GO TO EBAY NOW TO LEARN MORE & BID. ENDS TUESDAY.
Here are some items I just listed on Ebay. All have $1 starts, no reserves.
Made in the 1990s for a 20g Boss OU shotgun, possibly by Vincent Rickards.
Genuine “Lightweight Flat V.C Canvas Case”, superb original condition, made for a 12-gauge side-by-side shotgun, 28” barrel compartment.
Holds up to 500 12-gauge shotgun shells. Made for a British aristocrat.
–Abercrombie & Fitch nickel-plated oil bottle
–Boss & Co 3-turnscrew set, best quality, possibly by Mike Marsh
–Boss & Co 20g chamber brush, best quality
–Boss & Co cleaning rod, best quality
–Purdey 3-turnscrew set, rosewood handles & red leather case
Here’s the perfect OU for upland hunting. These Beretta BL-3 were imported into the U.S. in the late ’60s, early ’70s. Today, they’re one of the best buys you’ll ever find in a bird gun. Simple, rugged, and well made, it’s a ton of gun in lightweight, sexy-looking package.
The 28″ barrels on this one make it special (most have 26″ tubes).
It’s on Gunbroker.com now and the listing ends 3/12/2018 @ 6:41 PM.
Beretta Model BL-3 over & under 20 gauge, 3″ chambers: A nice Beretta Model BL-3 over & under 20 gauge shotgun, has 28-inch vent rib barrels with fixed modified and full chokes. Single-selective triggers. Extractors. Metal condition is excellent with nice blue and no rust and has engraved receiver. Stock and forearm are original and excellent with no cracks and nice original finish.
Beretta OUs are some of best doubles out there, especially the earlier models like these two. Both of these shotguns are coming to auction next week. If you’re looking for a great bird gun, you need to check them out.
Carol Watson’s Orange Coast Auctions has this one. The sale starts Sunday, February 11, 2018 @ 12:00 PM Pacific.
Beretta Model 686 Quail Unlimited Covey Limited Edition Over/Under Shotgun: With fitted pair of 20 ga. barrels, #QU2770, 28” vent rib 28 ga. barrels and 28” vent rib 20 ga. barrels, both fitted for Beretta mobil-chokes (28 ga. IC/IC.; 20 ga. IC/Mod.) Receiver with six gold quail inlaid on sides, plus gold QU logo inlaid on bottom, Beretta logo and other markings, ”1 of 750” on right-hand side; nice dark European walnut wood; 28 ga. forend with Schnaubel tip; 20 ga. is standard; buttstock with 14.5” length of pull to original Beretta pad. In Browning two-barrel hard case. Mfg’d 2003. Condition is excellent showing very little use, with few small handling marks to buttstock. Lockups are tight, bores are bright. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000.
Rock Island Auction Company has this one. It’s coming up for sale Thursday, February 15, 2018, @ 9:00 AM Central.
Engraved Beretta BL3 Over/Under 20 Gauge Shotgun 28″ with with Extra 26″ Barrels: Serial #: V11890. 3″ chambers, choke tube system (improved cylinder/skeet installed), and 14″ LOP. With extra 26″ vent rib 20 gauge barrels with 3″ chambers, and modified/improved cylinder chokes. Also includes 3 Briley choke tubes, and choke tool. Estimate: $1,600-$2,500.
A lot of 28-gauge shotguns aren’t what they claim to be. Even though they shoot 28g shells, they’re really 20-gauge guns. That’s because some makers cut corners when they built them.
Instead of scaling down the entire firearm, they just stick a set of 28-gauge on a 20-gauge frame. The OU or SxS you end up with has the feel and heft of 20, but it shoots more expensive 28-gauge shells. What’s the point?
But some makers do make and have made true 28-gauge guns. Typically, these doubles are really expensive. But that’s not the case with this one at Cabelas in Hazelwood, MO — or at least I think it isn’t.
In the ’60s and into the ’70s, the Charles Daly name was used on a series OU shotguns made by Miroku in Japan. These shotguns were model after Browning Citoris. Overall, they were reliable, well-made doubles.
