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

Arrizabalaga 20 gauge Round Body Sidelock Ejector Shotgun with 28 inch barrels:
Arrizabalaga 20 gauge Round Body Sidelock Ejector Shotgun with 28 inch barrels:

Arrizabalaga 20 gauge Round Body Sidelock Ejector Shotgun with 28 inch barrels:
A pre-owned Arrizabalaga 20 gauge Round Body Sidelock Ejector Shotgun with 28 inch barrels Calibre: 20 gauge Action: Round Body Sidelock Ejector with H&H style self-opening system Triggers: Double with front articulated Safety: Automatic Barrel Length: 28 Inches Chamber: 2 3/4 Inch Rib: Game concaved Chokes: Right: Skeet Left: Improved Cylinder Type: Deluxe Grade Walnut Length: 14 1/2 Inches Grip: Traditional English straight hand grip Butt End Finish: Chequered Forend: Splinter Style Forend Description: Acanthus Leaf Scroll Finish: Case Colour Finish Weight: 6lb 5oz Case: Uncased Price: $12,500*

Winchester 21 16 Gauge Double Trigger SXS
Winchester 21 16 Gauge Double Trigger SXS

Winchester 21 16 Gauge Double Trigger SXS: Double Trigger Serial Number: 6648 Ejectors: Yes Barrels: 26 inches Triggers: Double Trigger Gauge: 16 Gauge Stock Comb: 1 1/2 inches Stock Heel: 2 1/4 inches LOP: 13 3/4 inches Price: $8,495*

Webley & Scott ~ Side by Side ~ 20 Gauge ~ Boxlock Ejector
Webley & Scott ~ Side by Side ~ 20 Gauge ~ Boxlock Ejector

Webley & Scott ~ Side by Side ~ 20 Gauge ~ Boxlock Ejector: Webley & Scott Side by Side Shotgun in 20 gauge. This is a boxlock ejector shotgun with 26-inch barrels with a flat top rib. The right barrel is marked Webley & Scott, the left barrel is marked Birmingham. Proved for 3″ cartridges at proof pressure of 3 1/2 Tons per square inch, Chokes at Improved Modified & Full. Engraved with scrolls with case color finish, Double Triggers, Quality Walnut Stock, traditional English straight grip, Splinter forend with Anson release, 14 1/2 inch LOP. The bores are bright and shiny. Price: $5,499.99*

M. Hirschheide - Combination Gun, 16ga/7x57mm. 26 1/2” Flusstahl Steel Barrels.
M. Hirschheide – Combination Gun, 16ga/7x57mm. 26 1/2” Flusstahl Steel Barrels.

M. Hirschheide – Combination Gun, 16ga/7x57mm. 26 1/2” Flusstahl Steel Barrels. MAKE OFFER: Extremely high quality, very unusual gun with even serial number, upper locking lug bolt, rebated frame, cocking indicators, folding pop up tang peep sight, two leaf express sights on barrel, full solid matted rib, splinter forend, set trigger, capped pistol grip, cheek piece. Absolutely perfect screws, never been apart, 75% scroll engraved action with most case color and patina mixed in, horn butt plate, swivels, perfect bores, pre-war. An untouched gun, never been cleaned up, bolstered frame, just an overall great gun from every aspect and completely original, very little use with only minor storage marks. 6 lbs. 4 oz. 14” LOP. Price: $3,250*

Smith & Wesson ~ Elite Gold Grade I ~ 20 GA ~ SxS
Smith & Wesson ~ Elite Gold Grade I ~ 20 GA ~ SxS

Smith & Wesson ~ Elite Gold Grade I ~ 20 GA ~ SxS: Manufactured in Turkey and Imported into the United States from 2007-2010 this Smith & Wesson remains in excellent overall condition. This is an ejector gun with a single selective safety. Wood has a few light use marks, with some flaking around butt from checkering. Blue and bores are excellent with beautiful case coloring on receiver. This is a beautiful little gun in 20 GA! 20 Gauge. Chambers: 3″ Metal Condition: Excellent Wood Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Excellent Barrels: 26″ Solid Rib Triggers: Single Selective Safety Stock Dimensions: 14 1/2″ LOP – 1 1/2″ DAC – 2 3/8″ DAH Fore End: Checkered Walnut Round Knob – Checkered Walnut Splinter Forend Butt Pad: Checkered Wood Butt Plate Weight: 6 1/2 lbs Sights: White Front Bead – Metal Mid Bead Chokes: Imp./Imp. – Fixed Price: $2,299.99*

