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#569134 04/05/20 07:13 PM
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graemea Offline OP
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Hi all,

I'm just looking for information. I bought a Boswell 12G serial 13956 a few years ago. I've tried contacting Chris Batha and, asked if he had any other methods of payment other than US Postal order, but got no response. Since I'm in New Zealand, postal orders aren't easy. I've worked out from this site and other sources, that my gun is from 1901. I purchased a 1910 Boswell catalogue from Cornell Publications, but my model seems to differ from those shown. It has the Deely forend fastener, Purdey hidden bite, Baker style ejectors and Damascus barrels. Has anyone seen this combination before?

Many thanks, Graeme

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Guns were often sold outside of the catalogue listings. A buyer could get whatever and it could be a gun ordered special or a gun pieced together from available pieces in the shop to use them up.

If you are able to post pictures of the proof marks and the action that can help further.

Boswell made some very good guns

Last edited by old colonel; 04/05/20 08:35 PM.

Michael Dittamo
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graemea Offline OP
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Michael Dittamo
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graemea Offline OP
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Thanks for doing that Michael.

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Looks look a very nice gun. Definitely a quality A&D box lock when it was made.

I have my doubts about dating it 1901 in terms of manufacture.

My read is pre 1896 proof marks. I also note no nitro proof. It also appears to be Birmingham proofed. It also seems to indicate only the left barrel is choked.

Just because it is not nitro proof does not mean no smokeless, just no high pressure loads, You may want have the chambers checked as they are likely 2 1/2.

The barrels appear to be good quality Damascus, but I defer to others who know better than I do to comment further.

If the barrels are truly sound it may well be worth restoring the checkering and stock finish. Having a good Smith who can evaluate the barrels is key.

Last edited by old colonel; 04/06/20 10:55 PM.

Michael Dittamo
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graemea Offline OP
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Thanks for your comments.

I'm pretty sure it's 1901. The serial number of 13956 dates it within a few months based on my research, though I'd love to be able to buy the original record. The business of only black powder proofs is explained by the extra cost they paid for nitro. Nitro proofs only became general in 1904. There's some period literature on the net that shows that even in the late 1890's, only a tiny fraction of guns were submitted for Nitro Proof, though it was in general use. It was the extra shilling charged for nitro proof at fault, or something like that.

Boswell had some quarrel with the London Proof house and sent his guns to Birmingham for proof I read somewhere. The gun reads as improved cylinder on the right barrel and improved modified on the left barrel. Yes the woodwork is quite worn and it has a repair to the hand. It would have been a lovely piece of walnut when new though.

https://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18592608-orig.jpg

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According to Brown, your serial number appears to be spot on for 1901. I would be curious to see what those bores measure as 14/1 seems pretty tight for a 12 gauge (if I am reading that correctly).

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I believe 13/1 is .719 as opposed to 12 at .729, I have not seen a number for 14/1 perhaps .709?

Last edited by old colonel; 04/07/20 12:04 AM.

Michael Dittamo
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i understand that 13 = .710; so i would assume that 14/1 would equal .700....
b. r.
tom


"it's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards."
lewis carroll, Alice in Wonderland
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