GH | Dogs and Doubles

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

June 19, 2022 by Gregg

Watson Bros. BEST SLE 28ga – 27” – IC/M – DT – Checkered Butt – Splinter – K.L. Smith Engraved in Magnificent English Custom Scroll: This is an uplander’s dream gun – slender and sleek – beautiful with the finest accoutrements in detail and design. Condition: 97% Metal Condition: 95% some minor bluing wear Wood Condition: 98% Bore Condition: 99% Triggers: Double English Stock: Straight Grip Stock Comb: 1 3/8” Stock Heel: 2 1/4” Stock Cast: Right handed cast off Fore End: Splinter Butt Pad: Checkered Butt LOP: 14 1/4” to front trigger Rib: Concave Game Rib Finish: Hand Rubbed Oil Weight: 5 lbs 4 ozs Chokes: .009/.015 IC/M. Further Notes: Mike Louca is the foremost Barrel Smith, extant. Watson Brothers was purchased, the name, from Atkin, Grant, and Lang about 1988 when Mike was still working at Purdey as the lead barrel maker. Watson Brothers is the last gunmaker owned English Gun builder in England. Watson Brothers truly carries on the British Bespoke Gunmaking tradition – this gun is built on a modified Beesley Action, the same action on which the Purdey SXS is built. The innovation is beyond cool. He has changed the ejectors, massive improvement, triggers, and barrels. One could easily argue that this is the finest English gun made today. Shotgun Gauge: 28 Gauge Model: Best SLE Serial Number: 20015 Barrel Length: 27” Chambers: 2 3/4” Ejectors: Self Opener. Price: $69,500

Greifelt – Highest Grade 1 Miniature, .410. OU shotgun, 26″ Barrels: Extremely rare! Imported by Von Lengerke & Detmold. Double trigger, auto ejector, front trigger hinged, solid rib, butt plate, scalloped frame, made in 1929 and is virtually new, unfired, 100% case color, 100% wood finish, and 100% blue including trigger guard. Couple of handling marks. This gun is considered one of the many to be none finer, extremely complex, beautifully scroll engraved. The very finest available. The smallest high-grade gun. 3lbs. 14 oz. 14 3/8″ x 1 ½” x 2 ¾” Price: $39,500

The finest Parker GH 16ga Extant – an early Damascus Gun that remains as new – impossible to improve on and guaranteed original in every respect: Without question, the single finest 16ga Damascus hammerless I’ve offered in recent times, this GH 16ga made on a #1 frame with 28″ damascus barrels. Made with double triggers, extractors, splinter forend, auto safety, capped pistol grip buttstock with original Dogs Head Buttplate. Engraved in standard early Grade 2 pattern as seen in the photos. Overall, this gun remains in as close to mint original condition as can be obtained. Retaining virtually all of its original finishes to wood and metal surfaces with brilliant shiny bores and crisp mechanics. The gun appears factory test fired only and is remarkable for being over 110 years old! It is impossible to find a better, more original or mint example of this configuration and I guarantee the finishes to be original in all respects. This gun comes to me from one of the finest Parker Collections ever assembled and was used as a benchmark in that collection for more than 20 years. Price: $18,500

AYA 12 BORE 2 Bbl. SET BEST MOD 52 SIDELOCK- SUPERB ENGRAVING- MADE in 1947- BOTH Bbls 27 3/4″ CHOPPER LUMP THIRD BITE- ALL ORIG BORES & CHOKES: #9853, 12 Bore 2 Barrel Set AYA-Aguirre & Aranzabal-Made in Spain: A Super Engraved Model 52 Assist Opening Bar Action Sidelock Ejector 12 Bore Made in 1947, Both barrels are 27 3/4″ Nickel-Chrome Chopper Lump barrels with a Hidden Third Bite, Hand detachable sidelocks with a hidden release, Gold plated internals on the locks, The original set of barrels at .725 .000 & .023″ (Cyl. & Slightly Open Imp.Mod), Original 2 3/4″, Wall thickness on both barrels at .034″, 1,440 KG weight barrels, Original bores and chokes as proofed; THEN in 1955 the AYA Factory installed another set of barrels at .727 .031″ & .049″ (Tight Imp.Mod. & Extra Full), Original 2 3/4″, Wall thickness on the right barrel at .031″ and .035″ on the left barrel, 1,390 KG weight barrels, Original bores and chokes as proofed, Double triggers with the front articulated, Rolled trigger guard edge for the right hand, Splinter forend with a frontal Anson release, Straight hand stock at 14 13/16 x 1 9/16 x 2 1/8″ over a 1″ pad, Neutral stock for the right or left hand, 7 lbs. 4 oz. with the original barrels and 7 lbs. 2 oz. with the 1955 barrels, Very nice wood with nice black/brown contrast, The butt matches the forend well; 100% engraving coverage of very fine scroll, roses, floral and ribbons, This is very well cut engraving with excellent detail that is seldom seen on a Spanish gun, This engraving doesn’t take a back seat to most of the best guns coming out of England or Europe, The barrel blue on both at 99%, The frame finish at 96%, The stock finish at 92%, The checkering at 96-97%, The bores on both barrel sets are excellent, Both set of barrels are smack on the face, This piece points great with these stock dimensions. A Slight Crack on the Forend Repaired by English Gunmaker Jack Rowe. The whole is cased in a metal cornered Spanish trunk case. Price: $6,400