FYI: DogsandDoubles.com is a not a gun dealer. We do not sell firearms. We do not have an FFL. The guns you see listed here are from Gunsinternational.com, a site DogsandDoubles.com is not affiliated with in any way. The accuracy of these listings from Gunsinternational.com has not been verified by Dogs and Doubles. All information and images have been provided by the sellers. Buyers are responsible for verifying the physical condition and specifications of the listed items. Dogs and Doubles suggests you and a qualified gunsmith physically inspect an item before purchasing.

Any statements made on DogsandDoubles.com regarding a firearm’s condition, originality, safety, value, or suitability to use are opinions only. These statements have not been verified. They are not guaranteed to be accurate or correct in any way.

Exceptional Charles Dalys coming up in Julia’s 3/12 auction……

12 gauge Charles Daly Regent Diamond Grade Single Barrels 12 gauge Trap Shotgun
12 gauge Charles Daly Regent Diamond Grade Single Barrels 12 gauge Trap Shotgun

Charles Daly shotguns & drilling used to be some of the finest guns available in America. Even though these firearms were made in Europe, they were marketed under the Charles Daly name and sold in American sporting good shops like Von Lengerke & Detmolf and Abercrombie & Fitch.

The three Charles Dalys you see below are a great exceptional examples of just how nice these gun could be. If you would like to own one of them, all three coming up to auction this Tuesday, March 12, at James D. Julia’s Spring Firearms Auction.

12 gauge Charles Daly Regent Diamond Grade Single Barrels 12 gauge Trap Shotgun
12 gauge Charles Daly Regent Diamond Grade Single Barrels 12 gauge Trap Shotgun

LOT 2208: OVER THE TOP CHARLES DALY REGENT DIAMOND SINGLE BARREL TRAP GUN. SN 2422. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chamber. This heavily embellished, top of the line, trap gun has 32″ bbl fitted with raised, ventilated rib, mounted with two red beads, and gold inlaid “Charles Daly Regent Diamond Quality” in scroll engraved rear portion. 3-1/2″ Triangles of exceptional relief scroll engraving extend from breech end. Bottom of bbl is stamped with HAL crossed pistol logo, the mark of H. A. Lindner, maker of what many believe to be the finest Daly’s of all time. Large matching ejector tapered beavertail forend has Deeley release. Bore diameter: .721. Bore restriction: .035 (Full). Wall thickness: .068. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″. Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″.

CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 98% + orig blue, slightly silvered on edges of rib, with a few light scratches and marks. Action retains considerable amount of its orig case hardening color, high points and engraving pleasingly silvered. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish, with a few light marks, checkering slightly worn and dirty. Original pad is petrified. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Bbl is on face. Ejector is strong. The finest craftsmanship is evident everywhere on this masterpiece of German gunmaking.

PRICE: $8,000-$12,000

16 gauge Charles Daly Diamond Grade Double Barrels 16 gauge Shotgun
16 gauge Charles Daly Diamond Grade Double Barrels 16 gauge Shotgun

LOT 2209: CHARLES DALY LIGHTWEIGHT 16 GAUGE DIAMOND GRADE GAME GUN. SN 2118. Cal. 16 ga. 2-1/2″ Chambers. 28″ bbls are engraved “Charles Daly Diamond Quality” on unmatted portion of raised, matted, concave rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with HAL crossed pistol logos (mark of H. A. Lindner) and “Witten Excelsior”. Scroll flanked circular Witten logos are engraved on tops of bbls in front of 1-1/2″ triangles of nicely cut medium scroll. Case hardened, scallop-backed, small boxlock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), side clips, hidden square crossbolt third fastener, and pin type cocking indicators. A Miller selective trigger has been fitted. Water table is stamped “Prussia”.  Bore diameter: left-.671, right -.670. Bore restrictions: left -.018 (Mod), right -.010 (IC). Drop at heel: 2-9/16″, drop at comb: 1-11/16″. Weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-1/2″.

