZ, 2 1/2″ LOP, 1 1/2″ DAC, 14 1/4″ LOP. Price: $35,000

CHARLES HELLIS 12G BEST SLE, CASED, ORIGINAL CONDITION: A beautiful shotgun in original condition with the original bill of sale dated Nov. 1, 1935, Hyde Park, London. Sold to A.H.P Hope. Esq. Basildon Home Farm, Pangbourne, Berks. Also, a Bill of Sale for 12 bore Cartridges to the same buyer. CASED IN ORIGINAL MAKERS’ LEATHER CASE made for the gun with Hellis label and all accouterments.
BARRELS: 26” steel, flawless blue, dolls head extension of 1/4”, on the rib is “ C Hellis and Sons Hyde Park London”. RB .007” (IC). LB .030” (FULL). Minimum wall thickness – RB .031”, LB 031. Bore is perfect. STOCK-RECEIVER: receiver has original case coloring and is covered with unworn scroll engraving. Crossed feathers on both sides indicate a lightweight gun. Chambered for 2 1/2” 12g shells, nitro proofed for 1 1/8 loading. LOP is 14 7/16” to butt, DAC -1 1/2”, DAH- 2 1/16”, cast off -3/8”. Stock is straight English style. with a checkered butt. FOREARM: Splinter with Anson and Deeley pushbutton release. Wt: 6 # 2 oz. Date of mfg. is 1935 so sale and transfer of ownership has to be in accord with current regulations. Price- $8000 plus cost of shipping and insurance to your FFL dealer. The unique thing about this SLE is it’s original and unrestored condition. It looks u as if it were in Hellis’s salesroom! Price: $8,000

Westley Richards 12 gauge Boxlock restored in the UK to near new and cased with full accessories. Note the exhibition English walnut stock with a super long LOP!: A stunning restoration done by A.W. Rule in England ( See awruleandsongunmakers.co.uk/ ) This fine Westley is tight and ready to go! The pictures and data tell it all. Manufacturer: Westley Richards restored in the UK to near new and cased with full accessories. Note the exhibition English walnut stock with a super long LOP! Serial Number: 6041, Ejectors: Yes, Barrels: 28″, Barrel Type: Steel, Action: Boxlock ejector, Gauge: 12 gauge, Stock Comb: 1 9/16″, Stock Heel: 2 3/16″, Stock Cast: 5/16″, LOP: 15 3/4″ to checkered, Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz., Choke Left: .018 Tight Mod, Choke Right: .005 Skeet, Proof: Nitro: 2 3/4″, Minimum Wall Thickness Left: .029″, Minimum Wall Thickness Right: .031″. Price: $7,600

PARKER REPRODUCTION DHE 28 GAUGE SxS DOUBLE TRIGGERS: 26 inch IC & Mod. Double triggers. Automatic ejectors. 14 3/8 LOP skeleton butt. Excellent condition showing some case coloring wear. 5 lbs 10oz. Excellent bores. No case. Price: $4,550

Good gun alert: 12g Charles Hellis boxlock SxS…

February 25, 2016 by Gregg

CHARLES HELLIS 12GA Boxlock Ejector Side-by-Side

Here’s a real nice boxlock ejector that just popped up on the market. It’s a Charles Hellis with awesome damascus barrels, and if I didn’t already have enough doubles, I would be on the phone to the seller trying work out a deal for it.

Charles Hellis, gunmakers, was founded by its namesake in 1884, and by the 20th century it was another of London’s prosperous gunmakers. Hellis made many different grades and types of guns, from modestly-priced boxlocks to Best-quality sidelocks. The company also specialized in lightweight boxlocks and sidelocks tagged “The Featherweight” and usually engraved with images of feathers on the actions or lockplates. The inlayed side panels on this Hellis boxlock are another of the company’s signature styles.

Gunmaker Charles Hellis outside his shop on Edgware Road, London

Something to note: Check out the proof marks on this gun. The barrels were originally proofed at two different bore sizes: 13 and 13/1 (.710″ & .719″) and the reproofed at .719″ and .729″ (13/1 & 12). While it’s unusual to see a set of barrels with two different bore sizes at proofing, it’s not unheard or wrong in anyway. What’s important is that both tubes are in proof with good wall thicknesses (which is the case with this SxS).

