doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Field grades - shouldn't they be 12 gauges?

Noone is going to find self-ratification in a doublegun, LG, whether plain or fancy altho "(?)" may indeed yearn deeply for it. I don't attach that much emotional valence to guns whether shot by the sons of the soil or the British peerage. I do love the bragging rights from even the few pitiful examples I have but I hope I'm bragging about the qualities of the guns which I HAVE LEARNED to admire. They didn't spring fully-realized from my forehead and I don't kid myself that my interest of the moment is a proof of my impeccable taste, judgment, and refinement.

jack

Wrong guess, LG. It is conventional wisdom that all British boxlocks were made in Birmingham. And as is often the case, conventional wisdom is wrong. With the exception of some post-WWII models, Cogswell & Harrison built their boxlock guns in London. My Coggie Avant Tout BLE was built in 1906 at C&H's Gillingham Street Works, just behind Victoria Station.

I thought I read some where that Scott made guns for Cogswell & Harris...what does it matter anyway ?

You should know by now that Lowell turns his nOse-up at all Brummies. I think he just bought an American field grade so he would have someone to talk to..lol

Kinda hard to start a Beesley club.

Scott did make some actions for C&H after WWII. At that time substantial trade work was also being done for C&H by J. Blanch, which also did trade work for Churchill et al.

C&H's extensive Gillingham Street Works in London burned down in 1922. Gunmaking continued at several locations after that (including Birmingham from 1933 to 1935), but WWII military contracts displaced the sporting gun manufacturing. And after the war, Coggies might have come from anywhere. But at least until 1922 and probably for some time after, Cogswell & Harrison was one of the very few gunmakers turning out truly London-made boxlocks.

Good one homelessjoe!! I think there is a little bit of uppity in Mr. LG... I have two brit 12's that sit in my vault, while I hit everything that my dogs points with my poor little fox 20 and a even cheaper dehaan 28!!

After using a Model 21 over the years I have come to one conclusion- when I use a Model 21, EVERY gun is deluxe.

What about the Best Original Quality grade SLE's that came from Birmingham? Makers in Birmingham certainly made a lot of plainish A&D's, but they also made a lot of fancy ones. Oh, and all those provencial SLE's and A&D's; what of them?

London, Birmingham, and the provences were all members of a trade that competed fiercely and cooperated nicely. "Work" was judged on quality required, time allowed, and cost incurred. "Work" went to shops on an economical basis. Remember, most shops were run by master gunmakers and any master could get a "best" gun out the door - the much bigger problem was getting a commission in the door.

So long as as BOQ1 SLE has a 12b hole or two, I see no particular reason why the American farmer would not recognize it as being a shotgun. Pretty bright those farmers! I think one must also include the Emulative Creations of Humble Outlanders (Echo grade) in the Who Shoots What? deliberation. I'm hoping I got in on the good stuff with a Spanish ECHO2 and will never be forced to associate with those poor bastards who are acquiring ECHO5s from Turkey.

jack

Intrests of the moment is such a great thing jack, it is things to do when work and family stuff are done for the day.

Jack I hope to hear a few turkeys ECHO'n through the woods this spring myself.
At the mOment all one can do is look at a few turkeys peck'n on here.