16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

In Catholic School, the nuns taught us that to covet is to sin. The second I saw this double barrel shotgun, I sinned. It’s a 16 gauge Parker BHE and it appears to be all original.

Parker made just 1,034 BH-grade hammerless shotguns. This one was built in 1924 and it was ordered with Extra Fine Damascus barrels – an unusual choice for such a later Parker. At $35,000 it’s not cheap. But judging by what nice, high-grade Parkers are bringing these days, it’s not that expensive, either.

16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Side-by-Side Shotgun – $35,000

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

Grip: Straight Grip
Forend: Checkered
Lop: 14 5/8 ”
Pad thickness: ”
Type of butt: Skeleton Buttplate
Drop @ comb: 1 1/2 ”
Drop @ heel: 2 5/8 ”
Weight: 6 lbs, 12 oz

Gauge: 16 ga
Chamber: 2 9/16 ”
Length: 28 ”
Chokes: IM/M
Rib type: Concave File Cut

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

16 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun, #208485

W & C Scott & Sons 8 Bore Double Hammer Shotgun With Extra 10 Bore Barrels

I used to have a thing for 8 gauges. I wanted badly to find one, like a tick wants to find a deer. I even bought a pile of 8 gauge ammo in anticipation of owning one some day. If I were still interested in 8s, I would be salivating over this one. It looks like a awesome gun, in excellent, original condition. Amoskeag Auction Company has it, and they’re selling it on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Big guns like this were used to pass shoot ducks, geese, and swans, and in the 19th century they were common along the big flyways up and down the Eastern Seaboard. In the 20th century, they fell out of favor and were eventually outlawed by the Federal Government for use on all migratory species. Today, some states allow them for use on other game species (like turkeys), while other states have completely outlawed their use for hunting.

W & C Scott & Sons 8 Bore Double Hammer Shotgun With Extra 10 Bore Barrels

Lot #185: A Tremendous W & C Scott & Sons 8 Bore Double Hammer Shotgun With Extra 10 Bore Barrels: Serial #29486, 8 bore, 36″ damascus barrels choked about .020 in each with bright excellent bores, and 10 bore, 32 3/8″ damascus barrels choked improved cylinder in each having bright very good bores showing very faint frosting. This gun was originally made as an 8 bore and the 10 gauge barrels along with a new forearm were added by the maker at a later date and serial numbered to the gun. The 8 bore barrels exhibit some pattern turning mostly silver with scattered light oxidation spots and an area of pinprick pitting at the breech to the right side of the rib. The 10 bore barrels exhibit 70% of their original brown color displaying an area of pinprick pitting on the top about ten inches from the breech along with some scratches and dings. Both sets of barrels have the maker’s name and London address engraved on the top rib with matching engraved borders around the breech ends and rib extensions.

W & C Scott & Sons 8 Bore Double Hammer Shotgun With Extra 10 Bore Barrels

The frame, locks, and hammers all display various shades of case color, the locks retaining 80% with the balance of the metal surfaces showing a mix of brown, pewter, and spots of color. All of the metal has border engraving with the top lever indicating the maker’s “Patent”. The figured straight grip stock rates very good displaying a few dings and scratches over the original polished oil finish with some staining evident around the butt pad and the grip is finely checkered in a well executed full wrap-around pattern showing some soiling.

The original splinter forearm is attached via a cross pin and rates similarly to the stock with well defined lightly soiled checkering; it has a nicely carved decorative metal tip. The second splinter forearm accompanying the 10 bore barrels is about an inch shorter and has a later lever release. Its condition is similar with good lightly soiled checkering. An old distorted rubber recoil pad is present providing a length of 14 1/2″ and the gun features double rebounding hammers with extractors and weighs 15 lbs. This shotgun was made in 1878 and the extra barrels and forearm were added a short time later as Scott stopped using that type of forearm release in 1892. It remains in remarkable condition considering its age and use. Est: $6000-$8000

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun

It must be rare-Parker season. Here’s another one that’s hard to find. Parker Bros. made just 306 AH grade hammerless shotguns. Of those, I bet very few are late 20 gauges like this one.

