paris | Dogs and Doubles

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

February 10, 2020 by Gregg

A. Chapu ~ Stunning from pre-WWII Paris BEST quality Sidelocks: Hammerless Sidelocks – This along with our number 3967 is a fabulous pair of Shotguns. Quality of a Boss, Purdey, or Holland Royalâ€™s this pair is a joy to hold, fondle, and at a price much less than what the others would certainly cost you. BEST quality features include chopperlump barrels, double seared locks, bushed firing pins, and articulated front triggers. Featured in what I believe to be their original retailerâ€™s trunk case these guns are in outstanding condition. The weight and choking combined with their original 2 3/4″ chambering make these guns an excellent choice for sporting clays or the hard dying Montana, Dakota\’s and eastern Oregon ringnecks. Price: $14,500

A.H. Fox CE 16 gauge SXS Philadelphia shotgun: Fine example of an original Fox CE with beavertail forend. A gorgeously crafted American-made shotgun in spectacular condition. Serial Number: 303164. Ejectors: Yes. Condition: Excellent. Metal Condition: Excellent. Wood Condition: Excellent original finish shows little wear. Bore Condition: Mirror. Barrels: 28″. Barrel Type: Chromox Steel. Triggers: Double. Gauge: Sixteen Stock Comb: DOC: 1 3/8″, Stock Heel: DOH: 2 1/2″. Stock Cast: Off. Fore End: Beavertail. Butt Pad: Leather. LOP: 14.5. Finish: Hand-rubbed Oil. Sights: Single Steel Bead. Manufacture Date: 1931. Chokes: Left: Modified (.017), Right: Improved Cylinder (.006). Minimum Wall Thickness Left: .043″. Minimum Wall Thickness Right: .039″. Price: $15,500

CSMC RBL 28 ga 28 inch Deluxe wood English Stock, Auto Eject, Cased: RBL002862, Caliber/Gauge: 28 Ga., Barrel Length: 28 inch, Sights: Factory Original Bore: Excellent, Rib: Solid, Choke: Improved Modified/ Modfied, Chamber: 2 3/4 inches, Length of Pull: 14 3/4 inches, Drop Comb: 1 1/2 inches, Drop Heel: 2 1/4 inches, Weight: 5.52 lbs, Cast: Neutral, Finish: Factory Original, Grips/Stock: Factory Original Price: $4750

PRE-WAR 1930 FRIEDRICH HEYM 12GA. 26″ DELUXE 4A GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN: Serial number “60xx” and dated 11/30 (1930) on barrels. Raised solid ib engraved “Grade 4A Krupp Fluid Steel Barrels” so made for the American market. Barrels also engraved “Suhl, Germany” on left and ‘Fr. Wilh. Heym” on right. All the correct proofs on water table. Very old professionally reblued barrels(only barrels) choked improved cylinder and modified and chambered for 2 3/4″ shells. Markings still crisp. Mint brilliant bore with no dents or dings. Ejectors. Original splinter forend with horn tip, original checkering and no cracks, hairlines or wood losses(engraving superb including screw heads inside). Deluxe 4A case colored receiver with crisply heavy relief engraved game scenes(see photos) and most of the original case colors darkening to patina. Screws unturned. Cocking indicators. Boxlock with sideplates. Dbl triggers extending through 14 1/3″ length of pull over original basketweave horn buttplate with no losses(often chipped or worm eaten). Original buttstock with fabulous deluxe wood(match forend) having horn pistol grip cap and NO cracks, hairlines, or wood loss. Checkering original and very fine. Right hand cast. Lever at center and tight on face as would be expected with sideclips. Works perfectly. Heym still in business today. Very fine example of one of Germany’s greatest makers and never before been on the market. Weighs 6 lbs. Price: $3,850

ITHACA SKB 280 20GA: These are rock solid guns! No issues. Ready for field, forest or range. A few hunting marks keep wood from being Excellent. Chambers: 3 IN, Ejectors: Yes, Condition: EXCELLENT, Metal Condition: EXCELLENT, Wood Condition: VERY GOOD, Bore Condition: BRIGHT CHROME LINED, Barrels: 25IN. Barrel Type: CHROME LINED, Triggers: SINGLE SELECTIVE, Gauge: 20GA, Stock Comb: 1 1/2IN, Stock Heel: 2 3/8 IN, Butt Pad: ORIGINAL, LOP: 14 1/4 REAR POSITION SINGLE TRIGGER, Weight: 6 LBS 2 OZ, Choke Left: MOD Choke Right: IMP/CYL. Price: $1675

Beautiful shotgun, bargain price: 12g boxlock Gastinne Renette …

December 24, 2015 by Gregg

12g Gastinne Renette, Paris, Side-by-Side Shotgun

I love the American guns, but I hate the prices you have to pay for good ones. On most Parkers, Foxes, L.C. Smiths — especially the higher grades — you’re paying more for a name and its sentimental connections than you are for true quality.