Miroku made two types of 28 gauge OUs: Some on 20-gauge frames, other on scaled down, 28-gauge frames.
I think the gun you see here is one of those lightweight, baby-frame 28s. According to the Blue Book of Gun Values, Daly/Miroku made around 1,000 of the lightweight/baby frame 28 gauges. So if this is one, and judging by the weight the seller has listed it is, it’s a hard-to-find over-under and a good deal.
Charles Daly Over-Under Shotgun in 28 Gauge: Price: $1,349.99
Weight: 5 Lbs.
Barrels: 26″
Chambers: 2 3/4″
Metal Condition: Minor surface scratches
Wood Condition: Minor surface scratches
Bore Condition: Clean
Stock Dimensions:
14″ LOP
Sights: Vent rib with brass mid and front bead
Chokes: Fixed
I’ve never been into modern shotguns. It’s not that I have anything against them, it’s just that they’ve never done anything for me, kind of like Chevy pickups and the color yellow. That being said, there is one line of modern shotguns I admire: Beretta 686s.
Beretta 686s are affordable, easy to fix, versatile, and good looking. They handle well, too. If you’re looking for a new gun that’s just about all you can ask for.
Like lightweight? Then this Beretta is first you. At just over 6 pounds, it’s about as trim as you can get in a 12 gauge double (or would want to get).
BERETTA S686 ULTRALIGHT 12 GAUGE OVER/UNDER DOUBLE BARREL ITALIAN SHOTGUN: 28″ MOBIL CHOKE BARRELS, SKEET & MODIFIED TUBES INCLUDED, 2 3/4″ CHAMBERS, 14 1/4″ LOP 1 1/2″- 2 1/4″, 6LBS 2OZ, 99% BLUE, A FEW LIGHT HANDLING MARKS IN WOOD. Price: $1,550
If you’re into “different”, this Beretta’s a good choice. Its color-case hardened action gives it a unique look. At the same, its long stock (14 3/4″ LOP) is just what most people need for a shotgun to fit well.
Beretta Custom 686, 12 gauge, OU, Italian Double, color-case hardened with straight grip stock: With a 1.3Kg mobilchoke, 28-inch barrel. The barrel is un-numbered Ultra-lite which has been properly fit to the beautiful color-cased receiver. Three choke tubes included. LOP is 14.75 to factory pad. The drop is 1 3/8 to 2 3/8’ with slight RH cast. Weight is 7 lbs. Metal is 99% and wood is new. The result is a very well handling gun in factory case. Price: $1,875
Remington 1894 are the Rodney Dangerfields of American Doubles. Even though they’re as well made as other American SxSs from that period, they get no respect. They don’t command nutso prices, either. And hat’s great new for anyone who appreciates fine SxSs AND likes getting deal.
So if you like what you see, bid now. It’s on Gunbroker.com now at No Reserve and the listing ends5/14/2017 @ 10:00 PM. So you have the chance to get a great deal on it. And BTW: And just for fun, check out a little Rodney on The Tonight Show back in 1974. He comes on about a minute in.
Remington catalog stated that the AE grades were available in weights from 6 ¾ – 8 lbs. Here’s one that weighs in at a featherweight 6 lbs. 10 oz. with both the 28 & 30” barrels. See specifications below, the gun has nominal bore diameters and thick walls. Small frame gun with frame width at a full .100 narrower than a standard frame gun. Appears to be a 12 built on a 16 sized frame – this is a true lightweight. Lots of case color and original barrel brown left on this one.
Barrel specifications: 30” Barrels: Both diameter @ .732, chokes .013 R, .029 L. Min walls .037 28” Barrels: (27 13/16” actual). Un-cut (see pics) Diameters: R .726, L .728, chokes .003 R, .004L Min walls .046 Stock: 3 ½ x 2 ½ x 14 1/8” to original butt plate. Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. with both barrels.