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun: 0 Frame, Single trigger, English stock, Splinter forend, Skeleton butt. A rare sweet Parker with a beautiful piece of wood 14 1/4 LOP 0 Frame 26 in ic/m good case color and blue 3 quail on left side pheasents on right side and bottom A Remington Era gun Find another one of these 6lbs 6oz. Price: $49,500

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun

Parker AHE 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun

WEBLEY & SCOTT BEST QUALITY BOXLOCK DOUBLE RIFLE 250-3000

WEBLEY & SCOTT BOXLOCK DOUBLE RIFLE 250-3000: 28″ BARREL WITH A 5 LEAF 1/4 RIB EXPRESS SIGHT AND A RAMP FRONT SIGHT DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP MAKERS CASE A REAL TACK DRIVER EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION 8LBS 6 OZ X 14 1/8 LOP. Price: $24,500

12 gauge Winchester Model 21 Trap Double Barrel Shotgun: 1940s guns, 12 gauge, 2 3/4″ chambers, 30″ barrels, ejectors. Straight-grip stock. Beavertail forend. Bright bore. 14 3/16 LOP to Winchester recoil pad; 1 7/16 DAC; 2 3/16 DAH. Full & Full, 8lbs. Single select trigger. Some wear to metal finish, some dents, dings, and impressions on wood. Price: $8999

12 gauge Winchester Model 21 Trap Double Barrel Shotgun

THIEME & SCHLEGELMILCH NIMROD SIDELOCK DRILLING – 12/12/WIN 30-30

THIEME & SCHLEGELMILCH NIMROD SIDELOCK DRILLING – 12/12/WIN 30-30: Extremely rare Thieme & Schlegelmilch Nimrod Drilling. Best quality drilling made in Suhl, Germany in 1919. Original: claw mounts, claws and Busch scope. Unusual straight grip stock. Sharp engraving and excellent original case color. Barrels are 26 ¾” with shotgun barrels choked full and full. All barrels Nitro Proofed. Shotgun barrels are Excelsior Steel while rifle barrel is Bohler Steel. Rifle barrel in original Winchester  30/30 caliber. Excellent bores. Disc set strikers for shotgun barrels. Top tang safety and rifle engagement with three positions. Gun is tight on face with light use. Stock LOP is 14 ¾” with cast off. Provision for cheek riser (riser not included). Weight of gun is 8 LBS 2 1/8 OZ with scope. Price: $7,500

A.H. FOX A grade SXS 20 GA Double Barrel Shotgun: Serial #200381. 26″ bbls. Chokes: Lt.M (.010) & Lt.M (.010). Double trigger. Round Knob Semi-PG grip, Splinter Forearm. Weight: 5lb, 13oz. Dimensions 1 3/8 x 2 3/8 x 14 1/8 with 1/4 cast off. Original butt plate. Phildelphia gun Price: $3,900

A.H. FOX A grade SXS 20 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun

CHARLES DALY PRUSSIAN SUPERIOR GRADE SxS SHOTGUN DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN

CHARLES DALY DOUBLE BARREL PRUSSIAN SUPERIOR GRADE SxS SHOTGUN: 12 ga. 30″ bbls. Choked full and mod. Damascus steel pattern. A few minor pitting but generally VG bores. Has the desirable crossed pistols motif under bbl indicating it is a Prussian made. Ejectors. Original wood in VG+ condition with nice sharp checkering. Circasian style walnut measuring 14-1/8″ to end of the pad. Receiver retains about 25% case colors. Bbl has about 60-70% . Nice Damascus pattern showing. Very nice all original gun. Crisp mechanical condition. Price: $2,750.

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

Here’s your chance to get a deal on a classic upland gun. This 16 gauge A.H. Fox is coming up on Saturday at Cady Auction Gallery & Appraisal in Cedar Rapids, IA. From what I can see, this side-by-side looks like a nice, original shotgun.

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade SxS Double Barrel Shotgun: Manufactured in 1924. Barrels are 28″. Engraved receiver. Checkered butt stock and forearm. Nickled trigger guard. All numbers match. SN 303657. Condition: Good, bore is bight and shiny.

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

16 gauge A.H. Fox A grade double barrel shotgun

PARKER BHE TRAP VENT RIB 12 GAUGE DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN

PARKER BHE TRAP VENT RIB 12 GAUGE: #207XXX #1 FRAME 32″ VENT RIB FULL AND FULL 2 3/4 SINGLE SELECT TRIGGER  EJECTORS BEAVER TAIL FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH CASE COLORS  8LBS 7 OZ X 2 1/4 X 1 7/8 X 14 1/2. Price: $18,500

Winchester – Model 21 Duck, 12ga., 32″ barrels, Double Triggers: Full/Full choked, 3” chambers, Duck gun, capped pistol grip,  3-point checkering, checkered butt, very rare double triggers, ejectors, splinter forend, highly figured, superb, as new gun with long length of pull. 7lb. 7oz.. 14 3/8” LOP  1 ½” x 2 ¼”. Price: $8,250

Winchester – Model 21 Duck, 12ga., 32″ barrels, Double Triggers:

Sidelock Belgian O/U Double Barrel Shotgun 12ga (pre-war)

