|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
5 members (canvasback, oskar, 3 invisible),
824
guests, and
4
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics39,493
Posts562,053
Members14,585
| |
Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 66
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 66 |
I've noted a few details over time that I gravitate towards examining when seeing a DBL gun for the first time. I wonder if I'm missing things someone else might find telling? Would like to know what others look for when inspecting a gun that says to them, the gun is "well made", or in excellent condition. Looking for quality of execution more than quantity in some cases. Here's a few things I notice:
1. Like to see the extractor/ejector fit so well in the breech face that the edges all but disappear.
2. On older guns, like to see the wood evenly standing a bit proud of the butt plate and rcvr metal.
3. Like to see wood along edges of top and bottom tangs as well as edges of rcvr clean and not oil soaked.
4. Like to see screw slots not deformed.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2 |
oil soaking has nothing to do with how well made a gun is....has to do with an owner that doesn't know what he is doing....
A high quality gun will have any visible screws timed...
gunut
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553 |
Apart from the general level of finish....metal to metal ,or to wood,,,, perhaps attention to detail where one normally might not look, ( though of course we would  ), like the short rib area under the fore end, that can be pretty crude on a cheap Gun....also a lovely pair of Locks is a good sign. I guess I dont really have a check list, just kinda look at all of it n count any Ugly bits against the nice bits cheers framc
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,158 Likes: 250
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,158 Likes: 250 |
I do understand that when it comes well manufactured guns especially the top line makers we would like to have everything looking as perfect as possible. But there is always a but isn’t there, so the gun in the pictures is one of the top guns in my collection and as you can see the screw heads are as wide as it is possible to get in fact you could lose a turn screw in the slots not to mention the canyon echo. Now it would be an easy thing to have pristine replacements made but this is possibly where my thinking differs from you folks on the other side of the pond. If I replace the screws I feel that I would be taking away some of the guns history and character, well it has been in continuous use more or less a hundred and fifty years as well as the evidence that the screws where butchered to accept non armours turn screws. Sometimes “warts and all” may not be a bad thing, also I feel I will miss looking down at the action top screw when I use the gun and my wondering what the reasoning behind the screw slots destruction was.  
The only lessons in my life I truly did learn from where the ones I paid for!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68 |
I first look at the gun (either a boxlock or sidelock) from an arms length distance. How do the lines and the edges flow and come together? I look at the trigger guard and the drop points, then the long tang. Many makers don't get these right. Only when I am finished looking at the gun in its whole aesthetic context, do I get into looking at specifics, if I even get to that point, before moving on.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,447 Likes: 278
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,447 Likes: 278 |
Who made the pictured bar in wood gun?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dewey Vicknair
Unregistered
|
|
Dewey Vicknair
Unregistered
|
I do understand that when it comes well manufactured guns especially the top line makers we would like to have everything looking as perfect as possible. But there is always a but isn’t there, so the gun in the pictures is one of the top guns in my collection and as you can see the screw heads are as wide as it is possible to get in fact you could lose a turn screw in the slots not to mention the canyon echo. Now it would be an easy thing to have pristine replacements made but this is possibly where my thinking differs from you folks on the other side of the pond. If I replace the screws I feel that I would be taking away some of the guns history and character, well it has been in continuous use more or less a hundred and fifty years as well as the evidence that the screws where butchered to accept non armours turn screws. Sometimes “warts and all” may not be a bad thing, also I feel I will miss looking down at the action top screw when I use the gun and my wondering what the reasoning behind the screw slots destruction was. I personally don't think that evidence of incompetent "gunsmithing", such as butchered screw slots, can be remotely considered to be in the same category as honest wear. Honest wear is just that,and adds character to the gun, but damaged slots, buffed frames and other things of that nature are nothing more than evidence that someone touched the gun who should not have been allowed to do so, and should be corrected. As far as what makes a gun "high quality", one must look below the surface. The quality of the inletting, of the internal metal surfaces, of the fits, these are some of the things that determine the quality. A Purdey or Westley Richards, in the white with no engraving, is still a best gun. It's not the ornamentation that makes it so.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 971 Likes: 41
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 971 Likes: 41 |
No matter the make, the brand value etc, a polished off patina disqualifies it. Nothing is more beautiful (to me anyway) than that matt grayish surface when the case hardening has faded. Nothing more barbaric than an old gun buffed bright.
As for the other bits- always check the ribs, the bores, the function and feel of the locks (especially in hammer guns) and signs of insensitive treatment/repair such as buggered screws and polish worn corners in eithr wood or metal, and rust. Well used guns are not allowed to rust.
The late Geoffrey Boothroyd mentioned the smell of a well used old gun. He had a point.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,971 Likes: 103
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,971 Likes: 103 |
The quickest down and dirty check of the build quality of a gun is to glance at one of the least suspected parts--the checkering on the top lever! If it is crudely or indifferently cut you can bet your bottom dollar much of the rest of the hidden parts of the gun are likewise. No, this isn't a fail proof test but it is darned close. Of course I'm speaking of hand cut work.
Remember the original poster asked for things to look for to determine original build quality, not current condition.
John McCain is my war hero.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 2 |
I'm quite young and don't have the expendable income that i should like to have to invest in fine guns so it depends on the gun and why i want it.
At this stage in life i look for metal work to be un abused or not overly worn.
Lock work that is crisp is a joy to use, worn poorly fitted lock work is functional at best and best avoided.
I accept pretty much anything with regards wood work however metal work should not be overly worn, and should show no sign of repairs, my view being that an acceptable repair is an invisible repair. Ribs preferably sound.
To right on that smell there is a certain smell have found similar smells on old fine furniture.
Obviously all the bores proof status etc and usual stuff most people expect from a gun.
Last edited by Demonwolf444; 06/21/15 11:45 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