16 gauge Charles Daly Diamond Grade Double Barrels 16 gauge Shotgun
16 gauge Charles Daly Diamond Grade Double Barrels 16 gauge Shotgun

CONDITION: Very fine. Action retains 30 – 40% orig case hardening color, strong where protected, but is mostly a very pleasing bright silver. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish, edges slightly rounded, with a number of minor marks, checkering somewhat worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Trigger works. Ejectors are in time. A very high quality shotgun that would be a fine little upland gun.

PRICE: $6,000-$9,000

Exceptional Charles Daly 20g x 20g X 30.30 Sidelock Drilling
Exceptional Charles Daly 20g x 20g X 30.30 Sidelock Drilling

LOT 2221: EXCEPTIONAL CHARLES DALY 20 GA OVER 30-30 SIDELOCK DRILLING. SN 113906. (ca 1912) Cal. 20 ga. x 20 ga. x 30-30. 28″ Krupp steel bbls are engraved “J. P. Sauer & Son, Suhl.” on tops. Full length matted rib has flip-up combination sight for rifle/ shotgun.  Case hardened, full back-sidelock action features tang mounted safety (engraved SAFE) with flip-up adjustable rear peep sight hinged through, pin cocking indicator for rifle bbl, crossbolt third fastener, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, bushed strikers for shotgun bbls, rifle cocking side lever, and double triggers. Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-1/8″.

Exceptional Charles Daly 20g x 20g X 30.30 Sidelock Drilling
Exceptional Charles Daly 20g x 20g X 30.30 Sidelock Drilling

CONDITION: Excellent. Action retains 80% + orig case hardening color, silvered somewhat on bottom and fences. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig color. Stocks retain nearly all their orig rubbed oil finish with a few minor marks and knocks, as would be expected from light field use. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Mechanically excellent. 20 Bore Daly Drillings are very scarce, and not listed in the 1902 catalog.

PRICE: $4,000-$6,000

Gold inlays that don’t suck…

FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410
FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410

I’m not a big fan of gold on shotguns.  Too little of it looks out of place and too much of it makes a double look like it was overhauled by Pimp My Ride. This 20 L.C. Smith Deluxe Grade comes to mind. Yeah – yuck.

But when gunmakers get it right, gold can actually make a double barrel more elegant and beautiful. That’s the case with this .410 Francotte sidelock that Steve Barnett has right now.

The gold on this shotgun makes a statement. But instead of screaming “Look at me and how expensive I am” it encourage you to admire the entire gun. There’s plenty to admire, too.

FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410
FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410

First, there’s the overall composition and execution of the inlays. Instead of looking superfluous, this gold work is part of the action’s sculpting, engraving and overall design. By varying the size, style, and positions of the birds, the engraver added depth and life to the work. This makes the inlays interesting and far more appealing. Instead of being stuck on top of the lockplates, these birds look like they’re alive and in flight.

I also like how the flashiness of the gold is restrained by dusky color-case hardening on the action (gold on a coin-finish is a bad idea). The bling that’s there actually enhances the blood-red hues and chocolate swirls of the French-walnut stock, making both more pronounced and stunning.

Along with its perfect adornment, this .410 Francotte is also beautifully made. Check out how well the forend iron fits against the barrels and action. Then look at those drop points and the shaping of the stock. Again, first quality work.

Mention gold inlays to me and I’m going to think “ostentatious”. There’s no way around it. On a gun, gold is always flashy and almost never necessary. It’s only there to call attention to itself. How it calls attention to itself, and the impression it leaves, are what’s important. In the case of this .410 Francotte, the impression leaves me, well, impressed.

FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410
FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410

 

FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410
FRANCOTTE BEST SIDELOCK PRE WAR 410

American Takes Gold in Women’s Skeet, Setting Records….

American Takes Gold in Women’s Skeet, Setting Records
American Takes Gold in Women’s Skeet, Setting Records

Congratulations Kim Rhodes. It looks like she’s doing some amazing shooting over there in London. Way to go!

Check it out, from the NYTs:

“LONDON – Under drizzly, gray British skies, the shooter Kim Rhode made American Olympic history.

Rhode, 33, became the first American athlete to win five medals in an individual event in five consecutive Olympic Games. She earned a gold medal in women’s skeet on Sunday, setting an Olympic record and tying the world record by hitting 99 out of 100 targets. She also became the first woman to win three gold medals in Olympic shooting.

Rhode hit an Olympic record 74 of 75 targets in the preliminary rounds at the Royal Artillery Barracks, shattering the 2008 record of 72.” Read the entire piece here.