Side by side double barrel shotgun manufactured by W.Lee, near
Birmingham, England circa 1900. Serial number 1956. Request any and
all provenance along with estimates of value. NRA grade "Fine" or
better. Any book references appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Steve Lawson |
Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
03 Sep 2002 06:54 PDT
Hammerless, top safety, sideplates and sidelock. Double triggers, 28"
Barrels. British Nitro Proofed.
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Request for Question Clarification by
thx1138-ga
on
03 Sep 2002 07:42 PDT
Hi steve and thanks for the question.
I have a "nodding acquaintance" with British shotguns (I am an owner
myself) and I was not aware of a gunsmith by the name of W.Lee, and
after researching the name "W.Lee" I did not find a gunmaker with that
name. Is it possible that the "W.Lee" could have been the owner?
Presumably the shotgun is a 12 bore?
Some British gunmakers:
James Purdey & Sons
Holland & Holland
Boss & Co.
William Evans
Atkin,
Grant & Lang
Cogswell and Harrison
E. J. Churchill
J. Roberts & Sons
John Rigby & Co.
Ronald Wharton
William Powell & Son
David Mckay-Brown
Dickson & Macnaughton
A.A. Brown & Sons
W. W. Greener
Thomas Bland & Sons
Westley Richards
T.R. White & Co.
William & Son
Thanks for the clarification.
THX1138
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Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
03 Sep 2002 08:15 PDT
According to one source, W. Lee was a gun maker near or in Birmingham,
England around the turn of the 20th Century. The gun itself is
engraved with W.Lee in script on the left sideplate. No other
information on W. Lee Gunmaker, that I have been able to find.
Regards,
Steve
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Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
03 Sep 2002 08:16 PDT
P.S. Yes, it is 12 Gauge. I have not miked the bores yet to
determing choke restrictions, if any.
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Request for Question Clarification by
chromedome-ga
on
03 Sep 2002 08:18 PDT
Are there any other identifying marks on this firearm? Is there
anything distinctive in the way of ornamentation? Anything that might
give us a lead to go with would be helpful. Also, if you have any
means of posting a photo for us, that would be wonderful.
-Chromedome
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Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
04 Sep 2002 06:21 PDT
Click on this link for all the photos that I have available at this
time.
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=5068686
This maker is also noted in the book, "Side X Sides of the Worls for
Y2K", by Charles Carder. So far this is all I could find. I hope
this additional information helps.
Thanks,
Steve
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Request for Question Clarification by
thx1138-ga
on
04 Sep 2002 10:38 PDT
Having seen the pictures I´m pretty sure the W.Lee is a previous owner
and not the maker. Anyway I am making enquiries about the shotgun and
will post the answer here if I get the replies back. Thanks for
posting the pictures, it is a big help.
THX1138
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Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
05 Sep 2002 10:12 PDT
Thanks for all your help. Based upon information in the book SxS of
the World for Y2K, I believe that the W.Lee refers to the maker, not
an owner. Unless, the owner was the maker. This is a possibility.
Looking forwars to some definitve answers. Thanks Again!!!
Steve
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Request for Question Clarification by
pugster-ga
on
05 Sep 2002 18:06 PDT
Hi there, on looking at the pictures of the firearm the engraving
looks to me like 'W m Lee', Capital W with a small m usually refers to
the name William. Nice piece, my dad still uses a similar age gun for
game shooting, far superior than the more modern pieces.
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Clarification of Question by
steveyacht-ga
on
18 Sep 2002 09:07 PDT
Have since purchased this fine shotgun and now have it in my
possesion. Photos that I showed do not do it justice. It appears to
be in 100% original condition with the Purdey style oil finish on the
wood. Inletting is perfect, you cannot detect (by feeling with your
finger) where the wood stops and the metal begins. Ebony wood inlay
forms a small schnabel on the spinter fore-end. Engraving is very
fine and even with the age, pretty clear and sharp. The bores are
bright and shiney with no pitting detected. Exterior of barrels better
than that of guns only a few years old. Barrels choked Full and
Cylinder (left and right respectively). Triggers crisp and with no
creep, when fired against snap caps. Extractors with automatic
safety. Serial numbers appear on the face of the breach and on the
fore-end iron. Measured the chambers and they are 2 1/2 inches.
Underlug area of barrels is stamped with Birmingham Proof marks and
"Nitro Proofed 1 1/8oz" Action still crisp and very tight. Locks up
like a fine peice of jewlery. No rust detected at all. Some very
minor marks on a couple of the screw heads that hold sidelocks on. No
other name or address anywhere, unless it is inside the locks. I will
be taking it to a British gun enthusiast the first part of October. I
hope this additional clarification helps. If any one can give me
(even a ballpark) estimate of value, I would appreciate it. I need to
give to get a rider on my insurance policy and I do not want to over
or underestimate it's approximate value.
Thanks, Steve Lawson
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