doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Smith & Wesson Double Guns

Tom,
I really like the looks of that gun, based on the pictures Geoff has posted for you. The raised, flat-topped rib is especially nice. The bluing looks like a fine English rust blue, and the case colors look to be well done also. The receiver sculpting is just absolutely perfect, with the accent cuts around the fences that flow into the rib. VERY NICE! Much better than the RBL's skimpy rib.

S&W definitely needs to consider another name. Something like the "Smith & Wesson Light Field Gun" on top of the rib, with a Grade I (or II,III, etc.)marking on the flats of the receiver. Leave the barrels UNMARKED except for chamber length and gauge!

Also, as I stated previously, they definitely need to offer a semi-pistol grip option, regardless of single or double triggers. Every importer of Spanish guns has nothing but straight grips. They are everywhere. Look at the American Classics (Parker, Fox, L.C.Smith, Lefever, Win. M21) for guidance here; they all had small-circumference, semi-pistol grips as standard issue and are still very desirable in the market.

I would strongly consider fixed chokes initially in something like a light modified/modified offering. Choke tubes aren't nearly as importnat on this type of gun as many would have you believe. Take heed; the classic simplicity of fixed chokes has great appeal in this market!

This gun has great potential. The 20 gauge is a smart initial offering, with a 16 being a savvy second offering. Once more, they should forget the 26" barrel lenth and offer 28" and 30" instead. Personally, I would love a 30" 16 ga. with a semi-pistol grip and a small semi-beavertail.

I wish them huge success with this.
JR

What we have learned is that marketing departments haven't got a clue.

We might have known it would have the word 'Gold' on it someplace. Anyone else sick of this? We have the Browning Gold, the Gold Pigeon, the Gold Label, ad nauseum.. Everything is friggin' 'Gold' something... enuf already!

The barrel marking IS comical... best laugh of the day.

Wouldn't you rather have this:

WILLIAM EVANS 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 13959, 28in. nitro barrels, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 choke in both, treble-grip action with removable striker discs, best bold acanthus scroll engraving, retaining slight traces of original colour-hardening and finish, 14 1/4 in. stock, cast off for central vision, weight 6lb. 9oz.
Estimate £700-900


Clean the checkering and you are done!

JC(Nagging)

Or maybe this one (don't even need to clean the checkering!):

SAMUEL SMALLWOOD 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 3478, 29in nitro barrels inscribed "SAMUEL SMALLWOOD 9 MILK STREET SHREWSBURY", 2 1/2in chambers, bored approx true cyl and 3/4 choke, scalloped backed action profusely engraved with bold acanthus scrollwork, carved leaf fences, 14in well-figured stock, weight 6lbs 10oz, in a canvas case.
Estimate £500-700


A lot more value in these oldies than two grand (US)!

JC(AL)

Jaycee,
These beautiful old English guns are terrific to look at, but always have qualifiers attached to them. First, they are all 12 ga. at these prices. For a guy wanting a small, trim 20 ga. it's a non-starter. Second, they never have the right drop or length of pull, and it is sometimes near impossible to get them where you want them. Third, when you start looking at them really close, you find little problems that are a continuing source of aggravation.

The biggest problem, however, is that they are simply 12 ga. guns. Are those auction estimate prices? If so, they seldom hold to that. I love that Samuel Smallwood gun, though. Where is it?
JR

No doubt. My next gun will probably be a superposed pigeon grade. About 3000.00 I figure.Much better money spent. -IM

JR, Holt's.

Lot 1723

JC(AL)

Good catch on the "central vision" stock, Geoff. That's the fly in the ointment with the Evans, even if one doesn't mind putting up with the foibles of a British game gun. (I don't, and I own a pair of Brit 12's with 28" barrels that are in the same weight class as an RBL 20. Why look for a smaller gauge if not for weight reduction?)

John, "never" is too definite a word to use in the case of off the rack guns, of any kind, not fitting. I'm pretty average when it comes to dimensions, and my Brit pair fit me as well, without modification, as about anything I've ever owned. For most modern shooters, a classic Brit double is much more likely to fit, or come close, than a classic American double--unless the American double is a pretty late one. Usually, American doubles came with a lot more drop than Brit doubles. And European walnut tends to be easier to bend, if that's necessary, than American walnut. But when you're shopping used, you certainly need to factor in what you need to do to the gun (stock modifications, any necessary repairs, opening chokes, etc) and add that to the price. The only modification mine required was "choke surgery"--and that on only one barrel out of 4. There have been a few repairs, fairly minor, but that's typical of vintage used guns. I always advise people shopping for doublegun bargains to look newer used, like post-WWII. Something like an SKB or Miroku Daly, Beretta, Bernardelli, Sauer, etc. Fewer miles on the odometer, modern proofs and chamber lengths, often significant savings off what a similar gun would cost new today. Try to find something the quality of an Ithaca SKB 100 for the $7-900 or so you're likely to pay, price depending on gauge and condition. Or the Beretta GR-2 I just bought, for about the same money.