doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com HJ Hussey Imperial SLE

Hi all, interested in a discussion on this model. I know about the "interesting" facts concerning Hussey himself, but I'm interested in the gun not the man.

I know that Jack Rowe spoke very highly of the Imperial and Hussey guns in general. In fact he states that he rates the Imperial as the equal of any of the other London makers.

So.......what's your take on the Imperial?

Thanks so much!!

Greg

Never owned, looked at one or handled one. Wish I could help.

Bought one at Julia's auction a couple years back and have been happy with it. Mine has dove tailed barrels instead of chopper lumps. Came cased and made sometime between 1900 and 1908. I think they are a nice gun and usually priced less than the big 3 with close to the same quality.

Great guns -- if they're original and unmessed with. I've seen some that are nice as any top London gun.

I've seen others that have been buffed, honed, and refinished to junk.

Like a lot of English stuff, a lot of the ones you see have been messed with - bad bbls, re-bbls, etc.

Once that happens, who knows.

As always, they have to be judged individually.

OWD

Hussey Imperials are the equal of anyone of the better known names. A friend is contemplating one at the moment with two sets of barrels and made as live pigeon gun. If it's in good shape just think of it as a Holland but a lot less money. Lagopus.....