doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com H Hussey Dates

Hi guys,

My usual tomes do not account well for this shotgun maker. London gun clearly but with a serial number of 1912. I think it's around 1921 but anyone have any sharper numbers? SxS top quality Hussey, lovely! Photos soon.

T

My Hussey is 14325 and I have been told 1915. Love that pistol grip on yours.
Mike

I dated a hussey once, but her name did not start with "H". Must be another dame. By the way that hussey married a friend of mine and later divorced him. Cleaned him out. Not a nice hussey at all.

Sorry but every time I see that make I think about her. The guns from H. Hussey that I have seen have been solid guns. Look forward to your pictures.

Having said that Jon, Hussey had a fine reputation for being scandalous also, moving between various gunmakers and fiddling the books at at least one of them!

T

In defense of H.J. Hussey, I read the account of his "Rogueishness" in Don Master's book and also in Nigel Brown's work and I think the conclusions are dubious leaps to conclusion by only one man's opinion. (Webley, owner of Lang & Hussey at the time)

Webley was dictating how the business was to be run and was by my assessment, a micro-manager in an aloof, annoying fashion. The company was cutting bonuses, cutting pay and treating the employees with disregard as Webley led the ship aground.

Hussey took some guns to auction and in one of two cases cited, sold a gun for 68 pounds and turned in 60 pounds to the firm. A thief wouldn't turn in a receipt for 68 pounds and 60 pounds, a thief would take the gun and play coy as to what happened to the gun, or would shake down suppliers, or a cadre of other easier ways to exploit the situation.

My guess is that Hussey covered his expenses or gave the pay to one or more of his employees or felt he was entitled in some way to the difference for some unreimbursed expense from Webley.

By all accounts it was Hussey's demeanor, shooting expertise and world renowned gun fitting that made him a star at Lang & Hussey. He did the work in the front room, Webley was the private equity firm so to speak. In the end, Hussey went on to be as famous with his customers after the Lang & Hussey years as during them, so I think his customers thought more of his integrity than Webley's allegation.

In conclusion, I regret that Don Masters and Nigel Brown only told Webley's side of the story and did so in a fashion that didn't withhold judgment. We simply cannot determine if Hussey was a thief, was justified, or just made a bad executive decision for the firm of Lang & Hussey. I tend to be more lenient on Hussey simply because his actions speak more to poor decision making than to outright dishonest thievery.

Great post Rook, many thanks, very interesting.

For sure the gun is stunning...a true best...

Regarding Ballistix999 statement about Hussey moving around quite a bit between gunmakers, that also is kind of a misnomer.

H.J. Hussey had his first job with Holland & Holland and worked up to the role of gun fitter and assistant manager. Through his contacts, he then brought over customers to his new job with Joseph Lang and Son (owned solely by Webley) and within a few months, had enough clout to get his name on the door. Lang & Hussey was born.

By 1898 H.J. Hussey was out on his own and H.H. Hussey, his son joined him in his solo career located at 81 New Bond Street. After a very successful career selling a lot of London best guns to Abercrombie & Fitch and others, H.J. moved on to his last location with Ogden, Smith & Hussey. (famous double rifles and rook guns came from this later pedigree in the early 20th century)

All the Hussey names since then, from Harrison & Hussey to the current Cogswell & Harrison had nothing to do with H.J. Hussey and was simply his good will being sold in the market.

In conclusion, 4 companies in a lifetime seems a small amount by my standards. (then again, I'm a consultant so I've had that many in a year before)

Recently recieved e-mail information form John Smith at the Internet Gun Club on my Hussey serial number 14216. He indicated the Order Date was 1906/07. This would be the date the gun was started. He did not have information on the delivery date.

John was very helpful. Recommend his services.

e-mail: archives@internetgunclub.com

http://www.internetgunclub.com/

Email Cogswell & Harrison and they'll likely have every detail about that gun on file.

Hi all, I also have a HJ Hussey Imperial SLE (SN: 14324) and I can say without a doubt a top quality piece, a true London "Best". I also e-mailed John and thru his sources stated that the gun was ordered 1906/07, not completed or delivered (Just like Tim's gun). He sent me a very nice e-mail about the history of HJ Hussey and did say that AG&L holds some of the records. He suggested that I ask Dig about the gun. Can't hurt to try.

Troy, does C&H have some of the Hussey records?

Thanks for a great post, very informative.

All the best!

Greg