doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com British 12 ga waterfowl guns

I know bespoke guns could be made to whatever configuration the customer wanted, but what British makers produced 12 ga guns specifically marketed to the waterfowler? I'm thinking of guns similar to W.W. Greener's "Far Killing" shotguns.

Where there other makers that commonly produced heavy (7 lbs +), tightly choked 12 ga guns as common production items? How common were 3 inch chambers proofed for 1 1/2 oz loads in British made waterfowl guns post WWII.

I'm starting to look for a vintage, British made, heavy 12 ga waterfowl gun and wanted to see what someone might suggest looking for, for say under $5000 to start with.

I went on a similar search a few years ago, and eventually found a Gallyon-branded boxlock made by AA Brown. 3" chambers, heavy proofs and 30" barrels choked F/F. It weighs around 7.5 lbs. There are some around but not a lot. Pigeon guns could be a reasonable alternative though not many have 3" chambers. If you are willing to pay to import something from the UK, they are more prevalent over there.

W&C Scott. GE Lewis, G&S Holloway, Greener, Tolley, Midland, BSA, Vickers, Dickson, etc have all produced fowling guns, as have most all Brit makers. 3" chambers aren't common, but they are out there. Your best bet will be a heavy proofed, 2.75" chambered gun built for water fowling or finding a Brit short chambered wild fowler 10 bore. Boxlock guns will be easier to find than a sidelock, and personally I'd prefer the BL if it was my water fowler. If 5k is your starting point, you have a plethora of choices out there. Lots of inventory stuck in limbo at the moment and Brit waterfowlers are notoriously hard to sell for dealers/individuals.

G.E. Lewis was one of the guns Capt. Chas. Askins used testing Western Cartridge Co.'s new Super-X loads along with the A.H. Fox Gun Co.'s HE-Grade Super-Fox in the early 1920s.

I have a interest in English waterfowl guns also, I settled on a W&C Scott Monte Carlo B 10 gauge with steel barrels for $4K for my first purchase. They were comparable to a Parker BH in terms of price and quality back in the day. Today a Parker BH will cost you 3x to 4X a W&C Scott Monte Carlo in my opinion.
As has been stated US dealer can't move English guns so now may be an ideal time to buy. They are out there.I am headed to the CLA in Leeds England this summer and hope to add a English waterfowler to the collection. Good Luck

I have a G.E. Lewis and Sons 1927 vintage 'Wildfowl Magnum' that is nitro proofed, at 1-1/2 ounces, with 3" chambers. The bores are 13/1 and the 32" barrels are full and full. These guns were supposed to bag the birds at 70+ yards! It is a very plain A&D boxlock with no engraving. The gun still matches the original ledger entries, too.

every winter there is a wildfowling article in the The Field

and it seems that Lewis and Tolley are always among those mentioned as makers of the guns of foreshore

Flinfan, I've been looking and thinking about a SxS British 12 waterfowler too. Trying to think through what I'm going to do though with shooting the non-lead shells. Open up the chokes to Mod and Mod or perhaps just find one and have the barrels lined.

Craig that WC Scott is stunning!

Internet gun dealers will move some British guns if they bring their prices to within reason. IMO, it is cheaper and easier to buy from a reputable auction house than be bothered with the Internet gun dealer. I have seen numerous British guns over the last 2 years that were sold at auction houses that were subsequently advertised a few months later by Internet gun dealers for 3 or 4 times what the gun sold for at auction.

William Cashmore made Twelve Gauge doubles with 3 �� chambers that were proofed for 1 1/4oz �I think that one of the early Issues of Double Gun Journal had an article on these 3 �� doubles. Berrien

Thank you everyone for the responses, I have an idea what to look for now, and know what I want is out there.

My main duck gun has been a Parker D grade 10 bore which I love, even at it's 9 1/2 lbs. I have been looking for something a little more versatile to use for certain situations, hence my new search for a heavy 12 gauge.

1cdog, I love the tight chokes, but I load all my own bismuth shells as well. If you want to use steel, then yes, I would consider opening them up. I agree with your assessment of watching the auctions. If I stay vigilant I'm sure I will find something soon. Best of luck to you as well, here's hoping we don't bid on the same gun!