Courtesy of Matthew Brown, a very finely photographed F Beesley

Tim

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And courtesy again of Matthew Brown, a very finely photographed Lang & Hussey

Tim

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And again, finally for today, courtesy of Matthew Brown, a very finely photographed WW Greener

Tim

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The Beesley is one of three? Is the trio still together?

Nope. It was made as a one off and subsequently made up a composed trio.

Tim

Is the Greener one of their modern Damascus efforts or an older gun. I want that one.

It is one of a pair, numbers 69926 & 7. That makes it their modern gun. Looks good, though!

Tim

Is the Greener a twenty? Barrel looks small.

SRH

Might as well go for the gold, Stan, it looks like a 28 to me. A neighbor of mine has a bit of a relationship with Greeners and has had some ridiculous guns made recently, like double rifles and Damascus shotguns. I have only seen one 28 gauge sidelock, but some day I may get to see the others.

While I was in Europe on a business trip a couple of weeks back, I visited my smith there, and he told me that he had been sending Damascus rough tubes that he finds in Liege to Greener.
Difficult to find, expensive and risky to machine as they do have flaws...
Best regards,
WC-

I'll find out for you.

Tim

For today another fine Matthew Brown photograph of a Clabrough Johnstone.

Tim

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Stan and Tim, the gun/picture in question, 69927, is one of a pair and it is a 12 bore. You can see the exact picture with info on page 134 of Graham Greener's book, "The Greener Collections."

Most of these new Greener guns with the damascus barrels are being made with interchangeable steel barrels.

For today something we all like, a Purdey, again from Matthew Brown.

Tim

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Damascus barrels and ONE trigger?

JC

Yeah well I think they (Greener) will build whatever you want if you have the $$ - taste or tradition aside. You should see the "Viking" gun (at least it has 2 triggers) they recently built - it was on the cover of Shooting Sportsman magazine a couple of issues ago.

Your wish is my command! Here is the Greener Viking, as photographed by Matt Brown

Tim

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This is surely the one:

Probably commissioned by a very rich Dane?
JC

For today, something a little different; a McKay Brown .470 Nitro Express round action.

Tim

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I think that whoever said that craftsmanship is dead better rethink that in view of these guns.

There are some great guns being made these days no doubt - great craftsmanship. Some guns are made to use and some are made that may never see the field - probably museum pieces.

Even the best guns look better with a little patina from honest and careful use.

Such as this? By Agnew & Son, well cared, well used and well photographed by Matt Brown.

Tim

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I think this one also deserves place among these best guns,a round action SLE Westley Richards,

TRW/Tim, I had never heard of Agnew & Son but yes I really like the looks of that one. Looks very classy to me.

Here is some info from IGC on Agnew:

Name Agnew & Son
Other Names Agnew & Sons; A Agnew; Agnew & Son
Address1 68 South Street
Address2 79 South Street
City/Town Exeter
County Devonshire
Country United Kingdom
Trade Gun makers
Other Address
Dates 1875?-1924
Notes

Arthur Agnew established his business as a gun maker in 1844 in Severn Street, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1818. He may have been the same person as or, more likely, the son of A W Agnew of 63 Princes Street, Edinburgh (1841-1849) and Wallace & Agnew of 63 Princes Street, Edinburgh (1841). In 1841 Arthur married Sarah (b.1817 in Guilsfield, near Welshpool, Montgomeryshire), and in the following years they had two sons both born in Edinburgh, John P (b.1842) and Samuel Arthur (b.1843). In the five years following the move to Welshpool three more children were born, Mary Ann (b.1845), William (b.1846) and Joanna P (b.1849). The 1851 census records The family living in Severn Street. The 1861 census records the family still living in Severn Street but three more sons had been born, Arthur G W (b.1853), Joseph (b.1855) and Thomas (b.1859). Arthur described himself as a master gun maker and John as an assistant gun maker.