Winchester 21 SxS Shotgun 12ga: Pre-World War II. 2 3/4 inch chambers with extractors, Winchester “WP” proofs on the flats, and “MOD./FULL” marked chokes. Standard markings and proofs on the water table with double triggers and tang mounted manual safety. Checkered walnut splinter forearm and pistol grip stock. Stock measurements: drop at comb 1 1/2 inches; drop at heel 2 1/2 inches; length of pull 14 inches. Excellent original finish. Price: $4,995

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

March 10, 2019 by Gregg

Boss & Co. 20 bore SLE ~ Simply outstanding! This is a chance to own the very best of the best real estate in the double gun world! Super investment: Hammerless Sidelocks – Boss 20g. Sidelock in exceptional condition and investment grade original. Featuring 28″ Whitworth steel barrels, 75% case color, 98% blue, in its maker’s case. This petite flower weighs in at 5 lbs. 4.5 oz., lighter than many 28 gauges. Stocked to the fences, assisted opening, iconic and crisp Boss single trigger, chopper-lump barrels, and stunning wood with super dimensions, this Boss has all and more of what we would expect from a Boss. What I expect most of all from Boss is what I think is their true trademark — Balance. Let me tell you, get this gun between your hands and you will not want to let it go as you would feel your letting go of a part of yourself. Twenty-gauge Boss doubles are like prime real estate. They seldom come up for sale, are priced at the top of the market, and there are never any regrets in owning as they are always worth what you paid and more. Price: $57,000

H.J. Hussey Shotguns – IMPERIAL GRADE PAIR, CASED, BOSS SINGLE TRIGGERS, vintage firearms inc: General Specs: H.J. Hussey, Year 1902-1904, 12 Gauge, 6lbs 9oz; 6lbs 8oz, SK/LM , LOP 15 1/4″, DAH 2 1/8″, DAC 1 1/2″ Serial Numbers: 14170, 14171. “LONDON BEST”…we see this label referring to fabulous side by side shotguns from famed British gunmakers with their premises located in the London gunmaker’s district. Well-known historic names including Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss immediately come to mind. However, if you discuss the topic of “LONDON BEST GUNS” with those entrenched in the British gun world, you will also hear the name H.J. Hussey, a name less known but whose guns were superb and comparable to the very finest London had to offer. You can refer to Nigel Brown’s volumes “British Gunmakers” and/or Google the Hussey name and you will see that Henry Joseph Hussey was long involved in the upper echelons of the British gun trade. He was Assistant Manager of Holland & Holland until 1894. He became involved with the famed firm of Joseph Lang gunmakers, and the firm became known as Lang & Hussey for several years. Apparently, Henry Hussey was a bit of a rogue, having been accused of shady dealings, and he resigned from that company after a short stint. After that, his firm became known as H.J. Hussey, LTD until his death in 1918. The fine matching pair of 12 bore Hussey guns offered here, serial numbers 14170 and 14171 ca. 1902, are LONDON BEST GUNS in every way, with 7-pin sidelock actions featuring beaded fences, finely filed bolsters on the bottom of action, gold lined cocking indicators, superb acanthus scroll with elaborate border work and adorned with the finest floral bouquets you will ever see. The top tang is gracefully shaped and simply flows into the action. VERY RARELY SEEN ARE THE BOSS SINGLE TRIGGERS IN THIS FINE PAIR OF HUSSEY GUNS, COMPLETE WITH THEIR REGISTERED NUMBERS. This is a very costly extra feature on a London gun, and the Boss single trigger is the most reliable ever developed. Stocked to the fences with well-figured French walnut, including drop points and superb checkering with mullered borders, this pair is a stunning set of early London guns cased in a period oak and leather case complete with the maker’s label. The original 28” barrels are in proof with 2 ½” chambers, excellent bores, tight ribs, and fit like new on hinge pin and standing breech. The guns weigh within 1/2oz. of each other at 6lbs. 8oz. and have identical stock dimensions. With chokes that would measure SK/LM in today’s world, the pair would make the ultimate driven grouse guns as well as the ultimate walk up guns for upland birds over fine dogs. And of course, you can make quite an impression at the vintage sporting clays shoots as well. Who shows up with a pair of Husseys! These guns are being offered at a very attractive price, well under what you might pay for a pair from the more well-known London makers. In fact, this pair of Husseys may be the best value on the finest pair of London guns on the market today and a great investment opportunity for those that love fine guns and the shooting sports. Price: $21,900

