doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com W&C Scott Premier pictures (mural size)

Utah Shotgunner, Mike asked me to go with him to the pawn shop to examine the gun since for some reason I've never understood he considers me to be fairly knowledgable about these guns. Well, when I saw the checkering pattern on the stock I immediately said it was no doubt a restock--and a rather newish American one at that. Then I commented that the barrels seemed to have been refinished at some time because of the rather uniform blacking with little damascus pattern showing in normal light. "Blah, blah"....on I rambled with my high and mighty opinion. I discouraged Mike from even trying to buy it, saying the only thing original was the action.... Well, all I can say is I've been eating a bit of crow. I found a picture of the gun in William Reed & Sons catalog circa about 1906 that shows the exact checkering pattern! And then after Mike and I visited with Dale Edmonds and had a chance to look at the barels under magnification it is obvious the barrels have never been touched on the outside. So, I have learned a huge lesson in "looking" at a gun and "LOOKING" at a gun. Preconceived ideas and opinions are dangerous. I know this--had I known then what I know now Mike sure wouldn't be the current owner....I would. It is an incredible example of the best of the best workmanship from one of England's best makers. Congratulations, Mike on beating me outta this one!

Thanks Utah and thank you Joe.

I have a reprint of the Westley Richards 1912 catalogue that shows their "Modelle De Luxe" with the Fluer-di-lis (SP?) engraving. The checkering at the wrist was redone after the repair of the broken stock. It is not as good as the checkering on the forearm but still very good.

Here is a link to the repro catalogue Joe references: http://cgi.ebay.com/William-Read-Shotgun...bayphotohosting

I am in the process of reducing the size of the pictures but if you look you at one of the barrel pictures it says "Imperial Premier".

Best,

Mike

Wow - great gun. That's the earliest Imperial Premier I've ever seen.

Thanks for the pics.

OWD

Oh and thanks RevDoc. I am pleased you are including the picture in your damascus gallery!

Here is a link to my photbucket site thing - maybe there is a better picture.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/AmarilloMike/W_and_C_Scott/
Best,

Mike

Edit - I put in the correct link

JDW
thanks for the info re damascus pattern.it is an almost identical pattern to the barrels of a 1904 british shotgun that i own and i am very curious re description.
cheers

First - I wrote the barrel says "Imperial Premier" and it actually is marked "Premier Imperial".

Here is a link to a repro catalog Cornell Publications sells. It
has a labeled picture of a W&C Scott Premier Imperial with the identical stock checkering pattern on mine. The label is on the lower left hand corner(Thanks Joe).

http://www.cornellpubs.com/Images/Read-1906.jpg

Mike

Since these pictures are not hosted on this site, it does not take memory from this BBS's server. The size of the picture does not cost this BBS in any way that I know of.

Learn something everyday.

I saw the rib inscription. I was not implying that it was not an Imperial. I tried to say (poorly) that it was just odd to see an Imperial with such engraving. I have a 10ga Premier with 100% scroll and no animals. These were custom ordered guns so you could order it however you might want.

The fleur de lis(sp?) was factory??? Well Scott really targeted the market in U.S.A. so I can see it being done. Still surprising on a gun made pre 1900. Winchester really put that type of checkering in the public eye but many years later.

As to pictures size, much better now. It doesn't cost the site anything but I won't scroll and often will back out of a thread with huge pictures. For this thread I stayed with it because I like Scotts but others may have moved on. As I said, much better now.

Joe,

The next time you see and Imperial Premier and you don't want it, feel free to call me. I have had the pleasure to own a couple Premiers but have only seen Imperials in pictures. A damascus Imperial like this one would be my dream find.

OWD - thanks! I am tickled to death with it.

Utah - I did think you thought it might be a different grade. I just looked at the pictures you posted on this thread again. I believe the Premier Imperial you posted has the same checkering pattern as mine. The checkering on the action end of my forend looks just like the one you posted. My forend is fluer di lis pattern.

Best!

Mike

Years ago I purchased a copy of the two Vol. Set " British Sporting Guns and Rifles" by Geo. Hoyem. It's a compilation of Catalogs from the great makers and I think I've looked at it twice.

Just took a look and they have a full reprint of Webley's 1922 catalog. They show a straight stocked Imperial Premier but it has the same checkering pattern as Mike's, just altered a bit for the straight hand.