On 29 August 1863 A Agnew registered patent No. 2139 for a forward under-lever breech loader.In 1868 John P Agnew was recorded in business as a gun maker at 56 Edward Street, Broughton Lane, Manchester. This was not a branch of the Welshpool business, it may be that his father had financed John's business. The 1871 census records John living at 25 Elton Street, Salford, Manchester, with his wife, Mary (b.1838 in Scotland) and two daughters, Annie F B (b.1867), and Louise T (b.1870). In the 1871 census Arthur, Sarah, William and Joseph were recorded living at 28 Severn Street, both William and Joseph were described as gun makers. Samuel was recorded in the census living in Little Dark Gate Street, Aberystwyth, where Arthur had opened a branch. This traded under the name of Arthur Agnew. Samuel's sister, Mary Ann acted as his housekeeper and Thomas, aged 12, lived with them. Samuel married Margaret Elizabeth (b.1851 in Aberystwyth) in 1873 and they had a daughter, Ada, in 1874. In 1877 Arthur decided to close the business in Aberystwyth and move to Exeter, Devonshire, where he bought the business of W J Harvey (formerly John Harvey at 79 South Street. William remained in Welshpool to run the business there.

The 1881 census records Arthur, Sarah, Mary Ann and Thomas (described as a watchmaker) living at 11 Salutary Mount, Exeter, whilst Samuel and Margaret were living with Ada above the shop at 79 South Street. By this time they had a son named Arthur who was born in 1877 in Exeter. The same census records John living as a boarder at 20 Parliament Place, Liverpool, but Mary and the two daughters were not recorded. John described himself as a foreman gunmaker, obviously employed but by whom is not known.
The 1881 census records Joseph living as a lodger in Denmark Street Colchester, Essex. He described himself as a gunmaker's general shop assistant. He was working for Mrs Philip Hast. Between 1883 and 1886 Arthur bought the business which traded as Arthur Agnew & Son and was managed by Joseph. In about 1885 the shop in Welshpool moved it to 14 Berriew Street where it traded under the name of William Agnew. It appears to have closed a year or two later.


In the 1891 census Arthur was recorded as a retired gunsmith living at 1 Colwell Cottages, Exeter, with Sarah, Mary, Joanna (Joanna Knight living on own means), Jane Agnew (John's daughter b.1874 in Liverpool) and Winifred (grand-daughter b.1877 possibly also John's daughter). Samuel and Margaret were still living at 79 South Street with Ada and Arthur. In this census Samuel described himself as a gun and rifle maker. John was recorded as a widower living at 14 Sutton Street, West Derby, Liverpool, with a son named Paul (b.1883 in Didsbury, Manchester). Joseph was recorded as an unmarried gunmaker living at 118 High Street, Colchester, Essex. At some time after 1891 Arthur died. In about 1895 Joseph's business in Colchester closed.

The 1901 census records Samuel, Margaret and Ada at 79 South Street, but not their son Arthur who, if alive, would have been 24 years old. It may be that Samuel continued the business until about 1924, when he would have been 81 years old and the business was last recorded.

Internet Gun Club has some details of serial numbers. Please send details of your gun or your query by email to archives@internetgunclub.com.

Other Info
The firm sold an Eley Brass 12 bore cartridge (post 1900) and a "Smokeless" cartridge (post 1920).

Tim

These are all gorgeous guns but if I had to choose just one, that round action WR is stunning.

The Westley Richards round action would be my choice. While Rose and Scroll is okay, there are only about 5 million of them out there. I would prefer something with a little higher level of art work such as the Westley Richards and as seen in some of the Bulino and bold scroll of the Italian engravers. (no nudes please).

Do you think Agnew "Made" the Gun?...I',m guessing probably not?
But man it's sweet, who ever made it!
I would love to have such a fine "West Country" Gun, having been born n raised just over the border in Somerset.
What super guns, & very fine pics..awesome stuff lads
cheers
franc

Love this thread!

In that case, here is another fine Matt Brown photo of a nicely patinated A Ilsley!

Tim

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This one is my personal favorite, a classic Stephen Grant SLE

Beautiful shotguns and terrific photos. I feel fortunate just being able to see the toys of the truly "fortunate" people. Absolutely stunning.

