doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com "Field. London." - searching for info

Would anyone have information about a "Field. London." gun?
SLE
12 bore
30"
2 5/8" chambers
Cyl/Full
Damascus
Nitro proof to 1 1/8 oz

Only text on the top tin says "Field. London.". Serial number looks to be 378 and is stamped on the bottom rib, immediately forward of the forend hook.

Got it today from a very nice fellow, and it should make for a great project. Thanks!

"I have a 1910 Beretta catalog. Beretta was purchasing barrels from many sources. Among them Alfred Field of London, WC Scott, Krupp and Cockerill.

I know all these except Alfred Field. Any information would be helpful.





"

It doesn't read Alfred Field, London?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

It only says "Field. London."



And the flats:

Alfred field & Co. Had premises in Birmingham at Edmund St. Between 1885 and 1901. They also had a London address 1892- 93
Info is from books by Nigel Brown.
I looked them up a while back after I was offered a gun bearing that name which I'm sure was made a lot later than those dates. I'll see if I can find the pics. (It may have been re-barrelled)
There were other "Field's" but non seem to have had a London address.
Are there any other proof marks on your gun ? I think the marks are from later than 1893 as they have oz stamps.

Here's a few more images: serial number forward of the lump, another mark near the lump, the forend iron stating a patent, and the water table that states "Fields Patent".

Thank you. Perhaps is was reproofed, and received the ounce stamp at that time?

Good point, maybe it was nitro proofed . I'm not sure when the reproof stamp came in but can't see one.
I think they're Asbury initials on the barrels and Baker (ejector) patent on the fore end. It's London or Birmingham crown/lion stamps that seem to be absent. It's a bit of a puzzle, it all looks British apart from that I hope someone with more info will chime in soon.

I can't find a reference to a field's patent in the books I have at the mo. I wonder what it was.

This is great info. I don't know who Asbury was, or anything about Baker style ejectors, but now I have something to look into to learn more.

There is a faint mark on the water table, in front of the left fence; maybe that was the crown/lion.

I'm only just starting to learn about British guns, and even limiting my search this last weekend to Birmingham, Edinburgh, or Dublin guns, I found nothing I could afford until this one.

El Garro, since you black barrels, I was wondering: were British damascus barrels ever black/white as opposed to brown? I'm refinishing these barrels, and I prefer black/white. I'll do what looks best to me, since this is not going to be a "restoration", but I was wondering about British damascus ever being other than brown. Thanks.