doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com JAMES BURROWS muzzle loader sxs

Anyone have any information on this maker? I have a chance to buy a sxs 12ga muzzle loader with James Burrows written on the locks and on the rib.

Burrows[Burrow]James. 26 Friargate ,Preston Lancashire 1817-1822. same address 1833-1841 but without the "s". Moved to 116 Fishergate 1854-1870. Also listed as a crossbow maker.
Boothroyd states that the business continued at 117 Fishergate [Likely a renumbering of the property] until 1932,but using the name, James Burrow Ltd;

Thank you Roy for the information. Anyone out there that owns one of Burrows guns?

I have pictures of a 12G Burrow top lever hammer gun. My late friend Geoffrey Boothroyd described this example as "Something Special", the equal of any best London Gun. Burrow,s clientele would have included the wealthy industrialists that lived in cotton towns of Lancashire.James Burrow 2nd; was mayor of Preston On three occassions.Obviously a man well respected within the trade and community.
The gun pictured is without doubt, Burrow,s highest grade gun,I have seen others but their detail has faded from memory.
I plan to attend the Woodstock, Ontario, gun show May 17/09 and would be pleased to give you my assessment of the Burrows muzzle loader.

I have seen a few "middle of the road" boxlock guns with Burrow's name on them. They are known, but still relatively rare. I would assume he supplied any grade of gun his client was willing to pay for. Therefore, we could expect to see the usual range of original quality grades from the Brit gun trade.

If I get this gun bought i will try and post some pictures.

Here are some pics. JAMES BURROW MAKER 116 FISHERGATE PRESTON
is written on the rib. the gun needs a good cleaning. The engraving is finely detailed. Any idea of the value?
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0220.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0221.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0222.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0223.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0224.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0225.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0226.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0227.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP0228.jpg

Thanks for posting the pictures.Unfortunately we cannot see if the gun has a ramrod! If the gun dose not have fittings for a ramrod it is likely a live pigeon gun.The gun is circa 1840-50.It is mid-range in quality; typical of many makers of the period. It has not been seriously abused there are some signs of neglect[ie Corrosion of the hammers and breech, damaged screw slots and marks on the barrel exterior]. In my experience, this typical of this kind of find.We would need to see the proof marks[ie; could be of Birmingham origin?], measure bore size, wall thickness and view condition of the barrel interior in order to determine whether or not it is shootable. At this stage I would classify as a collectors gun,worthy of consideration for restoration.I would expect to pay $4-600 for agun in this condition.

Thanks Roy My pics are not that good. I took them outside and it started to rain so I had to hurry. There is a ramrod that is attached to the barrels, the hammers are in very good shape not burnt up like some that i have seen. The gun looks better in person. For proof marks it has the London black powder mark that looks like a crown over a blended CP and it has the London veiw mark of crown over V also has J.T. stamped on the barrels.

Nathan: Your gun looks to be a bit better than "Middle of the road" in quality. The engraving is quite nice and the platinum blow-out plugs normally are used only on high quality percussion guns. I have a Westley Richards that looks to be of similar quality.

Best Regards, George