doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Very nice Beesley?

Mal, is there any dating possible with the barrel tube numbers?

This is certainly not a Beesley (Purdey) patent action gun. I'm not positive what the lock pin placement tells us other than that it is not a Beesley or Royal action, and, I don't think a Grant or a Woodward action. I contend that the "fern chisled fences" are common on many brands of guns. Does anyone disagree with that?

I'm also under the impression that Mr. Beesley saved his best work for the Beesley patent self-opening action. I'll continue the research further.

Nice discussion!!

Rocketman,...here is another for you,..notice the similar lock pin placement,...this one is cheaper than the one in question an probably in better shape.... JMHO


CJ

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...mp;mode=viewGun


They also have a nice pair for 38K

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...mp;mode=viewGun

Foliate yes, fern(palm frond)no!
Look at Boothroyd for a Beesley best.
To my knowledge, the Beesley/Purdey action was never used on a Beesley gun.

Don says it's a knockoff. Mal says it's a Beesley best. Lowell says Beesley never put his name on a Beesley patent self opener. Someone else says he owns a Beesley that has "Beesley Patent" engraved on it. Oh, that was Lowell. I know which one of the three I trust the most, but what is the real story and how do we tell?

Prop them all against a pine tree and get pictures.

Mr. Beesley sold his spring cocking patent to Mr. Purdey in 1880. He would have had to pay a users fee to Mr. Purdey to use his own action if he were to make a Purdey type gun.[I have seen only 1 Beesley marked gun with a Purdey type action.] He also patented a few other spring cockers like the Lancaster "wrist breaker". The Beesley's patent on the gun in question I believe refers to his ejector, otherwise known as the Southgate, or, if a Holland, the AB.[ two moving parts,not counting the spring, the hammer going overcenter]. I have seen a number of guns with the "fern fences" by makers other than Purdey or Beesley, some on backaction guns from Birmingham. I just noted that most, if not all, Beesley best guns had them. Although known as "the inventor to the trade" Mr Beesley made relatively few guns; I think his serial #s started at 1000.[ Don't have references here]. He was a perfectionist, and his creations rank among the finest.
All the best, Mal

Mal, I think what you're saying is that people who think a Beesley is a $30,000 gun, thinking it is identical to a Beesley style Purdey, may be deluding themselves. But you are also saying that a good Beesley, although not neccesarily a "Beesley style Purdey action" is a good gun. Now how do we tell whether a Beesley is really a Beesley? By the way, you were the "one" I was referring to.

Looks like my idea is not going to work.

Cj I think the 27" cylinder choke barrels really hurt this gun.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...mp;mode=viewGun

Perhaps for some unknown reason(hehehe), eightbore is adding his own little spin to this piece.

I agree with C.J.O. that the position of the pins in the lock plates are a strong indication that the action of the gun is by Beesley. Boothroyds book,Sidelocks and Boxlocks, page 55 picture a "Best Beesley sidelock' with identical action.