doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Reilly 28 ga. SxS at Southam's - Original Pinfire?

This 28 bore SxS is for sale at Southam's.

https://www.southamsauction.co.uk/a...alse&sd=0&pp=48&pn=1&g=1

The address is wrong of course - it is 277 New Oxford street, not 227. The SN is allegedly 24716 which would date the gun to very late 1882- early 1883. However, the engraving looks early-mid 1860's and it sure looks like it might have originally been a pin-fire. Opinions? I will ask Southam's to confirm the SN.

Gene,

I have seen that style of fence carried over to hammerless guns like this J V Needham built by W W Greener:-



The 28 bore at Southams looks to me as having been built as central fire although the Victorians clearly felt it economic to convert muzzle loaders to breech loaders let alone pin-fires to central fire.

From the depth of the fences I would believe it to be an original central fire, though the style is reminiscent of the pin-fire. The shape of the lock plate where it abuts the action is different from the only Reilly pin-fire I have, if that means anything (see below). I'll be interested in hearing what you get back from Southam's.

I wish you'll win the auction and enjoy a lot with that beautiful 28 ga!

I've read over Southham's web site. No mention of how or if they handle export for USA buyers. Has anyone purchased from them before? And if so how easy of a process was it?

I unfortunately can't bid on this one. I used SKB as an export agent last time I bought a gun in UK. That gun is an antique by US standards and if you were in UK and UK authorities would allow it, you could put it in your luggage. Southam's has not responded to my email question about the gun. I see you can ask for a condition report.

Pinfires are due to them needing obsolete hard to find ammunition not regulated to be listed on the UKs shotgun certificate so are classed as a wall hanger only until you have obtained ammunition for it then it falls under the SGC regulations so exporting one as a package should be the same as sending a camera or book and as it is older than 1898 makes it an antique under US law.

I have purchased plenty of guns from Southam's, no different than any other gun auction in the UK.

The rules have changed some regarding what is an antique for export purposes coming out of the UK. The firearm now must be made before1890 to be considered an antique for export from the UK, not a big deal. I have my exporter get a SIEL(export permit) for any 1890 or newer guns.

That first pic appears to have the firing pins removed.

What a pitty!

I tried to bid on a beauty 28 ga in last Holt's auction, but finally I couldn't because of arms regulations and obstacles in Spain.