Sidelock Belgian O/U Double Barrel Shotgun 12ga (pre-war): Fine Pre-War Self-Opener Sidelock Belgian O/U shotgun built in 1933. The gun is marked ‘SuperAuto’ H. Scherrer Patent. Barrels are marked ‘Fluid Compressed Steel’ with all appropiate proofs of that era including 12-70 for 2 3/4″ chambers. Barrels 27″ with solid rib, chokes Top-.004/Bot- .035, straight grip, 14″ lop to ck. butt, Doub. trig. non-auto safety, auto ejectors, Funeral Model finish with light border engraving. DAC 1 1/2″, DAH 2″, Cast neutral. Metal finish 90%++ with only light edge wear. This is a High Quality Sidelock Pre WWII O/U shotgun. Price: $4750

Westley Richards 12 gauge Side-by-Side Boxlock Shotgun

Westley Richards 12 gauge Side-by-Side Boxlock Shotgun: Factory 2 3/4″ chambers,   s/n T 10993,   heavy 1 1/4 oz. proof. Receiver:   crossbolt,  side clips,  AUTOMATIC EJECTORS,   double triggers,   receiver retains most of original case colors (some light scratching through clear coating on right side that doesn’t cut into case colors),   PROOFED FOR HEAVY LOADS (SEE PHOTOS OF WATER TABLE). Barrels:   28″ length,   BORES EXCELLENT PLUS,   choked Full & Improved Mod.,  swamped hand filed rib,   blue has somewhat thinned over the years (gun has never been reblacked). Stock:   English (straight) style,   splinter forearm,   buttstock has 14 1/4″ LOP over solid pad and spacer (see photos), DAC 1 3/4″,  DAH 2 1/2″,   twin Ivory beads, checkering is excellent on buttstock and forearm. Price: $5495

C. S. Rosson & Co., 12 gauge Side-by-Side, Boxlock Shotgun:

C. S. Rosson & Co., 12 gauge Side-by-Side, Boxlock Shotgun: Model Wildfowl Magnum,   12 GAUGE,   3″ CHAMBERS,   s/n 3223.  Receiver:   double trigger,   double underlocking lugs,   crossbolt,   side clips,   extractors,   not a droplock but a detachable bottom plate to access lock,   retains traces of original case colors,   blued detachable bottom plate. Barrels:   30″ length,   choked Full & Improved Mod.,   EXCELLENT BORES,   swamped and tapered hand filed rib,  nice blue (if they have been reblacked it was a nice job),   3″ CHAMBERS,   3 1/2 TON PROOFED. Stock:  no cracks,    LOP 15″ over solid recoil pad,  DAC 1 1/2″,  DAH 2 1/2″,   nice checkering on buttstock and forearm,  Walnut,   pleasing dark color. Cased in a nice canvas covered hard case. Price $3495

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

Getting a shotgun or rifle to fire has always been tricky, and since the earliest day of firearms, makers have come up with countless ways to make a gun go bang.

At the beginning of the 19th century, most handheld shotguns and rifles used flintlocks to ignite their pcharges. But in 1807, the Reverend Alexander John Forsyth developed the percussion method and changed everything.

By the 1820s, Forsyth’s system had evolved into percussion caps, which were ideal for sporting guns. Simple to use, reliable in almost any weather, and quick to fire, the percussion cap’s perfection marked the end for flintlocks and the way forward to the next generation of firearms – the centerfires.

The firearm you see here is sort of the platypus of shotguns. Part percussion and part flintlock, it looks like it was made to handle whatever shooting situation a hunter might find himself in.

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun: This is a rare and exceptional experimental dual ignition shotgun made by Charles Jones circa 1835 who was the Gunmaker to HRH Prince Albert.  This is a 20 bore muzzle loading gun with an interruption switch to block the platinum lined flintlock touch hole to fire percussion caps. Overall length is 45″ with 28.5″ barrels and LOP 14.5″. The gun has definitive London Black Powder proofs and features a wrist escuthcheon with the initials “CJ”. Possibly an experimental shotgun or a commissioned piece to offer a “belt and braces” approach to the “new” percussion caps and would offer the traveller a solution to travelling overseas where percussion caps might be difficult to acquire. The quality of workmanship is superb. Price: $18,250

Pics Courtesy of Pembroke Fine Arms

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

20g Charles Jones “Flint-Cusssion” SxS shotgun. Image courtesy Pembroke Fine Arms

1965 Holland & Holland Sporting Guns & Rifles Catalog

Value is something I always think about when I’m looking at old guns. Is this Purdey a good value? What about this Parker? Which ones will people want 20 years from now? Which will fall out of favor? To understand stuff like this, I collect old gun catalogs – especially ones with price lists in them.

