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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11 |
Doverman,
In 1983 my friend the late Geoffrey Boothroyd published some facts on Armurerie Vouzelaud. Below is an abstract from the publication.
Records show that Vouzelaud was established in 1888. In 1983 the business was located at;.
8,Place des Halles, Brou .[Brou is south west of Paris with the nearest town being Chartes.]
The model 315 EGL and 315EGL special were Vouzelaud's best side lock guns.These guns were made in St;Etiene under the personal supervision of M.Vouzelaud. The selling price in 1983 was 30,000 francs [2500 pounds]approx.By comparison a Winchester model 101 at this date sold for 6,300 francs[525 pounds]'
It is worth noting that M.Vouzelaud is reported as being Purdey,s agent in France,circa 1983.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 11/25/14 10:05 PM.
Roy Hebbes
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
Still, at that weight, a sweet little 20 gauge.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,767 Likes: 756
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,767 Likes: 756 |
Roy,
In the updated version (1985) of Don Zutz's book "The Double Shotgun" there is a section in the chapter on French guns dedicated to Vouzelaud. Mr. Zutz was quite clear in stating that all the Vouzelaud guns were boxlocks, and in the book is a photo of the twin to the above gun, stating the gun is a 315-EGL that looked "exactly like a fine sidelock", and that the screwheads and the axles are false.
The line of Vouzelaud guns at that time was three obvious boxlocks and two bearing decorated, but, false sideplates.
The information in the book dovetails exactly with what I saw in France a decade later. The Vouzelaud guns I handled were A&D boxlocks.
The name engraved in the barrel is that of Thomas E. Humphrey, a successful builder from Indiana, and benefactor to the NRA. Mr Humphrey passed away in 2013, and while I never met him, I knew of him-he had contact with other French builders that I also did. I am fairly certain that this is the late Mr. Humphrey's gun.
It is NOT information to comply with BATF (Not "Customs") law pertaining to the marking of imported firearms. This gun seems to have missed that legality, which, happens from time to time, but, not as much as it used to-BATF stepped up examination for compliance with that requirement while I was still in the business. I had a few go through without it, however.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,381 Likes: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,381 Likes: 106 |
Vouzelaud was not/is not a maker in the same sense that Darne or Verney-Carron is a maker. It's more like the old Birmingham/Liege system, with guns being custom made by a group of St Etienne outworkers to Vouzelaud's specifications.
There was a good article on Vouzelaud, also stressing that all their guns are boxlocks, in Game & Gun, Nov/Dec 92, by Dr. James Nelson.
Per Zutz's section on Vouzelauds, to save us the trouble of translating from francs or pounds: The price of a 315-EGL in the States, in 1985, was $4900. I'd say the listed price on GI is pretty good, considering that one of those new round-body AyA boxlocks will run you about the same.
Last edited by L. Brown; 11/26/14 08:54 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,816 Likes: 194
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,816 Likes: 194 |
V-C was a time varying concern and from time to time did dabble in the Birmingham/Liege system.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,171 Likes: 1158
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,171 Likes: 1158 |
Thanks for all the expert information. I admit, I was fooled.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6 |
Confirming OWD's point, here is a picture of a Verney Carron with sideplates showing the two screws mentioned by OWD:  Larry - Vouzelaud's outsourcing practice continues, here is a Grulla they are selling under their banner. The pin configuration seems unusual: Vouzelaud Apparently, this sidelock/sideplate issue is a matter of some confusion. Here is an ad for this model (315EGL) indicating it is a sidelock (platine): Platine Here is an ad for this model indicating it is a sideplate (contre platine): Contre platine Regarding price, Vouzelaud is selling this same gun for 4.250 euros. I have an inquiry into them as to whether it is a sidelock or sideplate.
Last edited by Doverham; 11/26/14 10:34 AM.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,832 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,832 Likes: 13 |
Confusion -- perhaps.
Dealers makers this "mistake" quite a bit.
There's one guy in New England who is making the same mistake on a couple "sidelocks" he has for sale.
I wonder if he knew better when he was buying...
OWD
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6 |
The venerable Blue Book doesn't help: Blue Book
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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