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

Interested to hear theories on who made this gun. It is a Leech and Sons sidelock ejector manufactured in approximately 1922 with damascus barrels. It has Southgate style ejectors, a Purdey style third bite and bears what I believe are original London proofmarks.

I know Leech was not a maker but purchased guns in whole from the trade and retailed them under his own name.

There is another Leech on GI being being sold by Toby Barclay that he attributes to W&C Scott based on the features, however, this gun is very dissimilar excepting the sculpting of the action which I have seen on a few other Leech branded guns.

In any event, I would be interested to hear thoughts on who actually built this gun.

Pics:

Can you picture the forend shape and any marks on the underside of the barrels that may show barrel steel type ? Fence decoration is similar to guns advertised �for the trade� by Hollis Bentley and Playfair. Lock up is similar to their guns.

Daryl, I added a picture of the forend. Bottom of the barrels show "T.R." on the bottom rib and "H6275." As mentioned above, the barrels are damascus.

The H shows on guns by Holloway and Naughton. They were makers for the trade.

If the gun were by Hollis Bentley and Playfair, the shape and profile of the forend wood is somewhat unusual.

sculpting of the action, ejector, third bite and even engraving are very similar to a WJ Jeffery I owned. My research indicated my Jeffrey was made by Dan Leonard and Sons.

I saw that same sculpting on an Alfred Lancaster, on Joseph's guns, I think. I always assumed it was a Scott finsihed by Lancaster. Engraving looks near to identical.

Very nice gun, wherever it orginated. Good shooting and enjoy. These English/ Scottish guns are tough to beat aesthetics wise.

John

I cannot help with the 'who made it' question, but whomever it was it is a best gun without question...Geo

Thanks for the comments and potential leads. I can't find any sidelocks made by either Hollis or Holloway for comparison. Will start looking at Lancasters and Jeffreys. In any event, I am looking forward to busting some clays and hopefully some feathered birds with it as well!

Jeffreys bought from the Trade too rather than make actual guns. I have an old G & S Holloway catalogue in front of me and they were makers to the gun trade. The model No. 3900 is identical to yours in every respect but for the engraving on the lock plates but that feature may have been for special order anyway copying that popular by Holland & Holland for that period. I can photo copy the page and post it on to you if it is of interest. No date on the catalogue but would think early 1900's. Lagopus�..

If the barrels are as excellent inside, as is the outside of this Leech, then you have a jewel of significant value, my friend.

I envy you.

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

And its twin, in case anyone is interested:

https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns/a...140513095237012

Is there number on the short rib . Most guns built by Holloway had a number prefixed with the letter H.

Yes, H6275, I have been trying to get in touch with Chris Holloway to confirm if there are any existing records on the gun but cannot locate current contact information for him (the information in Nigel Brown's book is outdated).

Actually managed to get in touch with Chris Holloway, he did not have access to the full records (in storage), but was able to provide the following from the ledgers (that I could read):

Retailer: 535 (Leech and Sons)
Serial: 6275
Barrels: Best Damascus
Action: Stanley 31745
Price: �100 (this is even higher than the �88 list price in the 1925 catalog)
Description of Action: Treble Concealed
Fence: Leaf
Locks: (Illegible) Ejector
Engrave: BLANK
Finished: BLANK
Sold: 30-May-1908

As you can see, the features match up very well with the model 3900 in the 1925 G&S Holloway catalog and the features on my gun even though it was made much earlier.

Thanks to all who rendered assistance in chasing this information down. Very excited to have it!

Dan, good on being able to find that information.

Can you give the contact info on Chris Holloway. I have a nice James Kirk that was apparently done by them.

I am a bit unclear on the differences between G and S Holloway, and Holloway and Naughton. I thought the latter marked their gun with an H before the serial number for guns they made for others.

Daryl, I believe it is the G&S Holloway guns that carry the "H" prefix, or at least mine does.

I will find and send you the contact info.

Holloway & Sons and G&S Holloway used the H prefix as did Charles Osborne. Which makes it confusing as Osborne and Holloway trade guns are very similar!