doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who made my Leech SLE?

Interested to hear theories on who made this gun. It is a Leech and Sons sidelock ejector manufactured in approximately 1922 with damascus barrels. It has Southgate style ejectors, a Purdey style third bite and bears what I believe are original London proofmarks.

I know Leech was not a maker but purchased guns in whole from the trade and retailed them under his own name.

There is another Leech on GI being being sold by Toby Barclay that he attributes to W&C Scott based on the features, however, this gun is very dissimilar excepting the sculpting of the action which I have seen on a few other Leech branded guns.

In any event, I would be interested to hear thoughts on who actually built this gun.

Pics:

Can you picture the forend shape and any marks on the underside of the barrels that may show barrel steel type ? Fence decoration is similar to guns advertised �for the trade� by Hollis Bentley and Playfair. Lock up is similar to their guns.

Daryl, I added a picture of the forend. Bottom of the barrels show "T.R." on the bottom rib and "H6275." As mentioned above, the barrels are damascus.

The H shows on guns by Holloway and Naughton. They were makers for the trade.

If the gun were by Hollis Bentley and Playfair, the shape and profile of the forend wood is somewhat unusual.

sculpting of the action, ejector, third bite and even engraving are very similar to a WJ Jeffery I owned. My research indicated my Jeffrey was made by Dan Leonard and Sons.

I saw that same sculpting on an Alfred Lancaster, on Joseph's guns, I think. I always assumed it was a Scott finsihed by Lancaster. Engraving looks near to identical.

Very nice gun, wherever it orginated. Good shooting and enjoy. These English/ Scottish guns are tough to beat aesthetics wise.

John

I cannot help with the 'who made it' question, but whomever it was it is a best gun without question...Geo

Thanks for the comments and potential leads. I can't find any sidelocks made by either Hollis or Holloway for comparison. Will start looking at Lancasters and Jeffreys. In any event, I am looking forward to busting some clays and hopefully some feathered birds with it as well!

Jeffreys bought from the Trade too rather than make actual guns. I have an old G & S Holloway catalogue in front of me and they were makers to the gun trade. The model No. 3900 is identical to yours in every respect but for the engraving on the lock plates but that feature may have been for special order anyway copying that popular by Holland & Holland for that period. I can photo copy the page and post it on to you if it is of interest. No date on the catalogue but would think early 1900's. Lagopus�..

If the barrels are as excellent inside, as is the outside of this Leech, then you have a jewel of significant value, my friend.

I envy you.