I have been interested in and looking for a Dickson for the past few years.
Living where I do, I seldom get any opportunity to actually hold or shoot any gun before I send money for it!
I like grips better than straight stocks so that really limits guns that I might choose to purchase (not that straight is a total dealbreaker as I have both styles). Nicely figured wood is always a plus.
I prefer 28-30" barrels for my field guns. 28" is ideal.
I really want my 12ga field guns to be at 6#12oz or less. I have been searching for a magical 12ga that is at or under 6.25 lbs. I hand load all of my upland game ammo for my vintage guns. My 12ga shells are either 1oz or 1 1/8oz @1200fps low pressure 2.5" length. This gun was proofed for 2 3/4" @3 tons per sq. in. when new barrels were installed.
I had seen this particular Dickson on the internet over a year ago. It was one of the most beautiful shotguns I had ever seen BUT the issue for me, was sleeved barrels. I has only held one sleeved gun previously. I see more sleeved Dicksons for sale than not. I saved the phots of this Dickson on my computer desktop. I just loved it other than the sleeving.
The gun sold after several weeks. No big deal...there are more shotguns, right?
Well two weeks ago I was doing my daily search of gun sites. Dang if this beauty didn't show up once again! Well this time I called immediately to made a deal on it to be mine. I wasn't about to lose it.
The shotgun is all that I had hoped it to be along with meeting all my criteria. The sleeving is fine not bothering me at all. It does not distract from the rest of the gun. The gun had been back to the Dickson shop in 2019 for maintenance along with fresh strip & clean, recut checkering, etc before its trip across the Atlantic.
I hope you will enjoy my photos while I am loving owning this precious vintage firearm.
Now for the
BONUS! Here is the provenance that goes along with the life of this fine shotgun:
This magnificent Round-Action is one of many guns that serve as poignant reminder of the sacrifice and personal cost of war. Made for Percy Lionel Moubray in 1890, gifted to him by his father, Capt. W. H. Moubray (Royal Navy) for his eighteenth birthday. Later becoming Capt. P. L. Moubray, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) he would serve in The South African Campaign before heading to the western front in 1914. On the 29th of October of that year, whilst defending the Menin road into Ypres, the main supply line for the British, the 3rd battalions loses for the day amounted to 5 officers (inc. Capt. Moubray) and 250 men. His name inscribed on Panel 37 of the Menin Gate Memorial.I will enjoy carrying this wonderful gun and shoot birds with the continuing honor and memory of Capt. P.L.Moubray. Rest in peace Captain. Your shotgun is in loving hands.