doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com any info would be great alex martin, k. davie

I am new to the site but i was wonduring if anyone can tell me anything on a K. Davey s/s and and Alex Martin s/s i have both but cant find too much info on either one.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X91odLA_4snbLhl9broqMQ?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u4wBOVHuIlO2LzucpZ08bA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gVFnmwY1rjNT32Qs9aanWA?feat=directlink

Alex Martin,Glasgow, Scotland, gunmaker 1837-1970.The gun illustrated is typical of the Inexpensive guns made in Birmingham, for the trade.These guns would be supplied completely finished,"or in the white," for finishing in the customers shop.[ie;Martins in this case]
The same is true of the gun marked K.Davey,likely a gunsmith with a business located in Elgin,Morayshire,Scotland.
Both of these guns are of little value and have minimal interest to the collector[ie:This class of gun often sold in U.K. auctions for less than $200]Provided that guns are in proof and otherwise sound, they should make satisfactory hunting guns.

Mr. Hebbes, please let me know when you see guns like this at auction for less than $200 i would enjoy owning several.thank you.

I too am very interested in what the experts here have to say about these two Birmingham boxlocks!! Lagopus, et al??

My understanding (or lack thereof) was that there were some of these trade-supplied Birmingham guns that were quite good quality, and supplied by makers including Webley, Scott and Greener. And some not-so-good "game-keepers" guns were supplied as well. Engraving and well-fit/finished figured wood were indications of the better ones.

From what the pictures show these look pretty nice, and I'd be happy to carry either in the field. And I've not seen anything like them for $200 in recent years.

Bryan

The British auctions have lots of guns like these at prices far lower than we see in the US. But, and it's a big but, the cost for getting them over here is high and it takes time.

i think these guns are of "little value", like a fox sterlingworth or an lc field or parker vh most of these guns have very good fit and finish.just because its plain doesn't mean it isn't a good gun.i have two of these a boswell and a grahm. mc

A series of recent article in the D.G.J. by Mr Diggory Hadoke detail the results of British Gun auctions. For example in the Spring 2009 edition, Diggory states that;" he purchased a nice quality Charles Ingram boxlock from the Scotarms auction for 45 pounds stirling, also two boxlocks similar to those seen on the post for 5 pounds each.He states that these guns will clean up with a little care and minimum expense".
Boxlock none ejectors in 12G are in my opinion the best value on the British market today. Many go unsold even at the prices levels illustrated above.As per Daryl,s comments the cost to ship to the U.S.A. is an important consideration and can add $2-300 dollars to the cost per gun.In omiting this added expense I am in error.

Mr. Hebbes, you are greatly underestimating the cost of importing a gun from the UK, unless you re just refereeing to the cost for a form 6 to be completed. I charge 300$ for the paperwork if I do not have to go to customs, add 200$ if Tack on shipping costs and the export broker on the UK side and the price gets high quickly. As to the 2 bocklocks shown.....better pictures would help a bunch.
Steve

As Daryl stated. If you want to shop the British dealers and auctions, then you have to be ready to pay the price.

There is another alternative if you want a British gun. Many "American" makers were sourcing their guns from Birmingham. One example that comes to mind is Clabrough. Clabrough sourced his guns from Scott. You can often find a Clabrough for around $1,000. There was one on GA a while back that sold for $500.

Pete

Pete,J.P.Clabrough opened his gun shop in San Fransico in 1867.In 1871 he established a gun making business @ 8,Whittal street, Birmingham.From this date they made their own guns. This factory is described in detail in Lawrence P. Sheltons, book "J.P.Clabrough & Bros -Gunmakers."