doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who made my Leech SLE?

I'm seconding Daryl's call for Holloway based on the H prefix.

I have a G&S Holloway catalog from the 1920s. The triple leaf fences are only found on the Best SLE they offered, from Page 1 of the catalog.

The description:
"Top Lever, Treble Concealed Draw Bolt, Carved Leaf Fence with Stock Jointed up to the Fences, best Intercepting Sear Locks, Finest Damascus or Solid Chopper Lump Nickel Steel Barrels, Anson Push-down Forend Fastener, Handsome Figured Walnut Stock, Gold Oval, richly engraved Scroll with Flowers, with finest finish. Fitted with Southgate Ejector. 88 gbp"


As I look at the top 3 Holloway SLE offerings, this is the only model with the correct fences and lock plate shape. The 2nd tier SLE has floral fences and is stocked to the fences. The 3rd tier SLE has floral fences, but is not stocked to the fences and has a different lock layout.
I can scan and email a PDF of the page(s). Abby at Cornell has copies of my catalog for sale.

Joe

Just saw Lagopus post. Yes to No. 3900.

Joe

I have a Holloway built in 1924 and its barrel number H14572. If Holloway sequenced its barrel serial numbers, then your gun is very much earlier than 1922.

Lagopus and Joe, I would absolutely love to see a page of the catalog showing Holloway's 3900 model.

Bushveld, regarding the barrels, they measure .732 (proved at 12) and are clean with a 30 thousandths minimum wall thickness. Lockup is tight as well.

A gorgeous gun. Thanks for sharing your photos.

My catalog has on it:
Agents: Irish Free State -- Thos. H. Henshaw & Co., Dublin.

I checked online and The Irish Free State existed 1922-1937. That's the only date range I can put on my catalog. Since it offers Damascus barrels, I tend to lean towards the early 20's for an age.

In the UK, 8 thou takes you out of proof. A cleanup from .729 to .732 would make the bores clean and not put the gun at a risk of reproof. Someone was looking out for the gun.

Joe

For reference, the Leech serial numbers put it at 1922.

Agree it has been looked after. Well enjoyed, but not abused.

Very nice configuration and workmanship. I once a Leech while in the UK. Took it to West Wycombe UK for a shoot near the Churchill grounds back then. The Churchill guys told me that Churchill had excessive Damascus barrels well into the late 20's and made best SLE for the trade. He mention the engraving was a clone of the Churchill Imperial but this looks like a 7 pin. Could well be an aggregated trade weapon

Norm

Look up Chilton locks in the Boss book. There is a photo. You may be surprised. I think the pins are Chilton layout.

Joe

Joe, I believe the locks match up with the below Lang and Atkin SLE's:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/787939179

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/790689619