And yet another stunning over-under by the famous British maker John Rigby,

Some really nice guns here.

Some nice guns coming out for viewing! Here is a pair from the Asprey World Series, in .375 Magnum and representing North America.

Tim

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No Round Actions in sight. Not exciting.

Shotgunlover

You missed the McKay Brown .470 Nitro Express round action on page 2 then!

Tim

Shotgunlover,

You also missed the Westley Richards 12 bore SLE round action as well,

Kem

So, for some added excitement, here is a pair of David McKay-Brown's finest round actioned 12s

Tim

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And, since I like to give you an added thrill, here is some special engraving on McKay-Brown guns!

Tim

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Here is a rather splendid John Wilkes. It is his Anniversary Model 12 bore from 1974.

Tim

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Ah, that's better! Some streamlined RAs to break the sidelock monotony!

The beauty of the Round Action.

No English built muzzleloaders??

Here is a boxlock, just to help keep things different! Another Matt Brown photo of a William Golden.

Tim

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Many makers have best quality boxlock's but for me Westley Richards wins the competition always,

Engraving for Holland & Holland by Creative Art.

Tim

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Been away sailing but back with a Holland & Holland .577 NE to make up for it!

Tim

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great additions! more please!

Here you go. A Joseph Manton photographed by Matt Brown.

Tim

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This morning we have a pair of fine looking Woodward 16 bore o/Us

Tim

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For this morning and your delectation, here is a plainly finished Hussey. Although his Imperial Ejectors were finely engraved, his usual workmanship was evident in all his guns and this plain Jane has it's own beauty.

Tim

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Here is another fine Matt Brown photo and it's another Grant, a sidelever and hammers too.

Tim

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Morning, men! Here's a Boss, with thanks to Matthew Brown Photography.

Tim

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Wow!!

Here is some more Creative Art engraving, this time for James Purdey & Sons

Tim

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Hello, chaps! Here is a Longthorne Rutland. Interesting new company turning out well engineered guns. Maybe not best, but pretty good.

Tim

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Good day. Here is a round action Purdey for your pleasure today.

Tim

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Good morning. Today we have a splendidly plain Jeffery 12.

Tim

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Time for a resurrection of this thread.

The skeletal bar in wood round action is still a very rare gun. Yet they have a lithesome quality which most find quite beguiling. Here are three to get your juices flowing!

1 - Joseph Manton Signature bar in wood
2 - MacNaughton The Edinburgh Gun
3 - A three-barrelled 20-bore bar-in-wood round action by J. Dickson

This comes with old fashioned British greetings for this time of year - have a very merry old Christmas, one and all.

Tim

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][/url]

And a sidelever to boot - glad I have not faced the temptation of that gun in the flesh! Thanks for the Christmas present.

[quote=trw999]This morning we have a pair of fine looking Woodward 16 bore o/Us

Tim

Edited to add the photo, which was moved on my PB account.

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And how about a splendid Harkom A&D?

Tim

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Thanks, Tim, for those. That Manton is more than beguiling, it is mesmerizing. How I would love to fondle a 20 bore with 31" barrels. Why 31" ? If you're gonna be different, you may as well go all the way!

Merry CHRISTmas to you, too.

SRH

Stan, the inches measurement are for us in the U.S. It is what the Brits and Europeans refer to as the common 787.4 mm barrels.
Gil

Thanks Stan. The Manton Signature gun is very fine, though I personally find the MacNaughton has the edge in aesthetics.

Do you find the Manton trigger appears a wee bit too forward? Else the trigger guard is too small!

Tim

No, I like the trigger in that position. A quarter inch back wouldn't hurt, but I really don't care for single triggers in the position of a rear trigger on a two trigger gun. I have a L.C. Smith with Hunter One Trigger in that rear position and it is disconcerting to me. My hand position causes me to have to pull it with the second crease of my trigger finger.

Gil, my Perazzi has 31 1/2" barrels, so I was aware of the "odd lengths" of English and European guns. Twould be fun to be able to say in reply to the question "Why 31" ?" , "Because I WANTED them that way!".