The catalog you see was an especially nice find for me. It’s a Holland & Holland New & Used Gun Catalog from the Spring of 1965. It’s full of ton of useful info: prices, lots of different guns from different makers, etc. More importantly, because this catalog was shipped to customers in the UK and the US there’s a key paragraph inside which unlocks the British £ to US $ conversion mystery:

“As an indication of your approximate total delivered costs including duty you may multiply the price of the weapon in £’s in London by 3.5. For example, a gun offered at £100 will cost you about $350, all charges and duties paid”

So what did a brand new, 12 gauge sidelock Holland & Holland Royal cost in 1965? £650 pounds, or $2,275 (that’s without a case or accessories). A 12 gauge H&H Northwoods boxlock was £200 or $700. New H&H Rifles were more expensive. A .470 Royal cost £985 ($3,447.50) with case and tools. It punished you with more than just recoil.

1965 Holland & Holland Sporting Guns & Rifles Catalog

As for used guns, decent 12 gauge Royals were £375 – £425. A 12 gauge Purdey with new barrels by the maker was £500. The most expensive used guns are both O/Us: an early and super rare 12g H&H (#36000) and a 12g Woodward. Both are £950.

As for bargains, I spotted two. One was a cased Edwinson Green 12g Best-quality sidelock for £285. I’ve seen a few of these and they are fabulous – equal to a London Best. Then there’s a 16g Szulovsky sidelock for just £130. I’ve never seen or heard of a Szulovsky, but I bet it was a very fine gun.

To make sense of the prices, here’s are some figures from 1965: a basic Rolex Submariner was around $230, a Corvette Fastback Coupe was $3947 from the factory , the typical American home sold for $19,900, and the median American family income was $6,900. A new Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was £6,557.

Today, a brand new 12 gauge Holland & Holland SxS Royal costs $118,000. A stainless Rolex Sub runs $8,000, a new 2014 Corvette Stingray costs $54,950, the typical American house sells for around $213,000, and the median family income is $51,000. And a new Rolls Royce Wraith is $379,000.

And what about that H&H Royal from the mid 1965? In excellent original condition, here’s about it’s worth today:

HOLLAND & HOLLAND (A&F) MODEL SIDELOCK SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN

28 gauge Ruger Red Label Over Under Shotgun

Yesterday I mentioned how I’m always thinking about the value of firearms – what were they worth in the past, what will they be worth in future. This 28 gauge Ruger is one shotgun I consider to be an outstanding value, and I bet it will hold its value into the future.

Most of the Ruger 28s I see have 26″ barrels. The extra two inches on the ends of this one make it harder to find and more desirable.

Ruger Red Label 28 gauge Over/Under Shotgun: In good used condition. 28″ barrels come with 7 chokes. There are some light handling marks from use. Slight blue wear at the muzzle. LOP is 14 5/8″ to a thin pad. Please see pictures for accurate condition and description. See my other items for additional Ruger shotgun. Sale price includes shipping in the cont. US. Price: $1,595.

28 gauge Ruger Red Label Over Under Shotgun

WESTLEY RICHARDS OVUNDO BEST QUALITY O/U 20 GAUGE

WESTLEY RICHARDS OVUNDO BEST QUALITY O/U 20 GAUGE:  28″ SOLID RIB 2 1/2″CHAMBERS  004 AND 009 SINGLE SELECTIVE TRIGGER EJECTORS FIELD FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT WITH HEEL AND TOE PLATES EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH LIGHT HANDLING MARKS 5LBS 9 OZ X 2 X 1 1/2 X 14. Price: $33,500

Beautiful Belgium Browning Diana Superlight 12 gauge: 26 1/2″ bbl, 2 3/4″ chambers, im/m, 14 1/4″ LOP, 1976 gun. 100% original, excellent condition, barely fired. M. Dodson engraved, striking wood. There were only a handful of these beautiful Diana superlights made, it is difficult to find one without pad. Trades considered.
Price: $11,750

Beautiful Belgium Browning Diana Superlight 12 gauge

Winchester Model 21, DUCK, Factory 2 BBL Set

Winchester Model 21, DUCK, Factory 2 BBL Set: Beautiful, Original Condition, Winchester Model 21 DUCK,.  Factory 2 Barrel Set. Matches Cody letter to the “T”. 32″ Full/Full, 30″ Mod/Imp Mod (for those incomers). English, Beavertail, Winchester Factory Pad as per letter. 97+% wood, 98+% bluing, flaking floorplate. Barrels ring like churchbells, Perfect bores, no chips splits cracks of rust. Please note forearm, each side, missing dime sized semicircle above checkered boarder, each side??? Price: $8,999