But when you buy Belgian and French doubles, different dynamics come into play. You can pay relatively little money and get a gun that’s extremely well made. That’s the case with this Gastinne Renette. It’s a fantastic double, very high quality, and it looks like it’s in incredible original condition.

Gastinne Renette is one of Europe’s most famous gunmakers. They started building guns in the early-to-mid 1800s, and their clients included all sorts of aristocrats and noble types, including Napoleon III. I think they still had a retail shop in Paris up into the 1970s.

This Gastinne is an Anson & Deeley pattern boxlock with ejectors. It looks like it was built in Belgium, probably before WW2, and then retailed in Paris by the “maker”. This was a pretty common practice for a lot of the Parisian gunmakers, and for a lot of the “makers” throughout Europe.

12g Gastinne Renette, Paris, Side-by-Side Shotgun: A 12 ga shotgun chambered for 2-1/2″ shells. A very classic looking European shotgun with a straight grip stock. Very thin in the wrist area. Very tight engraving on the frame. Heavy deep relief engraved bolsters. The frame has most case color remaining. Typical of European style, the inset panel is in blue as is the trigger guard. Extensive high quality engraving with the classical long pointed lower tang. Bbl blue very nice also. Wood is good overall cond with typical hunting mars and dings. The buttplate on this is not separate but instead sculpted into the stock. Letters in gold are “J L F” towards the heal of the stock. A fine looking shotgun that would make a dandy hunting gun. Price: $ 2,100

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

December 20, 2015 by Gregg

GREENER 360 NO. 2 EJECTOR SxS DOUBLE RIFLE: Exceptionally fine condition this Anson & Deeley boxlock Ejector Greener Double Rifle was made in 1928 and remains in exceptional condition. The Trigger guard is engraved: “GRADE R.E.H.T. 60” Chambered for the .360 #2, 3” it has great bores and the previous owner reports excellent accuracy. The gun weighs 10 lb 7 oz with 26 ½” barrels. The front sight is a moderate size bead with a fixed rear sight labeled 100 yards and folding leaves at 200 and 300 yards. The stock is straight grain well laid out walnut nicely checked over the top of the grip. The length of pull is 14 3/8” with drop from line of sight at 1 7/8” and 2 ¾” to the heel. The barrels shows the “40 Pall Mall, London. S.W.” address and are engraved for the “Cordite 55 Grs Bullet ‘320Grs” load. Barrel flats show Greener Trade Mark elephant, Birmingham Nitro Proofs and chamber specs. The gun is in wonderful condition with the only corrosion in the Greener Safety recess with gold SAFE lettering. The stock has a few nicks, shows some shrinkage but is overall excellent. The butt is capped with a checkered steel buttplate and a horn grip cap and forend tip.The checkering is in excellent condition and is more pointed-up and not flat-toppedd giving a firm grip. Some cartridge brass is included with the rifle. Price: $19,995

CHARLES DALY DIAMOND QUALITY 16GA: Early Lindner manf. 26in IC and Full. .006 & .024. Double triggers. Automatic ejectors. Receiver fully scroll engraved with game scene on bottom and trigger guard. 50-60% case coloring. 97-98% blue. 14 1/4 LOP pad. 1 1/2 comb 2 1/4 heel. Excellent bores. Light weight model only 6 lbs! Price: $8,950

W.W. GREENER JUBILEE GRADE SIDE-BY-SIDE – 12 GAUGE – EJECTORS – HIGH CONDITION FROM 1934: Here is an oustanding original condition Greener Jubilee Grade made in 1934 to celebrate His Majesty, King George’s Silver Jubilee. This gun features a Anson and Deeley style scalloped action with ejectors. Case colors at 80%. Original bore configuration and in proof – chambers ar 2 1/2″, chokes at IC (12/1000) and Full (42/1000). Rolled edge trigger guard. Auto safety. Tight on face. Barrels ring true – no loose ribs. Nicely executed engraving including fences and barrel bands. Unengraved stock oval. Barrel length is 27″. Flat top checkering. The annual production of hand made guns for WW Greener in 1934 was a total of 100 guns. Made in a great period of English gunmaking. Stock dimensions: LOP – 14 1/8″, Drop at Comb – 1 1/2″, Drop at Heel – 2″. Price: $3,500

HIGH QUALITY “Gastinne Renette, A Paris” FRENCH SxS SHOTGUN: A 12 ga shotgun chambered for 2-1/2″ shells. A very classic looking European shotgun with a straight grip stock. Very thin in the wrist area. Very tight engraving on the frame. Heavy deep relief engraved bolsters. The frame has most case color remaining. Typical of European style, the inset panel is in blue as is the trigger guard. Extensive high quality engraving with the classical long pointed lower tang. Bbl blue very nice also. Wood is good overall cond with typical hunting mars and dings. The buttplate on this is not separate but instead sculpted into the stock. Price: $2,100.

