I've recently purchased a CG Bonehill Challange shotgun. It's a beautiful Birmingham boxlock, case colored, POW grip, 30" barrels w/ 2.75" chambers, nitro proofed, choked Full and Modified (it's stamped as such as opposed to traditional British form). It's a beautiful gun and I really like it. It'll be a dove killer for sure. What I don't have is information about the maker. I know they were in business from 1851-1960 and that most of the records were either destroyed or lost after they closed shop. I know that they had their guns made in London by the likes of W&C Scott towards the end of the companies life, and that they were fairly famous for their hammer guns.
Per the proof markings, this gun was made between 1921 and 1954, proofed in the Birmingham Proof House naturally. I BELIEVE I've found a date code on the gun and per some information I've found on the Griffin and Howe website, it dates the gun to 1939. That sounds about right given some of the other features on this shotgun. It screams pre-war British.
At any rate, I'd love any information that anyone has on this gun, this company, or about Birmingham shotguns in general.
I'd love to post some pictures. If someone can explain to me how I'd be happy to do so.
Thanks in advance!!!
