doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Renewed English Boxlock guns

Hi Guys:

I posted this topic a couple of years ago and did not get much positve input. Wondering if things have changed

I see lots of tired, heavily worn, cobbled up English boxlock guns that folks are buying. In fact a major English gun dealer told me that they are sending stuff to the US as they can not sell these beaters in UK. Also a major gunsmith here in the US say these are great for his business as folks buy them and then have to correct the problems.

My original post of 2 years ago was this:

I would take nice well cared for guns and have them gone through, and restored to as new condition. The work would be done correct, and proper by professionals, both here and abroad.

The items that could be included would be some of the following

Strip/clean
Repair or replace any worn parts and springs that my be over the hill

Pick up engraving
Refinish stock/forearm and renew checkering
Reblacken bbls
Redo receiver
any other work that needed to be done in order to make these guns right!

1. Here is the thing. These would be a gun that when purchased would be a gun that had no issues that you had to correct, a gun that you would have confidence in as they have been renewed to proper specifications
You could be proud to show it
2. And nothing needs to be done to it and would last the rest of your like with proper care.

3. Maybe even case them up in a nice case and label

These would not be cheap guns, but considering the quality work involved, still a bargain at below new replacement cost and value.

I would give a 1 year warranty!

What do you think?

Best

John Boyd
Quality Arms

I remember your thread.
I felt it hinged on the exchange rate.
$3200 seems the tipping point for used Brummie bl's.
If you can get the metal work done before import, there might be more margin now than in the past.
Just a opinion.

I think it's a great idea, but I would not redo the receiver. Re-chase the engraving if needed, yes, but leave the rest of it alone. Just my personal preference.

arrieta:
You seem a bit contradictory. If you start with "well cared for guns", why fool with them at all? If they are certified "beaters" then they probably entail more work than is economically prudent to invest. Especially picking up the engraving -- which requires annealing the key bits, chasing the engraving, then re-hardening the lot at the risk of warpage/refit.

Just my personal opinion, but I'd rather have a patina-rich original that functions (if well cared for) than a glossy refurbished piece. But that's just me.

Best, Kensal

John, other than the fact you're talking English guns, what would be the advantage of a gun like that over, say, a new AyA 4/53--which you currently sell?

Maybe that's a good topic for everyone here to discuss. Other than the vintage vs new factor, with vintage appealing more to some people, why would you prefer a totally redone Brit boxlock that's, say, 80 years old--and is restricted to either 2 1/2" shells or low pressure reloads--over a new AyA? Or would you prefer the AyA?

Good question, Larry. Just a matter of taste and personal interest I guess. As for me, I'd prefer the older guns with all their usual problems and warts.

If I had a new AYA, I wouldn't need (and couldn't afford) more guns; with the golden oldies, I need 9 or 10 guns around at least to come up with one that works in a given situation...Geo

Hi John, I'm picking these guns up all the time. I'm lucky, I'm in England.

Anyway, I look for precisely the guns you are speaking of. I do them up and either keep them or sell them. I make no bones they are restored and I love the work. It isn't my full time profession but I do love it...just getting into case colour hardening.

On the engraving side I've not had that done yet, it is SILLY expensive to have something re-engraved here. Talking 800 quid upwards for a basic engraving on a gun.

Regards,
Tony

John, the target audience for the gun you describe is the customer who does not yet own a good gun. How many of that type of person is still out there? I know more people who own fifty shotguns than I know who own none. I don't know anyone who owns from one to five shotguns.

I have to agree with this eightbore. The people I know either have a lot of doubles or a tactical Burgler Bashing Bernelli. I guess they only need one because burglers only come in the two legged variety!
Jim

John,

Toby Barclay of Heritage Guns is doing just what you suggest. He's coming back to the US with some restored British guns for the Vintagers in Sept.
So there must be a market for them.

Jeff