doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A Hoarder or a Collector

Which one are you?

If you were a hoarder then switched to collector what made you change?

I have been a hoarder for quite a number of years and have grown tired of the common boxlock and sidelock. Now I'm starting to specialize although that is difficult in Western Canada as there just aren't the number or variety of sxs available.

My dream gun is an English version of a 20ga backaction hammer gun with a Jones underleaver and 30" damascus barrels under 6 lbs. That has made me take an interest in backactioned guns and now my current focus.

It's all in your motivations.
I accumulated a hoard while in the early learning phase, and then began to streamline and specialize as I entered the later learning phase.

Some people focus narrowly to capitalize on narrower, deeper, interest and knowledge.

One person sees the lady with 50 cats as a disturbed psycho, yet another might see her as a great pet custodian.

Growing into OCD are we?

Tam, to stoke your interest here are some Reilly 20 bore under-lever, hammer guns from the Reilly database...three from Terry Buffum...auctioned recently - only one with 30" barrels unfortunately:

13033
https://www.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog.asp?aid=103285&p=16&sort=0

serial #13033, 20 bore, 29" barrels with very good bores that show a little scattered light pitting. This is a very nice quality shotgun that remains in very fine condition. The back action locks are engraved with folky gamescenes with gamebirds in wooded scene surrounded by scroll. The frame and top tang are engraved in fine relief scroll with another gamebird on top of tang between hammers. The engraving is also found on the lower tang, triggerguard bow (which is applied to the lower tang and not integral) and the opening lever. The condition of the gun is very nice with the barrels showing vivid damascus pattern their entire lengths and showing the New Oxford Street, London address on rib. The breech section of the rib shows decorative scroll engraving and there are lovely sunbursts emanating from the pinholes. The action and locks show a pleasing mix of smooth gray patina and faded color case-hardened finish. All engraving remains very crisp and there is about a 1" flaw in the rib within the barrel inscription. The checkered straight grip buttstock and forend are of beautifully figured English walnut and rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with sharp, coarse checkering. The checkering is beautifully executed being checkered without borders right to the locks. The smooth steel shotgun buttplate is an even gray patina with engraving at the heel. The shotgun comes in a period mahogany case with brass trimmed corners, locks and flush mounted round handle within lid. The interior of the case is properly labeled and the green lining is excellent quality more modern lining. The case includes a cleaning rod, pewter oiler and various cleaning implements. A handsome Reilly pinfire double gun. (17147-156) {ANTIQUE} [Terry Buffum Collection] (1500/2500)��SOLD FOR $1955.00




18536
Name: Illegible
Descriptions: Also have in my rack 18536, a 20b backaction hammergun. Jones Rotary Underlever, 30" Damascus barrels, horrid replacement wood, cross bolt forend, nice bold foliate engraving. Barrels out of proof and slotted. 6094 stamped on short rib. Top rib engraving illegible.
Comment: From Toby on the board.

No photo...ask Toby since he might still have the gun.


20396
http://historical.ha.com/itm/shotgun/dou.../a/6073-33262.s

Cased 20 Gauge E. M. Reilly Sidelever Hammer Double Barrel Shotgun. Serial no. 20396. 20 gauge. 26 1/4 -inch Damascus barrels with game rib marked: E. M. Reilly & Co., Oxford St., London. Casehardened sidelever action with bar action rebounding locks. Action and locks engraved with fine foliate scroll. Percussion fences. Checkered straight grip stock of figured walnut. Steel buttplate. Vacant oval. Checkered splinter fore-end with lever release. Leather trunk case with single brass lock. Brass plate on lid with: G. F. H. 90 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park. Red baize interior with later maker's label. Later three piece cleaning rod.
Data: Barrel Dimensions: Bores: 0.619/0.629 inches. Chokes: 0.004/0.029 inches (Cylinder/Full). Chambers: 2 3/4 inches. Minimum wall thickness: 0.021 inches. Proof: Birmingham Nitro Reproof. 15.7, 15.9, 20-70, 950 Bar. Stock Dimensions: Pull: 14 1/8 inches. Drop at comb: 1 5/8 inches. Drop at heel: 2 1/2 inches. Cast-off: 1/4 inches. Weight: 5 pounds, 4 ounces.
SOLD
2,500.00USD
+ (375.00) buyer's premium. + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2011 Sep 18 @ 06:37UTC-5 : EST/CDT




