gunsmith | Dogs and Doubles

Is a Parker comparable to a Purdey? A gunsmith’s speaks his mind…

January 10, 2020 by Gregg

JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE

Dewey Vicknair, gunsmith, gunmaker, and gun writer, uses his blog Vicknair Gunsmithing to speak his mind on everything from guns and gunmaking to elephants and ivory.

PARKER DH 8 GAUGE SUPER RARE NOT ANOTHER LIKE IT IN THE WORLD

He’s a knowledgeable, opinionated guy, who doesn’t pull any punches. And his views are firearms are based on more than just books – they’re based on years of hands-on experience.

So when Dewey says something, I listen. Check out this piece for his opinion on how Best guns like Purdeys compare to production-made models like Parkers.

Incredible High Original Condition Parker C Grade Hammer Gun with 32" Bernard barrels: — Incredible High Original Condition Parker C Grade Hammer Gun with 32″ Bernard barrels:

Best vs. Production: The Debate (Apparently) Rages On

Apparently, the term “best gun” and what it means, is a subject of debate lately on certain gun forums. While it is amusing (and a bit cringey) to hear people extoll Parker (or any other maker) as the “Purdey or Boss” of American guns, it’s simply not even remotely …

Read all of Dewey’s post now.

The cost of quality…

August 25, 2013 by Gregg

Stephen Coker & Co, Gun & Rifle Manufacturers

Time is our enemy. Second to second, minute to minute, it passes the same today as yesterday, last year, and a decade ago. That’s no the case with us. As time passes, we wear out and break down. The same is true with our shotguns.

When an old double needs work, getting it repaired right can be expensive – especially top-quality work on Best-quality guns. In this great blog post, Mike Rowe of Stephen Coker & Co talks about why the best quality pairs are expensive.

Workmanship and the Cost of Best-Quality Repairs, from Mike Rowe, Stephen Coker & Co.

“So it must be”. These words flowed from the prolific pen of William Wellington Greener, whilst writing his epic tome “The Gun, and Its Development”. He continued, “Unless attention be given to every piece, no matter how seemingly unimportant, the gun is not well made, and may fail just where least expected”. And so it goes with repairs.

I am often asked during the course of my work on Best Quality antique guns, to provide an estimate on the cost of certain repairs or the making of a replacement part. Unfortunately for owners of fine English guns, repairs are not inexpensive. And it was the same a hundred years or so ago, when the guns were made. Most of the time my replies are met with either a look of disbelief, or stunned silence…

Read the rest of Mike Rowe’s piece now.

Good gun alert: a rare Browning sidelock side by side…

January 4, 2013January 4, 2013 by Gregg

12 gauge Browning Sidelock Side-by-Side Shotgun

To most shotgun people, Browning means over & unders. This company’s Superposed and then Citori lines have been around for over 80+ years and they have to one of the most popular doubles ever made.

But Browning hasn’t always been about stacked barrels. From 1971 t0 1987, they made a line of side-by-sides called the BSS. Starting in 1983, this line included a very well made sidelock shotgun.

Gunsmith James Flynn like thse guns a lot. You can find out why by reading this article here. I’ve seen a few sidelock BSSs. I liked them, but I never wanted them because every one I saw had 26″ bbls.

This one caught my eye because it’s the first one I’ve seen with 28″ barrels. It you’re looking for a reliable double at a good price, it may be worth checking out.

A great gunsmith wants to inspect your gun…

September 24, 2012 by Gregg

Have an old double barrel or side-by-side you’re wondering about? Then here’s a great chance to find out more about it. Gunsinternational.com is bringing. Gunsmith Jack Rowe to the 2012 Vintage Cup, happening next weekend in Addieville, RI. Here are the details:

The most knowledgeable English Trained Gunmaker in the U.S. Jack Rowe will be offering gun examinations, similar to those offered at the British Game Fair. If you have questions concerning any of your guns or if you have a gun of unknown maker, English, Belgian, Spanish or German bring it along to the Vintager’s and have Jack Rowe examine it for you. He will be offering examinations similar to those offered at the U.K. Game Fair. Jack’s examination includes origin, maker, history which could possibly includ individuals involved in the making of your gun. Additionally, he can assist in determining the caliber, gauge, barrel wall thickness, chokes, condition, and if the gun is safe to fire. Jack will be charging a small examination fee for each gun.