Parker DHE, 20 Gauge California Duck Gun: 32″ barrels, XFull / XFull. Interesting California provenance, Hanford Duck Club. Matches Parker letter with the exception of a period Silvers pad. This was a wealthy gentlemans Waterfoul hunter, certainly not a museum piece but enough original condition to be left alone. No rust, splits, chips or cracks.  Moderately pitted barrels. .030 minimum barrel wall thickness. This is an extremely stout, long range subgauge shooter.  1 of 128 so configured. 1 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 13 3/4 .  Unstruck barrel weight 3/13. Price: $8,999

Parker DHE, 20 Gauge, Double Barrel, California Duck Gun

F W Kessler Side-by-Side 24 Gauge Shotgun

F W Kessler Side-by-Side 24 Gauge Shotgun — Excellent Condition: Perfect for quail and woodcock or for scooping up some shooting silver at the Vintage Cup or Southern Side-by-Side this rare and beautiful Kessler 24 gauge is a wand. Fiocchi 24 gauge ammo is available and so are reloading components. A little smaller than 20 gauge but with more punch than a 28 this handsome double is a great shooter that you will be proud to own. *** Kessler is a maker of high quality firearms still in business today in Germany. This handsome double trigger boxlock is covered with dense scroll engraving and has a nice patina with vestiges of its original case coloring. The side clips are nicely engraved and add to the sturdiness of the gun as does the Kersten cross-bolt. Gold cocking indicators protrude through the top strap where they are clearly visible to the shooter. Overall weight is 5lb 10oz. *** The 27” non-ejector barrels are topped by a raised solid rib that has been hand cross-hatched. They appear to have been professionally reblued. Bore dimensions for the right barrel are 0.588 bore diameter with a constriction of 0.019 for Improved Modified choke. The left barrel has a bore diameter of 0.589 with a constriction of 0.027 for Full choke. *** It is stocked in a beautiful piece of walnut with straight grip and splinter forearm. The forearm has an ebony tip. The stock has been refinished and the checkering is crisp. Stock dimensions are 14-1/4” over a thin plastic buttplate by 1-3/8” by 2-3/8”. Slightly cast off for the right hand shooter.  Price: $4,795

Aya Custom 10ga 32bls 3.5 chamber 1968 mfg 98+%: 32 inch barrels, full and full, pistol grip with cap,EJECTORS, 14 3/4 lop,BEAVERTAIL DOUBLE TRIGGERS EJECTORS, raised solid rib, Butt plate with AYA logo, 3.5 inch CHAMBERS, mfg in 1968 CUSTOM ORDERED by Amarillo west texas oil man to shoot geese on the playas,which he did once and then put the gun away for the next 46 years. this shotgun is special and shows it and is like new. Price: $2,295

Aya Custom 10ga 32bls 3.5 chamber 1968 mfg 98+%

J. Woodward & Sons, English “Best Gun”, 20 gauge, 28 inch barrels

No — that’s not a typo, and the price shown is not missing a zero. Here’s is a 20 gauge James Woodward & Son sidelock side-by-side shotgun for just $3,000. But of course there’s a catch: this double barrel is missing its forend.

This gun was made around 1896. For some reason, it looks like it was proofed for nitro loads a few years later. James Woodward was in business from 1874 to 1948. In all, they made around 4500 or so guns — far fewer than Boss, Purdey, or Holland & Holland. Twenty-gauge, best-quality side-by-side Woodwards are rare. The last one I saw sold for a around $40,000, and a decent one could easily bring $50,000+ today.

J. Woodward & Sons, English “Best Gun”, 20 gauge, 28 inch barrels

Three thousand dollars isn’t a bad price for this one. Building a new forend will be expensive, but it is doable — especially if the barrels are sound and the rest of the gun is in good shape. But because the seller has listed the gun “as is,” you won’t know if restoring it is an option until after you own you own the gun. And if the barrels are bad, you’ll have spent $3000 on a paperweight, some firewood, and a fancy stake for a tomato plant.

So are you feeling lucky?

J. Woodward & Sons, English “Best Gun”, 20 gauge, 28 inch barrels: Being sold as a “parts gun” as it is missing a complete forend. Without the forend, it will not cock. Butt stock has been shortened and added to. Bore is shiny without evident pits. Right barrel on underside has small ding/dent, felt when running hand up and down. No evident pits on metal. Purdey and other English gun makers have been contacted for an appraisal as to restoring gun to shooting condition. Estimates have been as high as $31K. U.S gunmakers contacted have not been willing to undertake project. Gun closes tightly and is not loose in any part. Receiver metal has light patina. C&R/FFL needed. No sale to CA. Ask any and all questions. More photos can be asked for. Seller has given up hope of restoring as restoration cost may exceed value of finished gun.

