doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com JP Clabrough SxS Damascus Information

You called my cell number 1 705-987-3635?

https://ibb.co/album/ZddxzR

Here is the link to the Photo Album of my JP Clabrough. I'm looking for more information on the gun - all feedback is welcome!

The seller indicated that the Earl of Strathmore (Scotland) ordered this gun and gave it to one of his descendants, a game warden.

You've likely found that Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, was the father of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the future Queen Mother. Here with her father, and her eldest brother, Patrick. Claude lived 1855 - 1944 so it may have been his gun. The history is fun but without provenance adds nothing to the value of the gun.



Earl and Countess of Strathmore with the Duke of York (after 1932 King George VI) and their daughter, Elizabeth c. 1922



The proof marks date to 1875 - 1887. Both bore and muzzle are 12, but it is marked as CHOKE (usually NOT FOR BALL). It's possible the bore could be up to .750" (11 is .751) with muzzle .729". Fractions were not used until post-1887.
It looks to be a utility grade gun but has better 3 iron crolle damascus. 3 sets of initials on the bottom rib. CH & ?GW could have been the barrel maker or fitter.



With the screw in the head of the stock it's probably a wall hanger.
Here's a higher grade Clabrough hammer gun of similar era that sold for little money
https://bid.circle-auction.com/onli...ros-london-double-barrel-shotgun-5157899

Thank you for the information and time, Drew! The links you provided are a good read.

Allegedly a photo exits of the gun with the Earl and Game Warden. The seller is looking through some albums trying to search for it.

THAT would be a find Kody!
If the seller comes up with the pic, send a full size high resolution to drewhausemd@yahoo.com and I'll post it for you.

What do the B and M after 12 represent?

'B' bore (measured at 9" using a plug gauge) and 'M' muzzle. 14 = .693"
Fractional bore was not used until 1887 Rules of Proof so 12 = .729" - .750"
post-1887 12/1 would be .740"
I can't explain why the barrels are marked CHOKE rather than NOT FOR BALL
NITRO PROOF and the shot charge started in 1896; occasionally MAXIMUM, MAXm or without MAX

Reproved after 1925 (chamber length indicated) 20g with B & M on the barrel

.728 is generally considered the bore size of a 12 ga. although there is a range. Wondering if there a range that 12M and 12B represent or a fixed number?

Prior to the 1887 Rules, if a 11 gauge .751" plug gauge will not pass at 9", then it's marked 12B and could be .729" to .750"
Fractions started in 1887 so thereafter if a .740" plug gauge will not pass at 9", then it's marked 12 and could be .729" to .739"
SO if a 12g bore was .739" and the muzzle was .729" there would be .010" of choke constriction.
The Belgian Rules specified muzzle constriction > .008" to be marked CHOKE