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Forums10
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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190 |
I recently acquired a Skimin and Wood waterfowling (?) 12 gauge double. Can anyone help me with information about this Birmingham maker?
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,381 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,381 Likes: 1 |
The firm was founded in Birmingham, ca 1920, at 31 Loveday St. They moved several times and in 1965 were at 3 Prince Street. Bought out by FJ Wiseman ca. 1970 and moved to Cammock, Staffordshire.
'Skimin & Wood were mainly gunmakers to the trade, but they also specialised in pigeon guns-and had interests in Australia and New Zealand.' Kinda like Cashmore eh?
From Boothroyds' revised Directory of British Gunmakers.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 803
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 803 |
I spoke with Frank Wiseman (84 years young at the time) about 5-6 years ago about another shotgun I thought at the time might be a Skimin & Wood. Frank informed me in typical Brit understatement, "You know, we had a War." . Meaning the Skimin & Wood records were lost to bombing during WW2. Frank was still making guns with his sons and phone # should stil be available.
Basically like all/most? Birmingham makers, the individual processes were jobbed out and the name was put on. Sam Skimin did a number of these fowling pieces and was a salesman, selling a number in New Zealand. Sam Skimin is also the 'Father' of the "20th Century Gun" or 2" 12 gauge as he promoted.-Dick
Last edited by Dick_dup1; 10/16/08 01:31 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,521 Likes: 20
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,521 Likes: 20 |
I believe Skimin & Wood were one of most prolific makers of 2" 12 gauge guns. At least the majority of (the handful) the 2" guns I've seen have had their name on them.
One of the guys at our club had one for a bit. It was a thing of beauty and a wand: BLE, nicely engraved, 28" barrels (somewhat unusual), 15"+ LOP and all. I doubt it weighed 5-3/4 pounds. It was so light he had trouble shooting it and I believe he moved it on down the road once the yen hit for something else.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 364
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 364 |
Dick, I'm interested in your comment about Frank Wiseman being the "Father" of the 20th. Century Gun. By my rough estimate he would have been about two years old when Skimin & Wood introduced that model. David Baker says in the Fall 1992 issue of DGJ that the "20th. Century Gun" was the brainchild of Mr. Skimin and it was certainly being offered for sale by 1920. Perhaps Mr. Wiseman was having a 'senior moment"? Sort of like Ronald Reagan thinking that he had fought in the 2nd. World War.
nial
Last edited by nialmac; 10/16/08 12:28 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190 |
This is great information, gentlemen! Thanks!
My gun is very similar to a pigeon gun except that it came equipped with an automatic safety. It has 2 3/4" chambered 30" barrels (probably originally full choked) and a Greener cross-bolt action, with side clips. It weighs 8 pounds, 2 ounces. It has 1925-1955 Birmingham proof marks for 1 1/4 ounce shot charges.
It is marked "Christchurch" so there very well may be a New Zealand connection. It also carries a "WRA" importer's address. so there may well be a Westley Richards involvement, too. Is it possible that an English gun that was made for a New Zealand market somehow made its way to the U. S.?
I would be interested in obtaining contact information.
Last edited by Dingelfutz; 10/16/08 12:32 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 803
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 803 |
Whoops my mistake, meant to read Sam Skimin sold fowling pieces in New Zealand and was considered the Father of the 2" 12 bore.-Frank Wiseman's father worked for Sam at various times in thier careers.
"I would be interested in obtaining contact information."
Contact information for who? Skimin & Wood records do not exist. Your gun may or may not have gone to New Zealand.-Dick
Last edited by Dick_dup1; 10/16/08 01:30 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,736 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,736 Likes: 96 |
There is quite a bit on Skimin & Wood in the book, Birmingham Gunmakers by Douglas Tate if you can source a copy. He more or less inferes that S & W started business in 1920 mainly making live pigeon trap guns, including some in O/U for New Zealand, but shortly after that, when live pigeon shooting started to be banned they went on to produce a lot of lightweight guns with 2" chambers both in their own name and for the trade. It indicates that an S & W pigeon gun is most likely one that they made in their early days. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190 |
The contact info that I asked about was for F. J. Wiseman. I have since found some.
I will attempt to obtain a copy of Tate. Cheap as I am I will try interlibrary loan, first.
Thanks to all for the interesting information.
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