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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123 |
Hi all, ok, so we all know what some of the features are for a SL Best Gun.
So.......what features do you think defines the difference between a run of the mill BL and a BL "Best" gun?
Curious to see what some of you think.
Thanks so much!
Greg
Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544 |
Funny, I just wrote a book about that!
It would be a 236 page post to reply though!!
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753 |
it's fit and finish once you get past a basic over built no frills tank- say a 311 savage/stevens
look at the difference between a Sterlingworth and the best grade Fox - or a VH Parker to an AHE
the hand work to fine tune what is basically the same action
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123 |
Hi Dig, looking forward to getting it, loved your first book. So can you expound a little about page 236?
OH, Yep, fit and finish, that's one, what do others say? Engraving, wood, checkering etc?
What say you?
Thanks again!
Greg
Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,544 |
Well,
Try looking for one or more of the following:
Intercepting safety sear, double dog cocking limbs, gold washed internals, chamfered mainsprings, Scott leverwork, chopperlump barrels, dickie bird safety mechanism, quality of action filing and engraving, wood to metal fit, chequer quality, wood quality, gold inlay etc....
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 602 Likes: 39
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 602 Likes: 39 |
A Stevens 311 does not belong in any discussion of best boxlocks. I can say that because a used Stevens 311 in 16 ga was my first shotgun that fired more than one shot. I acquired it in about 1956 @ age 12& even at that age I could recognize that it was crude, had poor handling qualities & was not as good a bird gun as the trim little 20 ga Savage 220 single shot it replaced.
I too am looking forward to Digg's book. IMO some boxlocks give up nothing in comparison to the very best sidelocks & I've talked to quite a few gunsmiths that think quality boxlocks are more trouble free than quality sidelocks.
Last edited by Brittany Man; 06/20/12 06:59 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,833 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,833 Likes: 13 |
What about boxlocks by Westley Richards and W.W. Greener?
Did those makers include intercepting safety sears on their boxlock designs?
OWD
Last edited by obsessed-with-doubles; 06/20/12 07:12 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,223 Likes: 123 |
Hi all and thanks! Thanks Dig, great info. The one problem for me with some Brit BL/BLE is the gradeing. Without a catalog or model number/name it can be difficult to determine if the gun is a Best Grade, 2nd quality etc. I've seen some guns that are considered 2nd quality, but yet still has wonderful engraving, great wood etc. With American classics you can generally go by the model/numbering system. It seems that smaller makers are the ones that one has the worst time with, as most of the records are gone due to the Blitz bombings or destroyed for some reason or another.
Oh, the English trade, frustrating yet lots of fun!
Thanks again!
Greg
Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,778 Likes: 760
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,778 Likes: 760 |
No American classic is a best. Period. NO 311, regardless of the time spent on it, could ever be a best.
Intercepting sear boxlocks can be spotted from about a half dozen paces, if you know what to look for. For those who don't ( you know who you are) look for the pin near the top, at the back of the frame, which allows the intercepters to hang.
If you are still unclear, The photo of the T Newton scroll-back action boxlock ejector, with intercepting sears, on pages 29, 30 and 31 of Volume 21, issue 4 of the DGJ should help clear things up for you.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 753 |
well that was misinterpreted - i said the 311 was the low end example of box . I do disagree that a hand fit graded Parker is not a best boxlock, and intercepting sears are nice  but not a requirement to be a best, I see few British boxlocks with them
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