CHARLES HELLIS 12GA Boxlock Ejector Side-by-Side: A very nice London, ejector, damascus, nitro proofed, game gun. Tight lockup and ribs. Excellent bores. In proof. No dents. No cracks. Price: $3275
Serial Number: 1239
Bore: R.720 L.729
Chambers: 2 1/2in
Ejectors: YES
Condition: EXCELENT
Metal Condition: EXCELLENT
Wood Condition: EXCELLENT
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT
Barrels: 30IN
Barrel Type: DAMASCUS

Gauge: 12GA
Stock Comb: 1 1/2IN
Stock Heel: 2 1/4IN
Butt Pad: HARD RUBBER?HORN?
LOP: 14 3/4IN
Weight: 6LBS 12OZ
Manufacture Date: 1900-1905
Choke Left: SKT II .015
Choke Right: SKT .005
Proof:Nitro: YES
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: .028
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: .030

CHARLES HELLIS 12GA Boxlock Ejector Side-by-Side

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

February 14, 2016 by Gregg

JAMES WOODWARD & SON BEST SXS, SIDELOCK, 12 GAUGE: 26″ BARRELS, LM/F (.016″/.044″) CHOKED – DOUBLE TRIGGERS – AUTO EJECTORS – SPLINTER FOREND – ENGLISH WALNUT TRADEMARK WOODWARD STYLE PISTOL GRIP STOCK – HAND CHECKERED HORN BUTT – SOLID GAME RIB – FULL COVERAGE ROSETTE BOUQUET & MINIATURE SCROLL ENGRAVING ON COLOR CASE HARDENED RECEIVER – ARCADED FENCES – EXCELLENT CONDITION – STRONG CASE COLOR REMAINING – 1927 MANUFACTURE – LEATHER CASE INCLUDED. 6 LBS. 1 OZ. 14 3/8″ X 1 5/8″ X 2 3/4″. Price: $45,000

Charles Daly Prussian 12ga. Linder Diamond Quality Featherweight SXS: Wonderful Prussian Proofed Super Light Linder Daly. This 12ga. Diamond Quality featherweight weighs in at 5.6lbs. Auto ejectors, doub. triggers, LOP 14 3/8″ to leather covered pad, DAC 1 1/2″ DAH 2″, 26″ barrels have chokes of R. .026 (full) and L. .000 (Cyl.) and orig. 2 9/16″ chambers with a bore dimension of .721 which corresponds with the water table marks of 13/1
Condition: This shotgun has had very little use and retains a high degree of original finish overall. The breech face retains nearly all of it’s case colors showing few rounds were fired and the remainder of the receiver retains 60-70% orig CC. Barrels retain nearly all their original blue. The barrels are on face with a tight lock-up tight ejectors and proper timing. Price: $9800

Verees & Co. 28ga. 28" auto-ejector, built by Lebeau Courally 1954 — Verees & Co. 28ga. 28″ auto-ejector, built by Lebeau Courally 1954

Verees & Co. Side-by-Side 28ga. 28″ auto-ejector, built by Lebeau Courally 1954: Chokes F-F (.028) Doub. Trig., LOP 14 1/4″ to Silvers type pad, DAC 1 3/8″ DAH 2″ Beaver tail FE
Condition: nearly unfired with strong case color and blue. Price: $4750

PARKER REPRODUCTION 12 GA DOUBLE TRIGGER LONG LOP: Pistol Grip Stock and Splinter Forend, 26″ Barrels Ic/Mod, DAC 1 3/8″ DAH 2 3/8″ 14 3/4″ LOP, 6 lbs.8 oz. Outstanding American Walnut. Excellent used condition – 50% CC, 99% Blue, 99% Wood and Finish, No Dents, Cracks or Scratches. Very few minor handling and hunting marks. Comes with Factory Leather Takedown Case, Canvas and Leather Case Cover, Keys and Snapcaps. Price: $3750

J. P. Sauer SxS Boxlock Shotgun in 12 Gauge: Extractor model with auto safety. Very Clean. Price: $1,199.99
Chambers: 2 3/4 Inch
Metal Condition: Excellent
Wood Condition: Few light handling marks
Bore Condition: Bright
Barrels: 28 Inch
Triggers: Double Trigger
Stock: Straight Grip Walnut Stock
Stock Dimensions: 14 1/4″ LOP
Fore End: Splinter
Butt Pad: Sauer Plate
Weight: 6 Lbs 11 Ozs
Sights: Matted Rib with Metal Bead
Chokes: Full/Full

