Scott sold some 'live-pigeon' guns at the turn of the century that were considerably more expensive then the cost of a best Purdey or Holland, from memory; £120 as opposed to just under £100.
Have alook at Holt's on-line catalogue for a W& C Scott 16-bore live pigeon gun of this grade:
A VERY FINE W. & C. SCOTT 16-BORE 'THE VICTORIA' (2 3/4IN) TOPLEVER HAMMER PIGEON GUN, serial no. 74323, 30in. nitro 'W.S.' steel barrels with broad, raised matt rib, gold-inlaid at the breech-end with gold scrollwork, tubes engraved ''W. & C. SCOTT & SON. THE VICTORIA' and '78 SHAFTESBURY AVENUE. LONDON.', crossbolt extension with scroll engraving and marked 'SCOTT'S IMPROVED BOLT', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. full choke in both, treble-grip action with side-clips, carved percussion fences with broad strikers, rebounding sidelocks, the whole profusely engraved with fine scrollwork, surrounding vignettes of pointers, retrievers and a variety of game birds and wildfowl, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 14 3/8in. highly-figured pistolgrip stock including 1 1/8in. leather-covered recoil pad, sling swivels, weight 7lb. 3oz.
Estimate £2,500-3,000
It is arguably the case that Scott's best output at this time was the best that any English maker was producing, subtleties of taste notwithstanding. It certainly stands equal to any best London gun.
Last edited by Small Bore; 12/01/06 09:53 AM.
