The standard Boss is not a true self opener. However, Boss did make a (relatively few) self openers.
The Beesley (Purdey) type action has been used (in small numbers) by quite a few makers in the UK in addition to Purdey (who have made in excess of 15,000). These others include Henry Atkin (a few 100 "Spring Opener" model made), John Dickson, Churchill, P.V. Nelson, Peter Chapman, Watson Brothers, Charles Hellis, Hartmann and Weiss, Symes and Wright, Holloway and Naughton, Joseph Brazier and also possibly Charles Boswell, William Evans, Charles Rosson, Stephen Grant and Terry Smith.
Outside the UK, AyA (around 40 model Senior made), Ignacio Ugartechea (model 1040), Victor Sarasqueta, A Francotte, Brancaert (Belgium), Joseph Defourny (Belgium), Jules Thonon (Belgium), Tula (a gun presented by Nikita Kruschev to Harold MacMillan (?) was sold quite recently, Baikal and O Geyger (possibly made by Bernard Merkel’s workshops in Suhl as model X).
Note that I have only seen written details in many cases, though I have seen photographs of some. This list will be far from definitive as a number of makers have made only one or two examples. the Beesley action is reputed to be very difficult to 'get just right'.
| 