doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Webley & Scott SxS imported by Abercrombie & Fitch

Hi all,

I don't know much about English shotguns, but I handled a W&S SxS 20ga marked Abercrombie & Fitch, and it felt pretty good in my hands. I am thinking this gun has some potential as a lightweight upland gun.

Can anyone give me a primer on the Webley & Scott SxSs imported by Abercrombie & Fitch? Range of values for good shooters with tight actions and very few handling marks?

TIA

--shinbone

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post159195


See this thread; nice guns...Geo

Geo - Thanks for the link to the thread. It sounds like you got a great deal on your W&S 16ga. Have you been happy with the gun?

I am primarily interested in figuring out the general reptutation of the Abercrombie & Fitch W&S guns. Are they good guns and are they worth owning today as an upland hunting gun (compared to what else is availabe in their price range)?

Also, what is the price range for a good shooter with a tight action and no major problems beyond the user marks typical of a used and well-cared for 50-odd year-old gun? I see typical prices ranging from about $2000 to $5500. Why the big price range? Are there certain models to avoid, etc.?

Any info is much appreciated.

--shinbone

Hi Shinebone, W&S guns are very good quality guns in almost all aspects. I have never heard of a bad one. The fact that W&S made actions for several well known, famous makers, both in London and Birmingham speaks volumns for the quality of work they did.

As to the A&F guns, they are just as good as all the other W&S guns. It is very hard to go wrong with one. I have a Model 500, Grade 2 in 16ga. It is a wonderful upland gun. It weighs in at 5-14 and handles like a dream.

The one gun W&S did make that I'd avoid is the "Texan". This gun was made for the American market with PG, BTFE and get this.....an engraving of a Long Horn Steer on the action plate. Not that the quality is bad, just the looks of the thing.

Price range that you mentioned is about right. As in all English guns, some have been rode hard and put away wet and others as pure gems. Judge the gun comes into play here. Judge each on on it's own merits.

If you get a good condition W&S you won't be disappointed. They are very good guns!!!

Good luck and all the best!

Greg

I have been very happy with the 16ga I recently acquired. My research on value would indicate a reasonable 'value' of about $2,500 for a 12ga in good shape. I'd think a 20ga would bring the usual small bore premium.

The A&F guns were regular Webley&Scott ejector 700's with "Abercrombie & Fitch, Agents" engraved on the top-rib and equipped with 2 3/4" chambers and saami-spec proof level for the American market. They carry a separate 'model number 704E' on the A&F books.

If you do end up purchasing the gun, do yourself the favor of availing the provenance service Griffin&Howe (a sucessor to Abercrombie&Fitch) provides through the efforts of our own member Bob Beach. For $50 he'll send you a very nice certificate showing the original spec's on the gun along with when it was inventoried by the Company and to whom it was originally sold. Bob went to the extra effort for me of applying 'Sherlockian' deduction to determine the original buyer and researching his life history...not sure this is part of the regular service, but Bob certainly made a satisfied customer of me for his Company. I'm not sure what Bob's position is with Griffin&Howe, but judging by his service on my behalf, I'd guess he's either an extraordinary employee on his way to the top, or he already owns the Company...Geo

Shinbone:
I echo the above. A good friend of mine has Purdey's, Holand & Holland, Boss and Powell among others. When he grouse hunts he frequently takes his W&S 20. I have been trying to get it from him for years. I tried to find a 20 with 28" barrels in mint condition and the only one I ran across was $6,600. The Gun Vault on Fox Hill has a mint 20 with 27.5" barrels W&S cased from A&F and I think the price tag is $6,000. I thought both of those prices steep even for a mint gun and they turned down my offer of $5,000 and I thought that was generous.

I see them in 12 bore in what appears to be decent condition for $3,000 to $3,500 or so. You will be more than happy with one of their guns. Many times the 12's are about 6.5+ lbs and the 20's are usually 5.75 lbs.

Chicago Mike

Even here in England the W & S 700'S in 20 will go for just about double what a 12 will fetch in the same condition. The ones made specifically for the American market was named the Model 720 in 20 bore and may have a beavertail style forend. If it is one of these guns the serial number will run from 720000 to 720229. Lagopus.....

I've read of W&S as a maker of Army and Navy shotguns---you know, "of the A&N shotguns, some were made by the better Birmingham companies" sort of thing. Is it accurate to say so, please?

There is an almost as new 12 bore , semi pistolgrip, on Hill Rod and Gun's site. I shoot a somewhat used one quite a bit and enjoy it very much.

Not to detract from this thread. Here is a W&S 10ga gun with Chicago gunmaker, Joseph Bulter's name on it and using a Purdey thumb opener. Joseph Butler, born in England, had been in business with James Golcher, also born in England, in Philadelphia. Butler moved to Chicago about the same time that William Golcher moved to St. Paul.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conten...oryId=SEARCH_gl

Cabela's also has W&S 720 20ga.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conten...oryId=SEARCH_gl

Pete