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Forums10
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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
When I began my meagre "collection" of sxs shotguns I had a plan. It was to acquire a representative example of a field or graded gun from all the American Classic makers. At first I thought that just meant 5 shotguns; a Parker, Lefever, Fox, Ithaca, and L. C. Smith. Then I discovered Baker, Syracuse Arms, Meriden, Remington and Baltimore Arms. Finally got them and that left Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. No doubt there are others I've missed but that was the scope of my plan. The Wilkes-Barre eluded me for years. One would come up on the net from time to time, but they were all hammerguns which I didn't count or were priced way beyond my means. They're rare. Finally one came up, a nice Damascus B Grade in very good shape other than cut barrels. I picked it up today and shot it this afternoon. Everything works and I even shot pretty well with it. Overjoyed!...Geo      By the way the serial number is 49!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
How do you pronounce Wilkes-Barre? Wilkes Bar or Wilkes Barray? ...Geo
I had a smart secretary once from Philly; she said Wilkes Bear, but she spoke Yankee so I'm still not sure.
Last edited by Geo. Newbern; 03/22/18 09:08 PM. Reason: added last sentence
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,343 Likes: 390
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,343 Likes: 390 |
A friend who was raised there pronounced it wilks bear uh.
That has been the most prevalent pronunciation I've heard. I've never seen a Wilkes Barre shotgun, and hope we can learn a bit more about it, when and how many were made, what grades, etc.
Now that you have a Wilkes Barre double, Jagermeister would advise you to sell it so that your heirs won't be burdened with disposing of it when you depart this good earth.
A true sign of mental illness is any gun owner who would vote for an Anti-Gunner like Joe Biden.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 191 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 191 Likes: 4 |
Geo. Kieth pronounced it right. If you are going to own it you need to talk about how the Manufacturer did.. lol
Nice looking gun by the way !
Last edited by 1straightshot; 03/22/18 09:36 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
The manufacturer didn't do so well. Established in 1891, began manufacture in 1892 and bankrupted in 1895. I know of three grades of gun they built, grades A, B, and C. This is the only one I've laid my hands on and I'm impressed with quality of this mid grade.
From what I understand to be the story, a man named Parry worked for Ithaca. He left and opened is own Company in the Parry name building the same guns as he later built at Wilkes-Barre.
He went broke competing with his former employer, and an investment group including a gunmaker named Roth bought his equipment and brought the enterprise along with Mr. Parry and 30 employees to Wilkes-barre. When the company again went broke in 1895, the assets were sold to Ithaca. I may have that right, if not someone will correct me, I am sure...Geo
Last edited by Geo. Newbern; 03/23/18 12:21 PM. Reason: correction
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
The butt plate on the gun, which I presume is original, depicts a dog holding a snipe...Geo 
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 824 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 824 Likes: 36 |
It's a wonderful gun! You definitely deserve it
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
How much of the barrels were chopped off?
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
I think I should disclose that 67galaxie found and arranged the purchase of the gun and, knowing how I'd been struggling to find one passed the buy along to me. Not sure what I've done to deserve a 'solid' like that, but I deeply appreciate it. He shot the gun with me this afternoon and I think outshot me with my new acquisition!...Geo
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
How much of the barrels were chopped off? I'm not sure Joe, but they're 26" now with no choke at all and don't touch at the muzzle. That's probably why we shot it so well this afternoon at five stand. With no choke at all, I'd guess the barrels started out at 30" or more...Geo
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