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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 201
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 201 |
Thinking of purchasing a either a W&S 12 gauge or a Manton 1910s BLE manufactured 12ga. Guns are if similar measurements, tight and on face and fit.
The W&S was manufactured in the 1950's. The gun is mechanically sound and unaltered. Overall condition is very good and the price is reasonable. Its a plain Jane gun but I'm looking for a field gun and occasional clays gun and don't mind that.
The Manton was manufactured in the 1910s, has some engraving ( well done) on the receiver, re blacked bbls and hardware. Stock has some dings and handling marks but no cracks, mechanically sound gun. It's $300 more than the Webley.
As the guns are quite similar in weight, measurements and fitt decision comes down to which will be a more rugged, long lived gun for me.
Any ideas on these two makers and guns?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96 |
Made in the 1950's it could be the Model 700. If it is good condition and has been looked after it should be a good rugged workhorse gun that will last, if cared for, for several generations. You will find Smallbore on this forum is a fan of 700's. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,731 Likes: 490
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,731 Likes: 490 |
Unless you can have the barrel wall thickness measured on both guns I would buy the one which has not been refinished. If the Maton had the bores honed or the outside restruck when reblacked they might be rather thin. Safe to shoot with proper loads but easily dented thin barrels are a problem in a field gun. And both guns should be shot only with proper loads for their proof. Not factory Anerican shells with 11k psi. Be kind to old guns and they will be kind to you.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 12 |
Manton is of course a famous name ..... but by 1910, John & Joseph Manton were long gone and the gun is likely to be a 'trade' boxlock, probably made in Birmingham, but possibly Belgian. Chances are that its an 'inexpensive' base gun. Some Manton guns bear a Calcutta address as the firm (that owned the rights to the Manton name) was based there for a time.
Webley & Scott on the other hand are good sound guns, though joint pin wear can be a little harder than average to correct as the pin is fixed (I think).
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
If the W&S you are considering is a model 700 and if it is in good condition and in proof, the real world present day price should be about $2,500...Geo
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
Hands down best bet will be the Webley 700. Just about as bullet proof as any Birmy boxlock ever made. Usually very plain wood but layed out well for strength. The Southgate styled ejectors are very reliable. Chambers are probably 2 3/4", and barrels are strong.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,380 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,380 Likes: 105 |
Agree with everything said about the Webley. That'd be my choice as well.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Joined: Jan 2013
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 195 |
Fine well made for hard work guns but could I just add that some of the early Webley & Scott 700s where made with 2˝ inch chambers rather than 2ľ inch so you will do well to look at the proof marks.
The only lessons in my life I truly did learn from where the ones I paid for!
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553 |
good luck with your choice..are they both in Montana by any chance?
cheers
Franc
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