J. Woodward & Sons, English “Best Gun”, 20 gauge, 28 inch barrels

12 Ga. MERKEL FRERES SUHL Double Barrel Over Under Shotguns

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a real appreciation for German and European O/U shotguns. Continental gunmakers built some of the first breechloading, over-under shotguns. Gebruder Merkel was making O/Us as early as 1903, and the company continues to make them to this day.

The Merkel O/U you see here looks like it was made around 1952 or so. It’s a 200E, built on Blitz-style action  with double Kersten bolts. Overall, it’s a very solid gun and extremely well made. It’s on Gunbroker now and the listing ends on Sunday, 4/20 @ 8:56:14 PM ET.

12 Ga. MERKEL FRERES SUHL Double Barrel Over Under Shotguns: Straight grip. It has working cocking indicators, double triggers and auto ejectors. It has 28″ barrels the chokes are .685 on top barrel and .700 on the bottom, and the length of pull on front trigger is 14 5/8″ and 13 5/8′ to the back trigger. The weight is about 7 pounds + -. The bluing is very nice, and it still retains some of the case color. The wood is solid with no visible signs of cracking. There are some light marks on the wood work which can be seen in the photos. The bores are very bright and shiny.

12 Ga. MERKEL FRERES SUHL Double Barrel Over Under Shotguns

12 Ga. MERKEL FRERES SUHL Double Barrel Over Under Shotguns

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U

Beretta has been in the gun biz for a long time, and since they introduced their first O/Us around 1935, they’ve refining their designs and developing new over unders.

Beretta introduced ASEs in 1949. A boxlock version of their SOs, ASEs were introudced in the 1960s as lightweight hunting guns. They’re made with SO-type actions and feature the SO’s Kersten-style top bolts and removable bbl cheek pieces.

ASEs came in 12g and 20g, there were built in 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). T0day, the ASEs are common, but top-of-the-line models like the EELL you see here are scarce.

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U: Circa pre-1964, 20 bore, 2 3/4″ chambers, 26″ barrels with a hand file cut solid rib and choked .015 Mod. and .025 Full, 14 3/4″ LOP over a 7/8″ leather covered pad, 1 7/16″ DAC, 2 5/16″ DAH, 1/8″ cast off, 5 lbs. 11 oz., ejectors, single gold trigger, straight grip, coin finished receiver with very fine hand engraving of large and bold stylized acanthus scroll with foliate and floral work signed by B. Consoli, bottom of action also engraved “P. Beretta, Gardone” and “Brevettato”, nicely figured European walnut, excellent condition with some handling marks.  These ASE guns are very scarce and were very limited.  20 bores are even more scarce. Price: $14,995

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U

Beretta’s BL over-unders were built from the late ’60 into the ’70s. Like ASEs, these O/Us are boxlock-style guns. With the BLs, Beretta introduced the dual locking bolts used on many of the O/U’s the make today. The Garcia Sporting Arms Corporation Beretta BLs and they offered them in four grades: BL-1, BL-3, BL-4 & BL-5. In 1970, the BL-4 below cost $375. At the same time, sidelock Beretta SO-3s started at $1200.

This one is on Gunbroker.com now, and the listing ends Monday, 4/21/2014, @ 4:26:58 PM ET.

Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun: This shotgun has 30 inch vent rib fixed choke barrels, twin beads, an engraved receiver, a tang mounted safety/barrel selector, selective ejectors, and a very nice checkered hardwood stock with a black grip cap and an attached recoil pad. It is in very good 90% condition with a little bit of freckling on the barrels and some handling marks on the stock. The bore are in mirror bright condition and the action is very tight. Choked full over modified. 14.25 inch length of pull. 1.5 inch drop at the comb, 2.5 inch drop at the heel. 3 inch chamber. Made in 1971.

Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun

Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun

20 gauge CE grade A.H. Fox Shotgun

Nice smallbore A.H. Fox shotguns are tough to find, especially twenty-gauge CEs with straight grips. The one you see here looks like a decent example. But there are a few things about that have me scratching my head.

