doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Help identify double shotgun!!

Off center screw is typical of Webleys.

Thanks Daryl. Just to clarify that what I am referring to is not about the two screws in the top lever - a larger screw and a smaller off center screw behind it - my question was about the large off center screw on the tang just ahead of my thumb in the photo. Are we talking about the same thing?

Yes, the screw [offset]that goes through the top tang.

Ok. Thanks!

Striking similarities to the Cogswell & Harrison Avant Tout ...

Well it certainly is a beautiful gun. Japanese? English Best Maker? Even if by some twist of fate that were the case, without the appropriate markings the gun might as well be Japanese. I do agree that the engravings appear to be by hand, due to the slight lack in uniformity. If someone bought a Webley & Scott out the back door of the factory, and somehow it went out missing the makers mark - it would never be viewed by the market as a Webley & Scott even though the original buyer would know that to be the case.

Did the fellow in Japan tell you WHY he thought the gun was of that particular gun house? Specific markings? Surely his guess was based on more than general appearance.

Thanks for your observations and thoughtful comments. The "Japanese connection" was started earlier in this thread with perhaps the most poignant factor being the long serial number on the action flats and the various "look alike" only English marks.
The high quality of the walnut in this sporting weapon, however admittedly does not match the "Japanese copies" of English shotguns. When I wrote to Hamada I simply told them that it had been suggested that this gun was Japanese and if so could he identify the year and the manufacturer - as you can gather from his response - there is simply no clarity on this... I can tell you that this gun (whatever it maybe) leaves absolutely nothing to be desired to a Webley high grade boxlock shotgun. The engraving is certainly all hand executed with tight checkering and the wood to metal fit is outstanding. Here are some photos for comparison to a high grade Webley BLE (alternate Webley first and the shotgun in question):

[quote=LuisHunter1]Here is another e-mail from Hamada following some more specific questions:
"...it just seems like some shotguns ssen here in Japan long ago with wood really very much good for sure nice gun enjoy."

Shugo Hamada
Hamada & Son Ltd.

Would anyone out there be able to identify what this type of walnut actually is on this shotgun (walnut type, geographic origin..etc (perhaps this migh be a clue) - it seems that Mr. Hamada has never seen this type of high grade walnut on Japanese shotguns "of long ago".

Only when there is a horse shoe around the top lever axis.
This is not a screw grip... At least, not by Webley.
WC-

The checkering is the most noticeable difference I see. Your gun has a rather unique style with the overlapping layers of straight lines. Almost like a tennis racket without the weaves, or music strings. I'd be interested to know if the other guys with Japanese guns have this same style of checkering, or if their guns have one of the more traditional styles.