Auction alert: A 12g Charles Daly Feather Weight SxS…

September 18, 2015 by Gregg

Charles Daly German 12 Ga Feather Weight Double-Barrel Shotgun

In 1884, Westley Richard invented the Anson & Deeley boxlock. Even though Westley revised their design into the 20 century, many collectors believe the companies who really perfected it were Francotte, and in Prussia, H.A. Lindner. Most of Lindner’s A&D boxlock shotguns were imported into this country by Charles Daly.

Charles Daly was a businessman. Around 1875 he partnered with August Shoverling to import shotguns into the United States. These side-by-sides were marketed under the Charles Daly name, and early on they were built by serveral different makers.

By the time this gun was built, Daly had established his relationship with Lindner. The Lindner-Daly relationship lasted from the end of the 19th century until around WW1, and produced some of the finest boxlock shotguns ever built.

This shotgun is coming up tomorrow at Echoes of Glory International Military Auction House. It’s a hard-to-find Feather Weight model. Even though it looks like it has a few issue, it could be a very nice SxS.

Charles Daly German 12 Ga Feather Weight Double-Barrel Shotgun: A circa 1895-1910 breech-loading smokeless powder Daly German Double-Barrel Shotgun in good to very good condition. Finely-engraved case-hardened receiver, fluid-steel featherweight barrels, nice burl-walnut stocks and sling-swivels. At one point, it was fitted with a Pachmayr recoil pad. Some very light rust-pitting, overall a beautiful shotgun, full chokes and near new bores. Barrel release does not snapback.

Good gun alert: A 16 gauge Charles Daly Featherweight…

March 14, 2013 by Gregg

16 gauge Charles Daly Featherweight Double Barrel Side by Side shotgun

This little 16 gauge is going to be soon, so I’ll make this quick. This side-by-side is a Charles Daly, and it appears to be a Lindner-made gun. That means it’s a beautifully made little gun.

At $2,599, it could be a great deal. If you want it, get on it now.

Here’s more about it from the seller:

Caliber:	16 ga
Chambers:
Metal Condition:	Blueing Loss-noscratches
Wood Condition:	Scratches Nicks and Marks
Bore Condition:	Nice and Bright
Barrels:	28
Triggers:	Double Triggers
Stock:	Checkered Prince of Wales
Stock Dimensions:	13 1/2″ LOP 1 7/8″ DAC 3″ DAH
Fore End:	Checkered Splinter
Butt Pad:	Butt Plate
Weight:	5 Lbs 6 Oz.
Sights:	Front Bead
Chokes:	CYL & SKEET
Item Location:	Scarborough, ME

Good gun alert: a 12 gauge L.C. Smith Specialty Featherweight…

November 30, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge L.C. Smith Specialty grade, Featherweight, side by side

I like 12 gauge side-by-sides. Size wise, they feel right to me. Unlike 20s, the bbls and stocks on 12 gauge fit well in my hands. I also like the versatility of the larger gauge. With the right loads, my go-to 12 gauge can handle everything from woodcock to wild pheasants.

Of course, twelves can have drawbacks, especially weight. A lot of twelve gauges are heavy, especially ones made by American companies like Parker, Lefever & A.H. Fox. In fact, it’s hard to find a 12 gauge American double that comes it at under 7lbs. That’s one of the reasons why I like this L.C. Smith:

LC Smith Specialty Grade 12ga Featherweight with ejectors, 28″ bbls

As a featherweight, it’s probably under 7 lbs, and it may as light at 6 3/4lbs. That weight, along with the straight stock, 28″ bbls, and high dimensions, make this could a candidate for a perfect all around double,.

L.C. Smith introduced the Specialty grade in 1913 as “…a well-balanced and good shooting-gun and we have every confidence in recommending it to sportsmen who are desirous of having a high quality gun and do not feel justified in purchasing our highest.” In all, L.C. Smith made 4,826 twelve gauge Specialties. I bet very few were featherweights set up like this one. So if you like what you see, I would say get on it today.