L C SMITH NO.2, 30″ DAMASCUS BARRELS, EXCELLENT WOOD: No Cracks, Tight Action, SN#40601, Made in 1897-98. LOP: 14 1/2″ Front Trigger, 13 1/2″ Back Trigger. Three Position Safety, Gun Requires Low Pressure Shells. Price is $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016. Antique Gun, No FFL Required. Price: $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016.

Auction alert: 12g N. Guyot, Paris, boxlock SxS…

November 13, 2015 by Gregg

As I’ve written before, N. Guyot is one of the mysteries of the European gun trade. In the early to mid 1800s and into the 20th century, someone — or perhaps a family — “made” all sorts of firearms under this name: From target pistols and fancy hammerguns to high-quality sidelocks and plainer boxlocks. It appears that they had a shop in Paris for many, many decades, and for a time, an office in London.

There was also a N. Guyot who an inventor with several patents to his name and a world-class pigeon shooter who won the Monaco Grand Prix du Casino in 1901. Perhaps this was the founder of the firm, or a son who carried on the name?

N. Guyot, Paris, 12 gauge, double barrel, SxS, sideplated boxlock shotgun

As you can tell, I know very little about who N. Guyot was. But I do know that someone made some nice doubles with this name on them. Here’s one of their nicer side-by-side boxlocks. It’s coming up to auction today at Powell Auction & Realty LLC in Knoxville, TN.

From what I can see, this sideplated shotgun was made between 1887-1896. It carries a full-set of London proof marks from that period (for Black Powder, not Nitro), but no Belgian or French proof marks. This is one of the mysteries of Guyot: Why would a gunmaker with a retail shop in Paris have his a shotgun proofed in London — especially if it was made back home in France or next door in Belgium?

Condition wise, the color-case hardening on this gun looks pretty original. I’m not sure about bbl blueing and wood finish, though. Both look fresher to me, and the checkering has definitely been recut. Also, this gun has some funky looking ejectorwork on it which appears to be unique to Guyots. Wonder what it is?

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

November 3, 2013 by Gregg

Renato Telo 28 ga. O/U, ejectors, 28 ” barrels: Feature a machine checkered solid rib, 2-3/4″ chambers, choked strong modified and improved modified (.017/.025). This little gun was sent to Ken Eyster, who is the master of chokes and patterns, for a complete efficiency treatment. Extensive testing and patterning have made this 28 extremely effective at all distances. The true to scale coin finished action with gold line borders, accents of English scroll and a beautifully executed woodcock in flight on the bottom. The sideplates are inscribed Renato Telo and New England Arms. This is one of a special series imported by New England Arms that feature the finest exhibition Circassian walnut money could buy, and this 28 is a stunning example. Extraordinary black and gold figure with flame feather crotch measures 1-3/8′ comb, 2″ heel, 14-3/4″ from the single trigger to the checkered butt. At true 28 ga. at 5lbs, 5oz! Feels alive in your hands! As new condition. Price: $10,250

PETER MARHOLT OVER/UNDER DOUBLE RIFLE, SHOTGUN SET. MATCHING NUMBERS.30-06 AND 12 GA. BARRELS, DOUBLE KERSTEN BLITZ ACTION WITH EJECTORS AND BUSHED STRIKERS.FULLY ENGRAVED WITH GAME SCENES AND SCROLL.24″ 30-06 BARRELS WITH EXCELLENT BORES, QUARTER RIB AND CLAW MOUNTS WITH HENDSOLDT 4X32 SCOPE.12GA,28″ BARRELS WITH EXCELLENT BORES,CHOKED FULL AND MODIFIED WITH 98% BLUE & OVERALL EXCELLENT CONDITION THRUOUT,CIRCA 1951,RIFLE WEIGHT WITH SCOPE IS 8 LBS 9 OZ.WITH SHOT GUN BARRELS 6 LBS 10 OZS.L.O.P. IS 14 7/16″ D.O.C. 1 3/8″ AND D.O.H. 2 1/4″ES WITH LEATHER CASE. Price: $8,995.00

CHARLES DALY PRUSSIAN DIAMOND QUALITY SXS 12 GAUGE: 30″ FULL AND FULL 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTOR SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION 7LBS 3 OZ X 2 1/2 X 1 5/8 X 14 3/8. Price: $6,950.00