SRH

Bit of a bump! This is an unusual little gun, a J Woodward 24 bore O/U from around 1935

Tim

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The trouble with English guns is not the way they look but how they feel when you shoulder one. Mystical, magical balance and "A leaf falls off a tree and an English gun wants to point at it," are the best description I've ever heard.

Hi Tim-

Thanks for the great pics.

Do you have any idea where that 24g Woodward is located? Is it being offered for sale?

Thanks,

OWD

Looks like the same Woodward, but different pics:

http://losgi.com/24-bore-over-and-under.html


OWD

Yes, that is where I originally found the photo and I should have thanked Matt Brown for taking such cracking good ones!

Matt is used by AA Brown to take photos of guns they have for sale. See http://doubleguns.co.uk/ However the 24 bore is not on their current list. Perhaps if you contact Matt or Robin they would let you know it's whereabouts now.

Tim

OK. Thank you.

I appreciate the help.

OWD

Always one of my favorite threads. Thank you Tim!

I rather like this splendid photograph by Simon Clode from his excellent Explora blog. It shows a trio of Westley Richards small bore droplocks, from top to bottom: 20g; 28g and .410

Tim

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That's a great looking trio of small bores. If it were mine I'd end up spending hours just holding them and admiring how great they looked.

Pictures of English guns, that's all we get from this guy.

How about this;

"Selous when he first went to Africa in 1871 took along a "small double breech loading rifle" made by Reilly's of Oxford Street and someone soon stole it. He acquired a muzzleloading 10 bore double made by a maker named Vaughan (German? Belgium?). Selous considered the gun very inferior saying that it cross fired badly."

"In 1872 Selous paid 6 pounds each for a pair of smooth bore "duck guns" by Isaac Hollis of Birmingham. He describes them as firing a FOUR OUNCE roundball and the guns themselves weighed 12 1/2 pounds apiece and with these he killed seventy-eight elephants over the next three seasons. He said about the two Isaac Hollis muzzleloaders, "I have never used or seen used a rifle which drove better then those common made old muzzleloaders, however they were so light that they kicked most dreadfully."

Beautiful guns, I especially like the fact that they were built with two triggers, not all that common on Westley drop locks.

A beautiful trio of guns. Ah darn, I gotta wipe the drool off my chin again.

Another excellent Simon Clode photo. This time it shows all the component parts that go to make up a Westley Richards droplock; a 28g in this example.

Tim

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And here is a fine example of best quality Ken Hunt engraving on a James Purdey.

Tim

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A modest HJ Hussey Imperial Sidelock:

Jay, I too am lucky to own and shoot a Hussey Imperial Ejector. Beautiful guns and deadly on clays and feathers. Mine has a diamond grip and it feels just right in the hand. Very underrated guns in my opinion. Good shooting with yours!

Eric,

Fine guns, indeed. I have two. One in fine original condition the other (with the inlaid gold) had been sleeved and received a butt transplant and now has dimensions identical to the original one. Unfortunately the have spoiled my affinity to Parkers and pretty much every other shotgun I own.

A friend has one of those Imperial Ejectors and I join the chorus immediately upthread. He loaned it to me for a round of trap the other week and, well, it was a real pleasure to handle and even more one to shoot.

Shh! Don't let everyone know, they'll all want a Hussey!

One of the underrated best London gun makers from the golden era of 1890 to 1914. HJ has received a bad press as a businessman but there is no doubting his ability as an especially fine master gun maker. His son HH was in the same mould too.

Tim

My great-grandmother's last name was Hussey and when I started looking for an English SLE I learned about HJ and his guns. After a few years searching I found a HJH that was exactly what I was looking for and another one that was in need of a little tlc. Now trying to research the history of the top gun via the family crest engraved in the brass oval.

MacNaughton of Edinburgh. Always turned out a gun of beauty.

Tim

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As did Dickson:-

One more for the Scots

Terry,

Is that one you use for your late season geese? :>)

Hello David,
This one gets the white glove treatment.It's the poor SKB's that get dragged through the mud and digest those awful steel loads...