doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com English doubles ?'s

I am started down the slippery slope that starts with an interest in English doubles and if I know myself, won't end till I have a few to call my own.

My first question is can someone recommend a good book on the English doubles that might reference some of the lesser known makers? I am familiar with the Purdy's, Rigby's, W. J. Jeffries, Westley Richards and W.C Scotts but have noticed several other makers offered at reasonable prices, Bates, Army Navy, Ludlow, C. Hall, E.C Green, Osborn and Harper to name a few. I am curious how some of them stack up against the more well known builders of English doubles and would love to find a few books that might help me build some knowledge in that respect.

My second question is about choking of English shotguns. I see quite often that guns are choked cylinder and full and find that interesting. I am sure there must be a good reason for such a disparity in chokes but can only guess at this point as to the reason.

Thanks in advance for any information and advice.

Marty

Hi, MW. Here comes some "grease" for the slope. First book - Diggory Hadoke's book on vintage guns. If it doesn't set the hook, you are bullet proof. Seriously, will answer many/most of your questions.

Second, the Brit gun trade was a constantly changing "mish-mash" of gunmakers, gun vendors, gunmaker vendors, in-workers (in a name shop), out-workers (an independent shop to the trade), shooting grounds keepers, shooting instructors, gun resellers, and assorted advisors. The name on the gun has Brand Value (BV), the gun was originally made to a Original Quality grade (OQ), and it will be in some Current Condition level (CC). BV can imply OQ, but is better kept seperate. That is to say, any combination of OQ and CC can occur for any BV level. The name on the gun only tells you part of how the market will value that individual gun. It is usual, and interesting, to get wrapped up in brand names. It is, economically, more productive to learn to recognize quality grdes and condition levels.

Welcome to the slope!!

DDA

Two other books that touch on Gunmakers are those by the late Geoffrey Boothroyd; The Shotgun History and Development, and Shotguns and Gunsmith the Vintage Years. Both should give you a start. Lagopus.....

For some early-on DEEP reading try: "THE GUN AND IT'S DEVELOPMENT" by W.W. Greener

Best Regards, George

Hello Marty,

First its PurdEy no Purdy. Sorry, I am a stickler for spelling.

Your second question is a very pertinent one and is answered in a very clear and
documented way by G.T Garwood (AKA Gough Thomas) in one of his very interesting
books. Unfortunately I don't remember which, but surely someone will.

Best,

JC

You're on the right trail, Marty. It's so satisfying, I'm a tad envious of your hunt. Early on I bought a plain-jane Army and Navy boxlock. It's provenance is worth more to me than the "big" guns.

'Sidelocks and Boxlocks. The Classic British Shotguns' by Geoffrey Boothroyd is another good book I found useful. Good luck with what can turn into an addiction and something that can be rather hard on the pocket book!

Thanks fellows for all the replies and JayCee you are right. I wrote that after coming off a 12 hour night shift. I should wait till I've had some sleep before I post. I am usually much better at checking my spelling. I will start book shopping.

I have long been interested in doubles, mostly American, but after handling a few English doubles, find I am growing more and more enamored of them. I buy guns I am going to use and can see spending much enjoyable time with a nice little 16 or 12 bore, both afield and on the skeet and sporting clays range.

I have been reloading for shotguns for 35 years, including loading for my Ithaca Lewis 2 7/8" 10 gauge, and look forward to loading some 2 1/2" 16 and 12. It's always rewarding to put fine old guns back to the work for which they were intended.

I am still curious about the choking on many of the English doubles. It seems many are choked cylinder on one side and full on the other. I suppose I can see the benefit of two such different chokes in the same gun to cover the different distance at which shots might be presented. This promises to be an interesting endeavor.

Marty

the open/full choking is excellent over walked up birds. I have come to really like this set up on wild roosters flushed by my springers.

As King Brown says, "you're on the right trail, Marty".

If you're anything like me that trail will never end.

Of all the myriad books on the subject, you should eventually get every one that has been mentioned.

BUT, right now, here in the 21st century, you simply MUST start with VINTAGE GUNS FOR THE MODERN SHOT by Diggory Hadoke.

It is without a doubt THE primer to help get you started. And believe me, you'll still find yourself referencing the book later on down the road.

Above all else, enjoy the ride! They're one of the best material objects you can throw money at.

Welcome - Marc