Webley & Scott 450 BPE Side-by-Side Double Rifle

Webley & Scott 450 BPE SxS Double Rifle: This is a fantastic condition Webley & Scott 450 3 ¼” black powder express double rifle with a 26” barrel. It has a nice weight of 8 pounds 14 ounces and the LOP is 14 3/8”. The DAH is 17/8” and the DAC is 1 ¼”. It retains 95% of the beautiful case colors and 90% barrel finish. The locks, tang, hammers and under lever are nicely engraved. The receiver top is nicely stippled and the barrel rib is matted. Even the butt plate is engraved. The mechanical function on this underlever hammer gun is excellent with perfect bores. The checkering is sharp. The beautiful wood has one small ding on the forearm and two small impressions on the buttstock. The action on this rifle is tight as new. Price: $7,495

Merkel ~ Mod 201E ~ 20 Ga: Barrels: 26″, Chambers: 2 3/4″, Chokes: .010″ and .015″, Metal Condition: No Blemishes, Wood Condition: Very Few Very Lite User Marks, Bore Condition: Bright and Shiny, Triggers: Double Triggers, Stock: Checkered English Grip, Stock Dimensions: 14 3/4″ LOP, Fore End: Checkered, Butt Pad: Leather Recoil Pad, Weight: 6 Lbs 4 OZ. Price: $3,199.99

PARKER GH – 12 GAUGE – COLLECTOR CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL CASE COLOR AND DAMASCUS – ANTIQUE: Here is a high condition Antique Parker GH made in 1892. Excellent original condition with good amounts of case color and lovely high contrast Damascus Pattern on the 30″ barrels. Sharp engraving with great detail. Mechanically outstanding condition – tight on face, barrels ring true, no cracks to the wood. All matching serial numbers of course. Auto safety. Screw slots as original. Fully functional. Mirror bores measuring .732 with full and full chokes. Chambers are 2 3/4″. Period recoil pad has turned hard, needs replacing. As an antique, this gun can be shipped directly as local law allows. This gun is in the Parker Serial Number Book. Shipping is $40. Stock dimensions follow. LOP – 13 7/8″, Drop at Comb – 1 3/4″, Drop at Heel – 2 5/8″. Price: $1,750

Big prices for Parkers at Julia’s Spring ’09 Auction…

March 18, 2009 by Gregg

The James D. Julia Auction Company started their spring 2009 firearms auction yesterday, 3/16. Even though the economy stinks, there’s still money out there for good double barrel shotguns.

Several nice Parkers brought big money, although many of them missed their pre-sale estimates. This nice 20g A-1 Special with 32″ bbls hammered down at $95,000 (plus a 15% buyer’s premium). That’s a lot, but quite a bit below the auctioneer’s $120,000 – $150,000 estimate. While the gun is one of just a few 20g A-1 Specials Parker made, it had been “restored” some (reblued barrels, refinished wood) and that hurt it’s value.

This Parker AAHE 20g was another nice gun that went for big money, but failed to reach its low end estimate. The bidding on this one ended at $55,000, just under the pre-sale estimate of $60,000 – $90,000. The bbl and wood on this one had also been refinished – something the big spenders do not like to see.

One nice Parker that did beat its low-end estimate was was this very cool 28g CHE . This gun went to a buyer for $48,000 against an estimate of $30,000 – $60,000. Why did it do well? On top of being a small bore with very unique monte-carlo-style straight gripped stock, it’s excellent original condition. Almost all of the original barrel blue and color case hardening are present and the wood looks right too. And when it comes to guns, condition is king. Auction after auction has proven that buyers will pay a fat premium for it.

That being said, this Parker GHE 28g went for $48,000, just shy of it’s low-end estimate of $50,000. This gun was in fantastic, all original condition – pretty much new all around with all its blueing, color-case hardening, and wood finish – and it had great wood and a solid provenance. Even though it’s a gun I would give my pinkies to own, I think there’s a simple reason it failed to blast past the estimate: the estimate was just too high. Prices for nice Parkers have skyrocket over the last few years. In the case of this gun, I think the auctioneer was bit too hopeful of what this gun was worth today.

On the more affordable side, a few nice Parkers did sell for under $5,000. This damascus-barreled 12g GH went for $2,750 – not a bad price considering all the original condition it had. A gun like this would be a nice place for a new Parker fan to start building a collection.

Julia’s auction continues today, with lots of Colts and other stuff coming up. I’ll report back soon with info on other American doubles along with info on some British stuff, including a Rigby .450 double rifle and beautiful set of Purdey percussion guns.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, let me know.

Gregg@dogsanddoubles.com