doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Boss Guns 4683/4 4261/2 5649 4496

During October 1941 the Ministry of Supply in the UK, wrote to every Licensed Firearms Dealer in the United Kingdom with a list of the types of guns they were interested in purchasing. This included well known London makers as well as every Ironmonger in the country that had a Dealers License. Long story short if the dealer had a type of gun that was on the list they were forbidden to sell it until the man from the Ministry of supply had called on them, which occurred in October to November 1941. William Evans ended up selling 84 guns in one day, as an example.
The shotguns were mainly used by the RAF for air gunner training. Handguns and rifles of 'Continental' calibre ended up with the Special Operations Executive.

In Donald Dallas's book on Boss & Co he sites 6 guns that were purchased, unbelievably this included pairs of guns, heaven only knows what the MoS had to pay for these!

My question is, does anyone have one of theses guns themselves or have any photos as i would be keen to see if they ever received any markings, while in service.

Regards

Alan

William Powell & Son also sold a number of guns to the MOS.

Do you have any documents on this issue?

Hi Steve

I have been into Powell's on my last trip to the UK and have a note of the serial numbers of the 10 shotguns that the MoS purchased.

I have been researching this matter for many years and have quite a bit of information. Some is from the National Archives in London, most is from personal visits to dealers/makers that still have records for this period - obviously this takes a fair bit of time, but is most enjoyable! Also, quite a a lot of retailers including department stores that had a gun or sports department have donated their archive to the local town or city Library/Archive facility. These are great to visit as its easy to get an appointment.

Regards

Alan

This was done over 90 years ago?

What became of these AFTER the war?

Still going on?

Mike

Surplus firearms whether they be No4 rifles, handguns or shotguns were sold off by the Ministry of Supply disposals.

As there was such a huge variety of shotguns by different makers that were acquired during WW2, it made sense to rationalize was was kept, so that armorers could work on a more limited range.

Interestingly, the RAF still needed shotguns in the 1950's as this is when the 1,000 order was placed by the Air Ministry with BSA for their DB boxlock known as the Regent. These all had a W prefix to the serial number, 28" barrels and semi pistol grip stock. Country to popular belief they are not wartime issue guns.

I bet Webley & Scott were miffed that they did not get the order for the 1,000 shotguns for the Air Ministry.

Regards

Alan