Nice hammerguns are to find. So when I saw these three on Saturday at the preview for James D. Julia’s 3/12 auction, I stopped and gave each one a closer look. They’re nice shotguns, and all three –a 28 gauge, a 20 gauge, and a lightweight 20 gauge — are very hard to find.
LOT: 2202. THEATE FRERES 28 GA. HAMMER GUN. SN 2135. Cal. 28 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 29-1/2″ Dovetailed steel bbls are gold inlaid “Acier Extra” (Extra steel) and “Para Polvora Sem Fumaca” (For smokeless powder) on tops, which are also stamped “Theate Freres” and “Liege”. Raised, matted game rib is gold inlaid “Casa Laport”, breech end “28”. Bbl flats are stamped with Belgian nitro proofs for 28 ga 2-3/4″ chambers. Coin finished back sidelock hammer action features square crossbolt third fastener, side clips, and double triggers. Locks have rebounding hammers. Action is engraved with rudimentary scroll, and dog pointing flushing duck on each side. Nicely figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-7/8″ over red open sided pad. Matching forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left-.555, right -.550. Bore restrictions: left -.030 (extra full), right -.020 (full). Wall thickness: left -.024, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″. Weight: 5 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-7/8″.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining nearly all of its orig finish on wood and metal, bottom of action browned somewhat. Pad is petrified. Wood has some minor marks. Sling eyes have been removed from bbl and butt (replaced by Phillips screw). Bores are excellent, bright and shiny. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Hammers are a bit loose on tumblers. Twenty-eight gauge hammer guns in this kind of condition are hard to find, especially with long bbls and stock. This sleek little gun should be a lot of fun to shoot.
Estimate: $1,500-$2,500
LOT: 2183. WILLIAM POWELL BAR IN WOOD 20 BORE HAMMER GUN. SN 6920. Cal. 20 ga. 2-1/2″ Chambers. 29″ Blued Damascus bbls are engraved “William Powell & Son, 13, Carrs Lane, Birmingham” on broad, concave game rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs for 20 bore and 22 muzzle, and “Not for Ball”. Bar in wood action is stamped “Powell’s Patent” on water table, referring to locking system, which in this case uses a pivoting top lever and mid mounted crossbolt instead of the usual Powell push-up lever. Rebounding sidelocks have high spurred, round bodied, serpentine hammers. Action and locks are engraved with nicely cut medium scroll. “William Powell & Son” is on each lockplate. Trigger plate has double ball finial with SN on tang. Trigger guard is scroll engraved on bow. Nicely marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/16″ over leather faced Silver type pad with white line spacer. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip and a vacant silver oval is on toe line. Matching, but fully checkered, splinter forend has Anson release with Anson patent marking on iron. Bore diameter: left-.622, right -.623. Bore restrictions: left -.015 (mod), right -.014 (mod). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.035. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 5 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 14-1/16″.
CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain most of an old matte re-black, no Damascus pattern showing. Action and lockplates mostly cleaned to pewter gray, with scant traces of orig color hardening visible where protected by hammers. Stock retains most of an old oil finish over visible sanding marks. Checkering re-run long ago on buttstock. Forend checkering is considerably worn. Action is slightly loose even though punch marks, from “blacksmith” tightening, are visible at hook and locking lug. Locks are crisp. Left hammer screw is a modern replacement. Bores are bright and shiny with some scattered pits. A rare, high grade small bore hammer gun that’s certainly worth restoring to its former glory.
Estimate: $1,500-$2,500
LOT: 2181. W. & C. SCOTT “THE ZEPHYR” HAMMER GUN. SN 46949. (ca 1893) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This unusual lightweight gun has 28-3/16″ two stripe Damascus bbls with concave, matted game rib engraved “W & C Scott & Son Makers & Patentees London.” on unmatted portion. Top of left bbl is engraved “The Zephyr”. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs, “Choke”, and “England”. Special lightweight action with tiny bar mounting rebounding hammer back action sidelocks derives extra strength from dolls head extension. Action is engraved with about 50% coverage medium scroll. Sidelocks are engraved with semi-relief shaded oak leaves. Locks are engraved “W & C Scott & Son”. Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN at grip. Broadly striped and nicely figured European walnut Prince of Wales grip buttstock measures 13-7/8″ over Silver pad, and features flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Fully checkered splinter forend has engraved metal tip and pluck-off tension spring release. Bore diameter: left-.734, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.030 (full), right -.010 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.032. Drop at heel: 3-1/4″, drop at comb: 1-7/8″. Weight: 5 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 13-7/8″.
CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a very fine re-brown with good definition to pattern, over some scattered pitting. Action retains approx 30% orig case hardening color where protected, but is mostly pewter gray. Stocks retain most of an old rubbed oil finish with a few subsequent minor marks, checkering competently re-cut. All restoration work appears to have been done quite a long while ago. Action is tight. Bbls are somewhat off face. Dolls head shows some peaning. Locks are crisp. Left hammer is an unengraved replacement, but is of the correct style. Bores are very fine, shiny throughout, with some light frosting. Overall, a very unique and classic shotgun.
Estimate $1,000-$1,500
Just a quick update before the weekend. I’m heading up to Maine to chase woodcock with Puck. I’m very excited to see some birds and get the dog in the woods. The woodock should be back in full force, so I hope to see a bunch of them. We may get out in the evening to watch the males display, too. I’ll post some pics on Sunday.
Here are a couple interesting guns on the market right now:
Here’s an odd “Purdey” hammergun. It has a sidelever and a very plain finish. It is not “…in the white…” as the seller states. Instead, it’s just plain, low grade double barrel, retailed by Purdey and probably made by W. & C. Scott. The price is very optimistic.
This Lang is another interesting side-by-side shotgun. It’s a converted pinfire with a unique lever-opening action. Very odd.
And don’t forget Amoskeag Auction Company’s sale on March 26. There are lots of Lefevers there, plus a few other nice guns, including this brand new Turner Lightweight (look at that ‘friggin condition) and a super little Francotte .410 (with long barrels AND a long stock–hard to find).
Here are all the Lefevers, listed by lot #:
6. Lefever Arms Company D-Grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
7. Lefever Arms Company F-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
48. Rare Special Order Lefever DE Grade Sidelock Ejectorgun, 16g
95. Lefever Arms Company E-grade Sidelock Double Ejectorgun, 12g
360. Lefever Arms Company F-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
512. Rare Barber and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
514. Rare Barber and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
515. Rare Barber and Lefever Round Body Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 12g
564. Lefever Arms Company H-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
565. Lefever Arms Thumb-opener Sidelock Double Shotgun, 10g
588. John Nichols E-grade Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
607. Lefever Arms Company H-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 16g
615. Lefever Arms Company DS Grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 20g
616. Lefever Arms Company F-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 16g
619. Lefever Arms Company E-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 10g
620. Lefever Arms Company F-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
621. Lefever Arms Company I-grade Sidelock Double Ejectorgun, 12g
622. Lefever Arms Company G-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
679. Manton Percussion Double Converted to Breech-loader by Dangerfield and Lefever , 12g
681. Dangerfield and Lefever Breechloading Double Hammergun Conversion, 10g
682. Nichols and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
683. Nichols and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
684. Nichols and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 12g
685. Extremely Rare H. Tomes & Co Percussion Double Converted to Breechloader by Francis Dangerfield
756. Lefever Arms Company G-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
762. Lefever Arms Company DS-Grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 16g
822. Nichols and Lefever Thumb Opener Double Hammergun, 10g
847.Bar-in-wood Percussion Converted Double Barrel Shotgun by J A Ellis of Canandaigua New York, 10g
848.Bar-in-wood Percussion Converted Double Barrel Shotgun by Dangerfield & Lefever, 14g
852. Lefever Arms G Grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
867. Lefever Arms Company H-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
868. Lefever Arms Company G-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
869. LeFever Arms Company DS Grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
872. Lefever Arms Company F-grade Sidelock Double Shotgun, 12g
909. Rare Barber and Lefever Thumb Opener Percussion-converted Shotgun, 16g
