doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinion on Linsley Bros

Hi all, whats your opinion on this English maker? I may be cutting my throat here, but Thad Scott has one in 16ga, looks nice and seems to be a good price.

Thanks!!!

Greg

The name has Brand Value level three (BV3). They made a wide range of Original Quality grade guns. Price comes from a combination of Brand Value level, Original Quality grade, and Current Condition level. Remember, the brand name does not tell you much about the original quality of the gun.

I've been in Linsley's shop a lot between 95-98. They had a room upstairs that had about 100 guns or so ranging from 30 pound single shots to some very nice H & H, Purdey's and so on. If they ever made guns they no longer do and haven't for years. Talking to Tim, an employee at the time, I don't think they ever did. Could have been feed the wrong info, but I think that most were trade made guns that they finished/embellished. The Linsley marked guns that I have seen have all been lower to medium end boxlocks.

A few years ago a pair of Linsley sidelock ejectors sold at auction. They were dead ringers for H and H Royals. Nice guns

Boothroyds book, "The Directory of British Gunmakers",Provides a detailed history of Linsley operations/ownership. According to Boothroyd, the business was established in 1780 and the Leeds location continued until 1993. It is clear that in their early days Linsleys did make guns.However as is the case with many old established gunmakers, later guns were undoubtedly made for them in Birmingham.The Boothroyd article includes a reprint of a very impressive Linsley case label which states, they were also Taxidermists and Furriers.

According to an article in The Upland Almanac Linsley Brothers gun firm has been in business for 225 years. It was actually founded by William Calvert of Leeds in 1780, but George Linsley acquired the firm in the 19th century. The article goes on the say that like other Birmingham gunmakers Linsley bought from the trades, "but only from the highest skilled and accomplished free tradesmen and their guns reflect the fact.

Control passed from George Linsley to Steward Mackie and upon Stewards death in 1937 his daughter took over and she already had 20 years in the business.

They made many fine doubles throughout their history and are perhaps best known for their 12 bore boxlock 2" double game guns. The craftsman shaped and matched a 20 gauge action to a specially built 12 guage steel barrel and the lightest walnut they could find. The end result was a 5 lb to 5 lb 5 oz gun that shot 3/4 oz or 7/8 oz loads. Popularity for the gun faded after WW II. A gun like this might bring $5,800 to $6,200.

This does not tell you much about a 16 ga, but the article does talk the maker up. As so many say you really need to buy the gun, but it sounds like they were a highly respected maker.