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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12 |
Over the past several years I've relied on you guys to give me advice on potential purchases. All of it good. I've bought a few Fox's, a Parker, and a some others by reading and/or asking what the experts have to say. I'm back for some more advice.
I've always dreamed of owning an English "Game Gun". Pretty rich for my blood most of the time. If I could afford it the condition was pretty bad.
Bottom line is that I've finally run into someting I think I can afford but don't know much about it, much less what it's worth. I need help. It's not a Purdey, but it is pretty nice to my eyes.
Specifics are: Webley & Scott Ltd. SxS, 12 gauge, box lock, 27 1/2 barrels (appear uncut), 2 5/8 chambers, nitro proof 1 1/4, straight stock, double triggers with ejectors, 14 1/2 LOP, modern drop dimensions, 3/8 cast off, chokes of .007 and .015 ( per my vernier). Bore dia. are approx. .730 right and left. Weight is 6# 4oz. Action is tight, on face, and the lever is right of center. Serial number places date of manufacture as 1922. Looks a lot like a more modern model 701 ( tear drops, quite a bit of engraving) but I suspect it to be a model 400. Condition is very good. I estimate it at 90%. Metal and wood. Everything seems to work.
I know pictures are invaluable but I don't have any.
This is a private sale, no shop, auction site, etc involved. The gun has been in storage for quite some time.
I'm hoping a few of you can chime in with fact based opinions, data etc. to aid my decision making.
I also would like to get an idea what I should be paying for it. Asking prices on web sites and books don't seem to reflect actual sales prices in the real world. I didn't reveal the asking price because I wanted your opinions on what it is worth. I don't suspect I'll be "stealing it".
Thank you all in advance for reading and your guidance. TomR
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617 |
I'm gonna put my neck on the line here and suggest that if the bores are clean and there's ample wall thickness, the screws aren't chewed and the hinge looks unbutchered, it'll probably be a good workhorse which could last for years and years if it's looked after. It'd be nice to let a good gunsmith give it the once over if the seller agrees to it.
Rust never sleeps !
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1 |
Tom, as a webley fan, i'd advise you to snap it up. Webley never made a bad gun that i can think of. Also webley made and did work for a lot of higher end gunmakers, their products were excellent. I have no experience of the new turkish stuff though.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
Tom, from your description I'd go along with your supposition that the Webley & Scott you've found is the model 400. Great guns. The one you're looking at sounds like a great bird gun! I don't know what the price should be but I would expect you'd be getting a fair deal between $2,500 and $3,000...Geo
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,857 Likes: 384
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,857 Likes: 384 |
i have a 400, great gun, screw grip,a lot more work went into 400s than 700s and webleys are great guns if in good condition.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,756 Likes: 748
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,756 Likes: 748 |
Wasn't there a 500 model from about that era, also? Some of the earlier models have bushed strikers, a nice feature.
Nice guns, but, condition is king on pricing, and I can't see it. Good Luck, anyway.
Best, Ted
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
Tom, I'd take issue with on Brit game guns need be pricey. The W&S you are asking about is a prime example. Just about any Brit gun weighing 6 1/2# in 12 bore will be a game gun; your prospective gun would actually be considered a light game gun.
Value. W&S is Brand Value level three - BV3. The gun itself will fit to "second level boxlock ejector" - Original Quality grade six - OQ6. Nice, serviceable gun with no apologies needed, but not a "best work" gun, either. Current Condition level sounds like "significant use;" CC3.
BV3-OQ6-CC3 = $2,320. Make it plus/minus $500 and you have the likely envelope of possible values.
Hope that is of some value to you.
DDA
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202 |
Are we sure those guns came with 27 1/2" barrels ?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 452
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 452 |
Friend of mine had the same W&S moved to Parkers and put it up for sale. I shot it a lot and now wish I had bought the gun. At the time all I could think about was Parker, English game gun like the W&S handles different. Now I appreciate how good they are with the right loads.
Boats
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 84
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 84 |
"TomR," a Webley & Scott, especially of that era, is an excellent boxlock gun and a well-made choice. I have shot and owned a number of them over the years and each always did the job to hand and handled as well as any other gun, even comparatively much more expensive boxlock guns, if the stock dimensions were usable for me and the mechanics were as they should be.
I understand this transaction would be private sale, which means you can probably make a very good deal. Condition will, as has already been said here, control price. If you are seeking advice, my advice would be to locate a well-known and established vintage / antique gun gunsmith and take the gun to him for a complete cleaning and professional review. And I would make the purchase and the price paid contingent upon that expert's opinion. In tendering $250-300 for this service, you will save yourself a lot of concerns over unanswered questions and cure doubts, as well as understand the true value of what is on offer for potential purchase.
Good luck!
Regards,
Edwardian
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