doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinions please.

What do you think of this gun? I am thinking of buying it but would like the advice of the forum before going ahead with the deal. Best -JB

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conten...requestid=11509

Looks like a great gun to me; other options might be a quality SLE Spanish gun. Chopperlump

Looks OK, but there's a lot not mentioned in the listing.

You need to know the bore measurements, bbl wall thicknesses, and chamber lengths. Also, any dents, dings, pitting or bulges in the bbls?

I would check the length of the choke cones, too. The bbls on English guns tend to be 25", 26", 28", or 30". While some makers did offer 29" bbls (like Woodward and Boss), they're not common. Check to be sure those are not cut.

If the gun is in it's original case, take a look at the bbl compartment and see if it has been adjusted. The bbls should fit snugly at both ends, with no gaps, and they should go to the edges of the case without a spacer.

Bores size and chamber lengths will tell you if it is proof, or out of proof. And you don't want bbl walls below .024".

Also, you need to know if it is tight and on the face and if the ejectors work and are timed right. Check the trigger pulls, too.

Where in the US are you? I would never buy a nice gun without having a qualified 'smith inspect it first. Tell us where you are and we can recommend one for you.

Good luck,

OWD

JB,
If thats the same Wanless 16 that was at the Lavista, NE gun library, I'd pass. It has a couple issues. Ask for more detailed pics, especially of the bottom of the stock where it meets the receiver and if I remember right, it has a cracked forend too, it might have been repaired, but I remember the gun having several issues.

Dustin

It's a pretty gun, but those chokes are too open for my taste. Looks like a wood patch has been nicely inlaid on the right side of the stock below the cheek, and the forend color does not match the butt stock, so one or the other may not be original (maybe new wood, maybe just new finish).

Offer them 2500 and a seat in the senate. Also ask for a 3 day inspection

bill

Cheap. That's me. But, a boxlock, even a decent one, without a name, is still a nameless boxlock.

It would have to be REALLY special to go for more than 3 large. Thus, I agree with Bill-$2500 is more than generous.

Best,
Ted

$2,500.00 and a jar of Vaseline, cause it's gonna hurt!

binko

Be sure to ask about "Buffered firing pins". They proly mean the firing pins are held into the face of the action by a bushing.
PS. I would pass on this ole' thing.

Looking at the proof marks it looks as if it may have been re-proofed in London in 1985. It is an ejector ans appears to have intercepting sears. Certainly looks nice but would have to be fully checked out. Seems pricey to what it would fetch back home in the old Country. Lagopus.....

First thing that bugs me it has 29" barrels. Odd. Then the chokes are too open for most of my shooting. Then the fore end needs to have glass bedding added to fill in the gap that looks like a good 1/16" space.

This is a gun you need to measure the bores and wall thickness on before you start getting into prices. Out of proof you pass by as fast as you can. Chamber cut to 2 3/4", which I suspect, pass on by. It is not like you have a 12 bore and can drop a set of Briely 20 gauge companion tubes and have a gun you can still use. Either the gun is right you you keep looking. And I agree that they will have to take about a grand less than the asking price.

many americans feel english hare droppings are french truffles in disguise. at the price listed this thing is going to be at $abela's very long time.

29" is not so odd on turn-of-the-century English doubles. I've owned a few at that length. They work just fine, but, I'd prefer to know the gun came that way when new. Mine all did.

It would be my guess the gun isn't going anywhere, as well.
Best,
Ted

"It would be my guess the gun isn't going anywhere,"

That's probably why it's still there and they have a new lower price on it...but not low enough.

binko

It IS the Wanless that was at LaVista. It has about 3/8" of cast ON, the 29" barrels are original, it's been at at least 4 different stores I know of, and they are BURIED in this gun.

sv

Hey Stevie-V, how you doing!?? Drop me a email sometime, tell whats new with you.

I thought that was the gun I saw there. I have to say, that Wanless looks alot nicer in the pics than it does in person, it has many issues, and thats just externally, who knows whats going on with the guts. It is a high grade small bore English gun though, not too many of those around. Though not as high grade as this Wanless...the LaVista G.L. had a very nice 16 bore Webley & Scott that I thought was a better gun than the Wanless, not as fancy...but it was a nice example, I believe Hill Rod and Gun imported that particular W&S. Nice gun.

Dustin

Well, The gun is a basket case as many of you have stated. My search for a 16ga english double will continue. Thanks for all the replies, JB

It is the same gun they had at La Vista. Thought it was overpriced there. They've dropped it considerably since then, and expect they'd be open to a reasonable offer. Maybe not $2500, but I wouldn't want to offer $2850 if I wasn't ready to reach for my wallet.

I looked at it recently, but not in any great detail. It definitely is a quality boxlock with intercepting sears, dating from the 1896-1904 period with 1980's reproof. The only issue I spotted in the fairly quick look I took is that it's slightly loose. Also I seem to recall there's a bit of cast on for the lefty, but it seemed to come up right for me when I mounted it. Don't recall any wood issues, but then I didn't look that hard this time.

come now $2850 for that tired ole' thing. with that list price of $3250 it's name should be changed to wanTless or givless.
why bother with 16ga when 12ga english game guns are light enough? not even ardent member of 16ga.com is going to buy that one.