doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cogswell and Harrison Konar

I've been looking at a 20 bore boxlock Coggie with false sideplates. I don't know much about these guns. Are they reliable and well made. Do they have intercepting sears and chopper lump barrels? Any help would be appreciated. This particular gun is termed Konar. Thx. Buzz

I believe the correct name is "KONOR". Coggies of this type are an acquired taste. Aesthetically, they are much different from other "London" guns, they have a look all their own. I have owned a few Coggies in the past and I like them. The guns are well made, well finished, and handle very nicely. I particularly like the ergonomic shape of the forend. If feels great in the hands. If the ejectors/assisted opening system is working properly (ie no one has monkey'd with it and muck'd it up), and there's not excessive play in the top lever, the gun should be as sound as a pound. I mention the top lever because the gun has a design flaw that has to do with the spindle and bolt, there is a weak spot and sometimes there can be excessive play in that area..its a easy fix, but it something to look for. I do not believe the barrels are chopper lump, but of dovetail lump construction, the barrels might read "ARCUS" steel on the bottom, or it may not. If the gun is in good condition, is on the face and mechanically sound, and priced right, it is probably the best deal out there for a "London" gun.

Dustin

Dustin. Thankyou. You were very helpful. I was told this particular gun has Birmingham proofs. Make any sense? Do you know if they have intercepting sears? Thx. Buzz

I don't think they have intercepting sears. I do not recall ever seeing one with pins on the action to hang the intercepting sears. I'm not 100% on that though. Regarding Birmingham proofs....sure it could have them, if the gun was rebarreled or if it had barrel work done and needed re-proofed, other than that, Coggies carry London proofs.

Dustin

In Terry Wieland's book Vintage British Shotguns, Jack Rowe indicates that the Konors were made in B'ham at S. Wright & Sons. Rowe stated of the Konor and the Avant Toute models: "Having worked on many of them [myself], I can vouch that you will not find a better-made boxlock anywhere."

I have catalog copy from C&H, and the Konor does not show a pin or screw where it would need to be for the gun to have intercepting sears. They were one of relatively few British makers to make a fair number of sideplated boxlocks. (Hellis was another.) And C&H get the prize for coming up with the all-time best term for their sideplates: "ornamental strengthening plates".

In the early 60's, the Konor sold for $532, compared to $448 for their "Blagdon" model, which was a standard, non-sideplated boxlock. At the same time, a Webley & Scott Model 700 went for $248.

Webley's made a number of Konor guns for Cogswell's in the 1970' ,both finished and in the white .As a boxlock they would not have had chopper lump barrels or intercepting sears,as I dont think any one fitted them since before to WWII.

Thanks guys for the input regarding this question. Much appreciated!