Do they exist? I have a nice little 25" ble Clarke I shoot for grouse and I just picked up a nitro prooved damascus SLE. The SLE is very nicely made, though in need of either some serious stock repair or possibly a new stick of wood. I would love to know when it was built. Thanks,
Steve

Any further info SKB? I can find no less than 22 Clarkes listed. Doubt if any records but details of proof marks, full name and address on rib; if any, and I may be able to narrow it down with a little more information for you. Lagopus…..

Henry Clarke & Sons, Midland gunwerks Leicester, originally proofed in the BP area and then submitted for nitro proof at a later date, extremely fine damscus pattern and very nicely made.

An advert for a Perkes back actioned gun No 10105 dated it as 1875-87 .Apparently the business was run by the family until closure in 1963.Hth.

SKB

By whom were the barrels proofed?

London or Birmingham ?

http://www.shotguns.se/html/uk.html

Thanks

Mike

Birmingham proofed, twice, a later re-proof to nitro.

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=471023


So no crossed sword date code, so before 1921

Maybe the provisional imprint may help date.

Mike

Steve,

You may find this thread interesting Clarke.

Ken

Thanks Ken. I'm Hoping Tim chimes in, I read on IGC(I'm not a member but should be) that the Clarke's are one of his interest and he has been very helpful in the past when reasearching British makers.

Does it have Chilton locks?

The Trade label details put the date as between 1897 and 1909. Best I can do for now. Lagopus…..

The case and trade label are not original yo the gun.

I did hear from Tim Wilkes and was surprised to see so few sidelocks in his database, only twelve of them. The gun does have a square cross bolt and patent gas checks on the breech. It looks like at a minimum it was sourced through WC Scott, possibly as a finished gun. The proofs indicate a 1887-1896 date of manufacture.