According to the seller, the stock and metal finishes on the gun are original. I’ve looked at the pics several times, and to me, the bbls and triggerguard look too blue and the checkering looks too sharp  — especially for a gun with so little original color-case hardening. Like I said, a real head scratcher……

20 gauge A.H. Fox CE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Price: $17,500

Shotgun type: SxS

20 gauge CE grade A.H. Fox Shotgun

Action: Boxlock
Ejectors: Yes
Trigger: Double
Grip: Straight Grip
Forend: Checkered
Lop: 13 5/8 ”
Drop @ comb: 1 9/16 ”
Drop @ heel: 2 3/8 ”
Cast amount: 0 ”
Weight: 5 lbs, 12 oz

20 gauge CE grade A.H. Fox Shotgun

Finish: Brushed
Overall condition: Very Good
Stock condition: Very Good
Metal condition: Very Good
Stock: Original finish
Metal: Original finish
Type of Case: none

Barrel info:
Gauge: 20 ga
Chamber: 2 3/4 ”
Length: 26 ”
Chokes: Full Mod

BREDA- 1952 ITALIAN 12 SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN

Here’s a side-by-side that looks like a good deal. It’s a BREDA — an Italian maker I know nothing about — and it has everything you would expect to find on a top-quality double, except for the  high price.

A lot of Italian gunmakers have come and gone since World War II. It looks this BREDA is one of them. There is an Italian maker named Breda Meccanica Brescia. I think that’s a different company, though.

BREDA- 1952 ITALIAN 12 SIDELOCK EJECT- 28″ CHOPPER LUMP Bbls: #229, Breda – Roma: A 12 Bore Sidelock Ejector Bar Action SxS Game Gun. Made in 1952 with 26 3/4″ Ejector Chopper Lump Acciaio Supernitor Barrels with a hidden rib extension third bite with a concave flat game rib at .733 .020 & .041″ (Mod. & Full), 1.350 KG weight barrels, Original 2 3/4″ chambers, Wall thickness on the right barrel at .033″ and .029″ on the left, Bushed strikers, Double triggers with the front articulated, Splinter forend, Straight hand stock at 14 5/8 x 1 5/16 x 2″ over a full face checkered butt, Slight cast-off for the right hand, 7 lbs. 1 oz., No engraving coverage has a soft coin finished frame, This piece remains original from muzzle to butt, The original barrel blue at 96%.

BREDA- 1952 ITALIAN 12 SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN

The coin finish receiver at 94% but has areas of surface tarnish but no pitting, The original stock finish at 88% with handling marks only, The checkering at 95%, The bores are excellent plus, It is smack on the face, The barrels ring with a nice chime. This is a doggone nice Quality 1952 Italian sidelock that represents very high value for the price. It has excellent balance. JJ in our shop stripped and cleaned it and the locks inside represent best gun quality. This is a lot of gun for the money. ///////////////////////// Breda Meccanica Brescia has been in business over 7 decades. Most people in the U. S. relate to them from their production of light hunting semi-automatic game guns. Price: $3,400

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip

Lefever is one my favorite American shotgun makers. While their lower-grade doubles are too plain for me, the E-grades and up are some of the most beautiful side-by-sides this country has ever built.

Check out this EE grade to see what I mean. And if you know where I can find a nice 16 gauge E grade Lefever, please let me know. I’ve been looking for one for years.

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip:  Price: $3,299.99

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip

12 gauge Lefever EE grade Double Barrel Shotgun. Straight Grip

Browning BSS NIB 20ga 1st year SN 125 mfg 1972

Say you bought a brand new 20 gauge Browning BSS in 1972 and then never used it. Instead, you left it in its original packaging, and stored it away under your bed for the next 42 years. What do you think it would be worth?

Here’s a chance to find out. This 20 gauge BSS is on Gunbroker now, and there’s no reserve on it. From what I can see, the gun looks pretty much brand new. This listing end Sunday, 5/4 @ 10:45:18 PM ET. So it you like what you see, get on it now.

Browning BSS NIB 20 gauge, 26″ bbls, SN 125, Mfg 1972: Top-quality new old stock 1st year BSS 20ga. 20ga serialization began at 1001 in 1972, and this gun is numbered 1125. Gun is absolutely “new” and could not be improved upon. Both bores were still full of dried grease when I found it, most of which came out when I pushed a brush and patch through to verify condition. Unfired post-factory. From a long-time collection containing numerous excellent quality and condition guns

Browning BSS NIB 20ga 1st year SN 125 mfg 1972

Browning BSS NIB 20ga 1st year SN 125 mfg 1972

CSMC INVERNESS 20GA 28″ OVER UNDER SHOTGUN

If you want an 20 gauge CSMC Inverness O/U but you don’t want to wait for it, here’s you chance to get a deal. This one popped up on Gunsinternational.com today, and it sounds like the owner is looking to sell it right away. You can read more about CSMC’s Inverness shotguns in this post.

