doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Charles Osbourne 16 -new acquisition

Gentlemen,a recent addition to the stable that I thought you might find interesting as it has a rather unique treatment of the breech of the action.The obvious quality and the fact that it fit me perfectly left me no choice.A couple of pheasants last week confirms that it works.

Very pretty gun! The wood is rather nice too. With side clips and prominent fences I'm guessing a heavy proof gun? What does it weigh? Chokes? Barrel length? Any idea as to vintage? I can't blame you for taking her home with you. I likely would have done the same thing. A beauty, for sure.

Really a nice one Terry!

Very nicely finished. I would have guessed heavy proof, also.


Best,
Ted

Terry,
Your gun is built on the Wards target gun action, featuring Rylands patents #119,493 registered in 1917 and/or #122796 registered in 1918.The fences of these guns are a distinctive feature. The main springs in the action are coil.Charles Ryland did at one time work for Charles Osborne hence the business connection.
Some Target guns sold by Wards are also engraved with Wards trade mark usually found on the action flats, which as the name suggests features a roundel target.
A year or so ago I had the opportunity to inspect a mint version of your gun also a 16,G bearing the name Charles Osborne.
For more information on the Ward /Ryland gun see The ;British Shotgun Volume 3 By Baker and Crudgington, pages 180-181 and Shotguns and Gunsmiths by Boothroyd pages 46-49.
J.D.Dougall also made a pigeon gun with a trigger plate action that featured fences similar to those seen on the Ward[See British Shotgun Vol;2,page16
Nice gun!

Thanks for comments. The plot thickens Roy as I removed the bottom plate and it appears to be a normal Anson&Deeley boxlock
with leaf springs. Note the pin placement on the side of the action.I'm thinking the shape of the action is an Osbourne house style.Thank you for your research. Buzz, the specs are:30" steel
barrels x 2 3/4" x 1 0z. nitro proof.chokes R. .022 L. .025
weight 6 lbs.8 oz. 14 1/2" LOP Excellent bores and barrel wall.
Surprisingly it is a non-ejector which matters not to me. It will do duty for late season pheasants and sporting clays.

Terry,
I should have noted the A&D pins visible in the action, yet another of my seniors moments!
There is a strong possibility that Osborne purchased Ward action forgings, "in the in the white'" but made the gun up as an A&D. This would tie in with the connection of Ryland with both Ward and Osborne. It should also be noted that Ward and Charles Osborne, were near neighbors, both being located in the Birmingham Gun Quarter.

Very nice. Enjoy it. Engraving is quite nice too. BTW, does it have a stock bolt like that pictured in Crudgington?

No stock bolt. Just the normal A&D fastenings.

The fences look like photos of those I have seen on guns marked W. R. Leeson. Standard A & D guns, as well, I believe.