Harry,
Welcome to the Board. Here's a start on Watson Brothers. Would be useful to post your logic for the year, 1926. S/N for that year begins with 8,717 according to Nigel Brown's London Gunamkers (p. 130), 1998. In any case, suggest you post a description of the proof marks on the barrel flats or even a photo if you have that digital capability and can figure your way through the "post a photo" in the Boards useful info.
Brown writes that the firm began in 1875 under Thomas Wiliam Watson, son-in-law of noted Birmingham gunmaker William Tranter.
He opened in London at Pall Mall in 1878 and handed the business to his two sons in 1885 when it became Watson Bros., lasting until Grant & Lang took it over in 1935. The firm established an excellent reputation for small bore shotguns for ladies and boys of which many are still in circulation. Grant & Lang kept the name alive. After some vicissitudes, Michael Louca, a former Purdey workman bought the name in 1989, and has been making round-bodied, self-opening sxs guns, and since 1992 and o/u model that is Boss-like. Originally in Canterbury, Kent, Louca moved to London in the 90s.
Good stuff, turnagain, from the Internet Gun Club, you posted while I was looking up in London Gunmakers.
Regards, Tim
Last edited by Tim Carney; 12/04/06 12:55 AM.
