|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 members (dukxdog, azgreg, 1 invisible),
327
guests, and
2
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,939
Posts550,918
Members14,460
| |
Most Online1,344
Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737 |
In his book "Birmingham Gunmakers" Douglas Tate mentions the connection between the London based W J Jeffery and the Birmingham gunmaker(s)Daniel Leonard and Sons in that the latter built many guns with the former's name on them.
One of "the sons", Harry Leonard, continued the trade. Tate syas that "a signature feature of many of his guns and rifles was a bow back to the action that Jeffery called a 'shaped action' in his catalog".
In Vol 13 iss 3 Sherman Bell cites Tate's book and also goes on to mention "the asymmetrical bow back, most commonly found on the actions of best-grade Jeffery double rifles".
For the last 20 years my main upland gun is a Jeffery 12 bore apparently built by Harry Leonard (sold by Jeffery in 1909) as it has the bow back, shaped action.
It's a great gun. In fact it's a very great gun, I love it. The wood is mildly figured, the gun's aesthetic appeal doesn't figure into it's quality, as far as I'm concerned. Rather, it's quality to me shows in that it handles beautifully, is dependable in all kinds of weather and takes a beating without crying OUCH!
Now, if Bell says the bow back is a hallmark of best-grade Jeffery rifles, does he also think it is likewise true for Jeffery shotguns? Where could he have gotten this information? Tate's thorough discussion never hints at this.
Question: Is the aforementioned bow back action a sign of a best-grade Jeffery gun?
Please understand that the impetus for writing this post is curiosity, not greedy "WOW! HIGH VALUE = BIG BUCKS gotta sell!" designs. Merely something that I happened to notice this morning while re-reading old DGJ's.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 517
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 517 |
Boothroyd mentions the Jeffery No. 5 being sold as a best boxlock shotgun. I owned a No. 5 built by Harry Leonard. It was beautiful.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
I have one, dunno what it is..I have one picture of it here in Mexico, gun is still in USA. Maybe I can get Mr. Wood to post it for me, and someone will tell me about it..Mine is a 16 Bore under 6 lbs..lovely lil gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737
Sidelock
|
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737 |
Thank you for the information, GJZ. I never even knew it was assigned a Model number.
Yes, my gun is indeed beautiful, the lines are svelte and the balance and handling are just superb. I didn't mean to sound like I was denigrating my gun. I just mentioned the wood, while mildly figured, is not of the quality one usually associates with "bests", which added to my wondering if the gun was indeed considered one.
I'll check my Boothroyd books tonight. It's odd that I forgot about him, his books used to be my sole reference for English doubles.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,966 Likes: 96
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,966 Likes: 96 |
Last Dollar, who is basking in the sun in Baja, asked me to post this photo for him: 
John McCain is my war hero.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 517
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 517 |
That is not a Jeffery bow back gun.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
I knew that, but thanks anyhow..like I said a few lines ago, I would like any info on it That anyone wants to volunteer..And no, I cant post any more pics of it until I get back to the United States, if I come back at all...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737
Sidelock
|
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,737 |
Stealing this thread for your own personal gains you lowdown bandito?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
No, just thought someone could comment on the wee jeff. FYI: I am NOT a lowdown Bandito, I am a Highclass Bandito...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,758 Likes: 110
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,758 Likes: 110 |
Looks like it could be a Webley and Scott gun. Leonard made excellent quality guns and you are fortunate to have one. I have two Jeffery's, one, a 12 bore hammer pigeon gun by the Midland Gun Co. and a 16 bore boxlock ejector that is fine quality but as yet I have failed to discern who made it. Lagopus.....
|
|
|
|
|
