I have this hammergun in my possesion, the only markings on it are " E Whistler 11 Strand London". There are proof marks on the barrel flat but my camera wont pick them up. Can anyone tell me more about this gun? Its worth or anything would be greatly appreciated. [img]]http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac314/zdewayne89/100_0418.jpg[/img]

It's not worth much.

Whistler Edward,from Vaughn.Silver-smith,Pawnbroker & dealer in guns & pistols.11 Strand,London 1844-75.became Edward Whistler & Co;1876-1957.Agree with HomlessjOe, this example is of minimal value likely $50-75.

No London hammergun is worth that little, you must be joking, right? Any working hammergun can be sold here for over $100, even a JABC.
With kind regards,
Jani

Really! If that Whistler is a British gun and the bores are not pitted and the barrels have no thin spots and overall condition is "Not Bad", I might pay $1,200 dollars for it, subject to inspection.
Jones underlever guns are sought after, I am looking for one.
It's only Italian cheap repro 1853 Enfields I really hate!
Mike

Whistler was a dealer not a London gunmaker. The gun was more than likely made for Whistler in Birmingham. We can see from the pictures that the gun has roughly made replacement stock and fore end.The cost of restocking and restoration[assuming that the barrels are in proof]would exceed the value/cost of hammer guns that show up in U.K.auctions.
For Example, in Bonhams auction of 29 July 2009 lot 175 a 12G hammer gun by L.C.Smith sold for $540.Lot 178 described as parts of a Westley Richards 12G hammer gun[ie; barrels out of proof]sold for $120.
Sound hammer guns can still be purchased at country gun auction sites for far less than $1200

You're too generous.

if i was podunk id get my passport out and hand deliver it to mr. hebbes personally.

The locks[If in working order] complete with hammers and any origional screws would beworth $50 to me. The action barrels and stock I would treat as scrap.

Well I guess I should have put my reading glasses on to look at the crappy pic of Whistler's crappy gun! Roy's correct, salvage some screws (always very handy) and the locks.
Thank heavens for 3-day inspection priviledges!!
Mike

Are you fellows pulling my leg? Ive been told by a couple of smiths that this gun is worth good money. As I know little about the subject I am doing my homework.

Recommend that you ask your gunsmiths to firm up their "good money" offers and let us know their valuations.

Is there a reference for proof marks and engravings on guns like this?. Im not terribly concerned with its value as much as I am its history.

Unfortunately these fellows are not pulling your leg as the very poor restock job makes the gun undesirable and unsaleable to most knowledgeable buyers.Difficult to see from your pics anything about the quality and condition of the gun.If the action is tight, and the bores and barrel wall decent, it might be a restock project but probably a money pit. Walk away my friend from this gun and your "knowledgeable smiths", and look for a clean , original, example if you want to get into old doubles. You made a very good move contacting this forum before doing anything rash.....

Terry,Hope your good advice is taken to heart,Roy

sorry mr. hebbes i ment mr bonner in my comment. i hate getting old! again my apolagise

Yea, especially the part about the "money pit"....From the sound of things his "smith" advisor is eager help him start digging.

Im not planning on putting any money into the gun. I actually have little or no interest in side by sides, this gun was left to me and I wanted to see what it was worth. Thanks for your replies fellas.

Don't waste too much time on this fellow. On another board, with identical pictures, the gun is described as "E Thistler II Strand London. " Don't know the real story.

Thanks for the vote of confidence sir, I mistakenly read "whistler" as " Thistler". The real story is that the gun has been in a display case in my grandparents dinig room for 20 years and I looked to the best sources available for information about its origins. I assure you this will be my last dealings with the double guns forum for sure. For those of you who gave honest and straight forward answers I thank you.