21883
http://www.amoskeagauction.com/109/1205.php

Name: E.M. Reilly & Co (side plates);
Descriptions: 20 ga, 25 1/2" matted rib barrels choked cylinder and cylinder with very good bores having light scattered pitting in both barrels. The barrels display a strong and lovely damascus pattern with the general surfaces toning to a pleasing brown patina, the barrel flats are marked "TATE GMKR IONE CA". The locks, frame and fences have been cleaned long displaying a bright pewter color, they display full coverage foliate scroll engraving; both sides are marked "E.M. REILLY & CO". The rebounding hammers
Comment: Terry Buffum collection;



26537
http://www.amoskeagauction.com/110/316.php

serial #26537, 20 ga, 28" solid rib barrels choked full and full with bright excellent bores. The barrels retain 99% professional added blue finish. The breech ends display a nice geometric scroll engraving and 2" wedges of foliate scroll at the breech end of the barrels. The lockplates and frame have been cleaned long ago displaying a bright pewter patina with some scattered pinprick pitting. They are embellished in a lovely tight foliate scroll engraving in about 85% coverage and having nice geometric borders. The hammers display a nice wolfs head engraving with open scroll retaining 99% of its added blue finish. The underlever and long tang triggerguard are nicely engraved retaining 99% added blue finish. The checkered walnut pistolgrip buttstock with flared shadowline cheekpiece rates excellent as refinished long ago displaying just a few light dings and scratches. The checkered walnut splinter forend with a horn insert tip rates very good displaying some added finish and handling marks. The buttstock is fitted with a horn widow's peak buttplate which provides a length of pull of 14 1/4" with drops of 1 1/2" and 2 1/4". A nice E.M. Reilly 20 gauge double hammer gun. (177147-170) {ANTIQUE} [Terry Buffum Collection] (1200/1800) SOLD FOR $2,070.00





27687
http://www.gavingardiner.com/bidcat/Cata...&offset=240

E. M. REILLY & CO.
A 20-BORE HAMMER GUN, NO. 27687
26-inch barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers, about improved cylinder and 1/4 choke borings, full length file-cut rib, the frame, non re-bounding backlocks, hammers and rotary underlever with lined border engraving, 14 1/2-inch figured stock with pistol grip, sling eyes, 7lb. 4oz., nitro proof, bores pitted

I began simply enough. I wanted a 'collection' of the American Classics ( Lefever, Ithaca, LC Smith, Parker and Fox) in field grade, usable condition. I figured I'd use them and trade up to better graded examples when I could.

Discovered there's lot more American Classics that the big five I mentioned above. Then realized I was wrong all along and shoulda concentrated on English guns.

No longer a collector cause I don't have a plan anymore. Not a hoarder cause I sell'em when I can. Disturbed psycho seems to fit best...Geo

Here's a Needham 16ga that otherwise fits your criteria. I sold it to another poster here because it was too light and kicked a lot...Geo

I�d classify myself as a collector and not a hoarder. My collecting has evolved over time, but is fairly narrow in scope. I started collecting Browning Superposed, then went to Model 21�s and now I concentrate on English guns. It�s impossible to master all the guns, so I stick with what I have some understanding of, and after making the mistakes along the way. For shooters, I don�t want pristine guns, but for collecting, high, original condition is what I pay attention to. The high condition guns, I may occasionally shoot a round of skeet with those guns, but I don�t hunt them. Shooters are much cheaper and are just fine for hunting, at least for me. Guess I�m saving the pristine ones for the next guy/caretaker??

I have gone back and forth between both over the years in guns and many other things. You buy what interest you until that interest wanes then move on to another or if it gets more intense you get into higher grade things or more expensive things.

My problem is that I like almost everything that does not have a black plastic stock. Doubles, pumps, single shots, small bore rifles. They all interest me to some degree.

It's going to be one hellofa yard sale when I die. Enjoy but don't try to figure out why I bought some of these guns.

Argo44,

Thank you. All very nice and well within price range. Unfortunately sold as you mention, but a couple of places to watch.

Geo,
I looked at that gun with quite some interest. A back actioned single barrel with rounded action that nicely blends into the contour of the barrel is real sexy. The thing that dissuaded me was the guage. I've never been inspired by the 16 ga.