doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The pleasures of being second best

"Second-Best," is good enough in most things we do.
Just ask the guy who's fourth or fifth!

What the hell is wrong with you Lowell?

There is a great deal of difference in the quality and the variety of action types made by Birmingham, provincialmakers and less famous Londoners.

However, once we get into the 20th century a good deal more homogeneity crept-in and Anson & Deeley boxlocks and Rogers' action sidelocks proliferated (among Birmingham makers like Webley, provncial ones like Horsley and Armstrong and even London makers - I have seen a 28-bore sidelock by Robertson of Boss built on a Rogers sidelock action.

Finish, woodwork and furniture varied a good deal and affected the eventual price of the weapon and its desirability today.

Second quality guns are often a good idea - many are built as well as 'best' guns but lack the full-coverage engraving and pretty wood.

Could it be typing under the influence.

I concur with the British chap, if indeed his location is London, England. But according to sources, since the formation fo the "Worshipful Company of Gunmakers"(later Gunmakers Company), the London makers considered themselves as the chosen ones. As if the heavens opened up and a light illuminated their shops. After the Birmingham proofhouse was established, the "Gunmakers Company" looked down their noses at the arms that were crafted in Birmingham. As far as quality, there's not a better double than a Charles Daly Lindner A&D boxlock and I would not consider it second rate. I wouldn't begin to say that a boxlock is superior to a sidelock or vice versa. But they are truly different beasts with different innate problems. If you are looking for quality here in the U.S. of A., look at Galazan's fine products from the RBL to the top of the line double.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Gentlemen the upshot is, if the London made 1st tier Sle gun is not correct in all the important original ways, there are better ideas to be had.
Is a wealthy man's gun, still a wealthy man's gun if not all there?
Move to the next level of London made sidelocks, where you might find them in all one piece and for a little less cash also.
The all original high condition Henry Atkin gun of today, is a better gun than say, a cobbler's Purdey.

The "Holy Grail" is the "Holy Trinity" of London. I mean, Holland & Holland and Purdey are household names. Why do you suppose I'm looking at 20K gun for the blind this fall. The truth is it's to leap over Winchester, Beretta,....... boys.
S..., they don't know what Greener, Tolley, Cashmore, Bland,.....are. If I took one of those in they woud say "we didn't know they made shotguns in Alabama USA"!

With that, I know Purdey makes clothing and they very well may make shoes that can be acquired.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

One of many antidotes to insular smack!!

What 'tis it old man Rabbit!
I see all the furred animals and feathered birds of the green meadows tales.