Here’s all the info on this one from the seller:

CSMC INVERNESS 20GA 28″ OVER UNDER SHOTGUN…NEED TO SELL: UP FOR SALE IS A CSMC INVERNESS WITH 28″ BARREL IN 20GA. THIS SHOTGUN IS IN REALLY NICE SHAPE. THE END OF THE BOTTOM BARREL COULD BE REBLUED BUT ITS NOT ANY HUGE PROBLEM. I AM HAVING SOME FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND NEED TO SELL ASAP. COMES WITH ORIGINAL BOX AND FIVE CHOKES WILL SELL FOR $3450 O.B.O………………… I WONT ACCEPT ANY LOW BALL OFFERS. IF IT DOESN’T SELL BY WEDNESDAY, I’M JUST GONNA PAWN IT…….. THIS SHOULD SELL IMMEDIATELY AT THIS PRICE. Price: $3450 O.B.O

CSMC INVERNESS 20GA 28″ OVER UNDER SHOTGUN

CSMC INVERNESS 20GA 28″ OVER UNDER SHOTGUN

Browning, SxS Shotgun, Model B-SS Sidelock, 12 gauge, s/n 01092PX918

The gunmaker John Moses Browning is famous for many of his inventions: from the M1911 pistol and the Browning .50 caliber machine gun to shotguns like the Auto-5 and Superposed. Unfortunately, he never created a double with horizontal barrels. Those came forty-five years after Mr Browning’s death when his company introduced their BSS line of side-by-sides.

Browning introduced the BSS in 1971 and made them through 1987. Most were boxlocks, But Browning also made a number of sidelock BSSs. These Holland & Holland pattern shotguns were made from 1983-1987, and even though they weren’t big sellers, they were well made, and they’ve inspired a following among some very knowledgeable people like gunsmith James Flynn (Read this article to find out why he like them).

This sidelock BSS caught my eye because it has 28″ barrels (most have 26″ tubes). If you’re looking for a reliable double at a good price, you should check it out.

Browning, SxS Shotgun, Model B-SS Sidelock, 12 gauge,  s/n 01092PX918:  FULL SIDELOCK, double triggers, floral and scroll hand engraved, satin grey finish. DESIRABLE 28″ bbls, CHOPPER LUMPED, double underlocking lugs, AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, choked Modified & Full. English-style straight select Walnut stock, splinter forearm, CHECKERED BUTT, nicely checkered, DAC 1 1/2″, DAH 2 1/4″, slightly cast off for a right hand shooter. 100% original metal and wood, metal retains 100% bright blue, receiver retains perfect satin grey finish,   wood is 98-99% exhibiting only a couple of storage marks on one side of buttstock. Price: $4995

Browning, SxS Shotgun, Model B-SS Sidelock, 12 gauge, s/n 01092PX918

Winchester-Parker Reproduction 28ga DHE Grade Two-Barrel Set Side-by-Side Shotgun, #28-1217:

Here’s an early heads up on this nice 28 gauge Parker Repro SXS that’s coming up at the end of the month.

In 1984, America’s most famous double-barrel shotguns was reborn as the Parker Reproduction by Winchester. Built in Japan until 1989, these side-by-sides were offered for sale until around 1997. Since then, they’ve gained a following and their prices have risen steadily.

Twenty-eight gauge DHE Parker Repros are easy to hard to find (4,203 DHE were made), but almost all of them have single triggers and/or 26″ barrels. This two-barrel set is unique because it comes with both 26″ and 28″ tubes and it’s a double triggered gun. The condition is nice, too. From what I can see, it’s pretty much brand new.

It’s coming up Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Carol Watson’s Orange Coast auctions.

Winchester-Parker Reproduction 28ga DHE Grade Two-Barrel Set Side-by-Side Shotgun, #28-1217: 26” game rib blue barrels choked Imp./Mod.; and 28” game rib blue matte barrels choked Full/Mod.; roll-engraved game scene case-hardened boxlock frame, checkered straight-grip fancy walnut stock with engraved steel skeleton buttplate and splinter forend. All features are standard to this model, including auto safety, auto ejectors, single brass bead front sight, and double triggers. Condition is excellent, appearing new and unfired. Bottom of frame where it contacts interior of case shows light thinning. In original case, with Parker marked snap caps, oiler, keys to case, and canvas cover. Leather case, beneath canvas cover, with minor scuffs from stock. Length of pull: 14-1/4”. Est.: $4,000-$6,000.

Winchester-Parker Reproduction 28ga DHE Grade Two-Barrel Set Side-by-Side Shotgun, #28-1217:

Winchester-Parker Reproduction 28ga DHE Grade Two-Barrel Set Side-by-Side Shotgun, #28-1217: