doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A. E. Whitmore, Maker, Boston, Mass

I recently obtained a very high grade American sidelock double by A. E. Whitmore, Maker, Boston, Mass. I am aware that the maker is Andrew E. Whitmore who had the patents on the early Remington hammer guns and later worked on the Colt hammerless shotgun, among other things. He moved to Boston by 1890 and died there in 1893. I would like information concerning the company he started in Boston, how many guns he produced under his own name, and other pertinent information. My gun has no serial numbers, ejectors, Kilby fine damascus barrels, highly engraved step-down sideplates (almost identical to grade 5-7 Syracuse Smiths--probably done by A. E. Spangler who engraved for Smith and Lefever), and fabulous wood. Can anybody help me with finding more info on this gun and Whitmore's company? Did A. E. Whitmore make other custom guns, or is this one unique?

Ken
I can't answer any of your questions; but did see the gun at the Southern Side x Side; a great piece with a lot of potential!

Ken, I have had a couple of A E Whitmores and a non related Whitmore Safety Hammerless, but I have never seen one with ejectors or sideplates.

Could you post a couple of photos , or if stumped, you could email them to me and I will post them. email is in my profile

Daryl,

I will take some pictures soon and get them to you for posting. Thanks.

Daryl
My first glance at this gun and I thought it was Syracuse LC Smith quality 5 with stepped side plates (the engraving is identical to the Smith Quality 5, and I'm convinced the work was done by Spangler). I didn't break the gun down, but it was relatively light weight and was fitted with auto ejectors and double triggers. The stock was well figured with elaborate borders and checkering; at some point finishes had been "restored" and the Damascus barrels had been blued over. Still a heck of a neat gun in my opinion, and it attracted a lot of interest from folks like me and Bill McPhail; I'm glad to know Ken has provided it a good home.

Topgun (Tom),

Frank Finch told me that you showed him the gun and suspected that the engraving was Spangler's. I looked at the pictures of the 5 and 7 grade Smiths in Houchins' book, and the dog scenes are identical to this gun. I do believe you are right about the engraving. This is truly a mystery gun, and I would like to know if he made any more, or if this was a proto-type for him before his death. Bill McPhail from SC sent me some info on Whitmore which referenced an article in the Jan. 1967 Shooting Times, entitled "My Magnificent Whitmore." I am trying to find out a way to get a copy of that article.

Ken,
That's correct, because the engraving was so much like the Smith Quality 5, I had shown the gun to Frank and a few other Smith collectors there; Frank later told me that you had purchased the gun, so belated congratulations! As to how to research the piece, there are few collectors of the real odd stuff like this piece; so if collectors like Daryl or Bill can't give you some insight, I have no idea where you should begin. But I certainly wish you good luck and results as you begin your quest!

Tom, I have emailed Shooting Times to see if they have archived copies of their magazine, or know of a similar depository. I feel like that article could be about my very gun, or at least give me some other pertinent information. Thanks for your help.

Unusual and fantastic Gun-wish I had more to offer.I am sure
you will learn alot about it on this site.
Good Luck
Bill

I didn't see it. We would sure like some pictures. Who was the dealer?