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2 members (LRF, 1 invisible),
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guests, and
5
robots. |
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Key:
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Forums10
Topics38,469
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Most Online1,299
Apr 26th, 2024
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
Anyone familar with George Williamson gunmaker. Was this a utility B'ham maker or a London best?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
Hasn't anyone ever heard of this gunmaker?
Jim
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 173 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 173 Likes: 3 |
Williamson, George (1874-1882) 14 Whittall St.
Which is in Birmingham.
Never have seen one but as with most makers and even retailers the gun could be anything the buyer wanted to pay for. Including the equal of a London Best.
However a London best is a Boss or it's equivalent made in London.
Cheers,
fallinblock
falling block
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
The one example I have seen looked well made and on par with all but the finest J. Purdey or Boss.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
Considering the time frame shown by fb, one would't expect to see many examples. However, the name could have been "recycled" at some later date. Only in the case of Boss(maybe), does the maker's name assure a given original quality grade. Mr. Williamson most likely made some of several grades. Very unlikely that he got many commissions to make best grade guns - but he might well have gotten a few. It is tempting to imagine that each maker always worked to his absolute best on every gun such that we can associate some maker with a skill level and therefore know what quality guns with his name posses. Didn't happen. Most/all maker's could get out a best gun by doing what best work their shops were capable of and contracting with specilaist outworkers who could do what they couldn't inhouse.
Several "gunmaker" shops, Evans comes to mind, did very well without making guns, rather by buying in most everything, but making very sure the customer got his money's worth. Many people went to Mr. Evans not because they hoped for a bargain, but because they knew they would get fair dealing whether they knew guns or not. Still do.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 173 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 173 Likes: 3 |
Rocketman,
I still can't send a pm if you are able can you send your list of BV.
I am sure tired of every brit gun being called a best gun.
All I have is a Rigby rising bite side lever which according to some can't be a best gun as no side levers are best guns and a Boss pinfire 10 that are best guns. But have several very nice guns that are gjust as nice but not "London Best"
I am a schuetzen shooter so am fallingblock but do like almost any doubles or
singleshots.
Cheers,
Laurie aka fallingblock
falling block
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
fb - drop a note to don.amos@conti-na.com. You do need to run Excel. If not, send a land address. Happy to send you the BV list and the valuation file.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
Rocketman,
I tried sending you a PM and don't believe you got it. Seems to be a problem with the new Board. Many thanks for your input and wisdom. I doubt this is a best gun, but a "close to best gun". Not a Purdey or Boss, but a well made, well executed English Sidelock. Thanks again.
Jim
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