doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Fosbery Paradox Gun

I am going through my collection of firearms with an eye to thinning out items that I do not use, but which someone might like
to have. One candidate is a 12 ga Fosbery "Paradox Gun". Markings show that it was made by "G & S Holloway, Birmingham" and
sold by "P. Orr & Sons, Madras, Bombay". It is in very good condition, and I have two of what I believe are brass Paradox
casings to go with it.

If I decide to sell it, I would like a fair price, but don't need to make a killing on it.

Does anyone have any info on value or a source for estimating same?

In addition to a response here, a direct response to me at ling@anltd.com would be helpful.

Thanks.

I would search some of the recent London auction sites. They have sold some of what they call Ball and Shot guns. You should find enough to give you an idea of the market.

Lin I'm interested if you decide to sell. Mike 907 398 9736

Lin,
As you are probably aware each guns value ultimately rests on its own merits. I know of three Holland sidelock 12 bore Paradox guns which have sold in the past 14 months. One a grade 2 with border engraving sold for about 10K. A 2 1/2 chambered Paradox with some cc and a case sold for 17k. A magnum Paradox cased with an extra set of shotgun barrels sold for 28K.
I am assuming your gun was made after 1900 and has the Fosbery rifled chokes. It's value would be somewhat less than a Holland.
Internal measurements(bore .735 and choke .690 for a 12) are very important in determining a rifled choke guns ultimate value.

Thanks for the responses. I have one correction and one addition:

Correction = the reference to P.ORR & Sons should have said "Madras and Rangoon", not "Madras and Bombay"

Addition = I have posted some (very) large photos at: http://www.hsnw.com/Paradox/paradox.html
The 1st one is pretty blurry, I will replace it as time allows.

Actually, many of these are less than what I would want as a viewer.

I'll re-shoot and re-post tomorrow, time permitting.

For now, they give folk an idea.

Looks like a pretty nice gun. How are the bores and chokes?

It is pretty nice. Shows some cosmetic wear and a few bumps/dings from being handled (chips out of the horn butt plate, worn blue on the RH rear of the barrels, small dent in the front of the trigger guard, some wear to corner such as the express sights) but it is as tight as new and the bores/chokes/rifling appear as new.

New pics to come, honest!

Grateful if you would post close-up pix of the proofmarks, too.

Best of the Season

Lin,

Had a closer look at your pix (you need to post sharper ones). The boxlock rifled choke gun uses normal rifling, rather than the original ratchet rifling that Col. Fosbery designed and Holland made after they bought his patent. It is Birmingham proofed following the 1904 Rules of Proof so dates to after then. Can't see what the length of chamber might have been. Believe, subject to correction, that most choke-rifled guns of that period had moved to 2-3/4" chambers, but you need to double check.

Looks like a pretty ordinary specimen. Can't imagine it's worth more than a few thousand dollars.

Regards, Tim