Mode of Paris 12 Gauge SxS Boxlock Ejector Pair : A true pair and the measurements are the same for both. These are very well balanced with a case and leather covered pads. The actions are both tight on the face with 40% case colour remaining on both. The guns have a hidden third fastener with side clips and arcade d fences reminiscent of a Woodward. The barrels are 29 1/2″ with clean bores That measure: .727/.727 and chokes: .009/.020. The stocks are straight grip / splinter with good chequering/ finish and dimensions. The dah is 2 1/4″, dac 1 1/2″, 0 cast, 14 1/2″ lop. 6lbs 12oz. Price: $4,850.00

Pair of Mode of Paris Double Barrel, SxS12 Gauge Ejectors

ITHACA NID FIELD MAGNUM Double Barrel Shotgun, 3 1/2″ 10 GAUGE: #500XXX 32″ FULL AND FULL 3 1/2″ CHAMBERS DOUBLE TRIGGER EXTRACTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH LIGHT HANDLING MARKS 10LBS 14 OZ X 2 1/4 X 1 1/2 X 15 LOP. Price: $3,500.00

Another great Guyot side-by-side shotgun….

December 26, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge Guyot double barrel sidelock shotgun

I’m a big fan of Guyot shotguns, and I’ve written about these doubles here, here, and here. Just about every Guyot side-by-side that I’ve seen has been very well made, from the lower-end boxlocks to the top-of-line sidelocks.

The sidelock here is an another example of just how much skill went into Guyot’s best double barrel shotguns. It was auctioned off last year and went for a very fair at a great price. I wish I had been the person who got it. Here’s the auctioneer’s full listing on it:

46. Very fine French Sidelock Double Ejector Shotgun by Guyot of Paris

Serial #12451, 12 bore, 29 1/2″ barrels are choked improved cylinder and modified and show bright excellent bores. The shotgun features ejectors, cocking indicators, articulated front trigger, sideclips and non-automatic safety. The action and locks feature full coverage rose and scroll engraving with “N. GUYOT” on left lock and “A PARIS” on right lock. The barrel rib is engraved “Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid Comressed Steel” and the barrels are marked “N. Guyot Arqr. Paris / 12 Rue de Ponthieu”.

The barrels retain 95% superb quality blued finish that appears original. The barrels feature their original French proofs and have been additionally proofed in England “12 ga / 70mm / 850 BAR”. The action and locks retain 80% original color case-hardened finish with most loss on belly where colors are blending with a pleasing smooth gray patina. The triggerguard retains about 60% thinning original blue finish. The checkered straight grip buttstock and splinter forend are of beautifully figured French walnut and rate excellent plus and may have been lightly cleaned with freshened checkering.

The shotgun locks up very tight and points beautifully with a 14 5/8″ pull over a later leather covered pad with drops of 1 1/2″ and 2 1/8″. A very fine, best quality Parisian double gun of superlative quality. (Estimate: $8000/12,000) SOLD FOR $9200.00.

12 gauge Guyot double barrel sidelock shotgun

Another good looking Guyot double barrel…

December 7, 2012December 7, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge Guyot double barrel boxlock ejector

Guyot is mysterious gunmaker. Even though the company made beautiful sidelocks and boxlocks, there’s very little information out there about its history. I know because I’ve been researching Guyot for years and all I’ve discovered is in this piece I wrote a few years ago: “Who the heck was Guyot?”

But nice Guyot shotguns keep popping up on the market. This nearly-new 16g boxlock came on the market last January and this 12 gauge side-by-side showed up a couple days ago:

N. Guyot Boxlock Ejector, 12 bore, 2 1/2″ chambers, ejectors, 28 1/4″ barrels choked .000 Cyl. and .034 Full, 6 lbs. 12 oz., 15 1/2″ LOP, double triggers, straight grip, splinter forend, very fine English scroll engraving with rose bouquets, rib extension 3rd bite, sideclips, concave game rib engraved “N. GUYOT ARQ A PARIS”

Unfortunately, it’s already sold. Just check out the pics (courtesy M.W. Reynolds) to see why it went so quickly.

Vintage double of the week: 16 gauge Guyot shotgun…

January 11, 2012January 10, 2012 by Gregg

Guyot is a gunmaker I’ve written about before. While I’ve seen a number of double-barrel shotguns marked with the Guyot name, I know very little about the maker. About all I’ve been able to come up with is that they made some real nice guns. This boxlock at Jaqua’s is an excellent example.

It’s a 16g gauge with double triggers and ejectors. It looks like it was made on the proven Anson & Deeley patent action. I would guess that this gun was made in Belgium for Guyot, and if I had to bet I would say that Francotte was behind it (check out this Francotte Knock About to see what I mean).

Finish wise, it looks nearly new and all original. If it is all that, $1995 is a reasonable price. Where else can you buy that much quality, and that much condition, for that kind of money?