doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Scottish Gunmaker Info Needed, Alex R. Thomson

I am assisting in the valuation/disposal of an estate that was donated to our local Trout Unlimited Chapter. One of the guns is a very high grade Percussion Muzzle loader made/marketed by Alex R. Thomson, Edinburg. If it wasn't for a minor ding on the barrel wedge you'd almost think it had not been fired. Gun is Damascus, 30 1/2" barrels, bores mike .791 and .795, proffusly and finely engraved on all metal parts including butt plate, screws untouched, some gold flash still remains around nipple areas, fine and unmarred checkering, wood to metal fit is perfect, no mars or scratches, appears to be an Ebony ramrod. Gun is light, lively and well balanced. Didn't weigh but feels like a 6 lb. gun when handled. Any knowledge on the maker? What would a gun like this be worth?

Well,there is little to be found in my library. Merwyn Carey lists him as "about 1780" in Edinbourgh,producing"flintlock fowling pieces and light-weight cadet flintlock muskets".

A family by the name of Thomson were armourers in Edinburgh from about 1600 to 1700.

Alexander Thomson established his business in 1820 at 3 Drummond Street, Edinburgh, he was appointed "Gunmaker to His Majesty" (King George IV) in 1828.

George Thomson (father of Alexander?) established his business as a gun lock maker in 1819 at 4 Arthur Place, Edinburgh. In 1822 he moved to 16 Union Place as a gunmaker. In 1828 he too was appointed "Gunmaker to His Majesty" (King George IV).

George Thomson retired or died in 1832 and Alexander Thomson took over the business and the premises.

Alexander moved to George Thomson's address at 16 Union Place.

In 1840 and 1841 additional premises were taken at 3 South St Andrew Street.

In 1869 the name of the firm changed to Alexander Thomson & Son and they moved to 95 Princes Street. In 1876 they moved to 3 Hanover Street. They closed in about 1881.


Pete

I found an article,listed in the DGJ index,on Alex Thomson. It's issue 4 vol.1. I don't have this issue but you could contact DGJ and ask for a copy,or maybe someone out there has the issue and will share any info. and pictures with us.

Thanks Justin and PeteM. Now we know who he was. Any guesses on value?

SIXSKB,

Post some pictures of the gun. I am sure others will help with the value.

Pete

I know a little about the percussion doubles market, and obviously, you have a nice one. The market is very small, and in the US tends to favor US type flintlocks fowlers, which is a totally different gun. Still, there are buyers (and if I wasn't totally broke, I'd be interested). Here are 3 web sites to look for comparison valuations:

Track of the Wolf, in Minnesota: handles a wide variety of used muzzleloaders from London doubles to Thompson Renegades. Prices are probably fair market retail for guns to use.

Roosevelt and Drake: very high end, with high-end prices; but they sell their stuff. In their market flintlocks seem to go for about double of percussion.

Vintage Doubles: Kirby Hoyt sells vintage doubles, and has a few percussion guns (they cover a broad range of prices). I bough a gun from him, and it was as advertised.

In my purchasing of antique guns (shootable) I have found that damascus barrels that seem very good on initial inspection can turn out to be considerably rougher when carefully cleaned out. Don't really know why, could be you just see it more, or it could be that what's in there fills in the rough areas. It's worth considering before doing a cleaning job on the barrels (or not).

Thanks for the leads. I'd try and post pictures but the gun is 150 mi. away. I just inspected it last week.

Can anyone send me a copy of the article; Vol. 1, issue 4? Consider it a contribution to Trout Unlimited.