Post
by Vikram » Fri May 28, 2010 6:19 am
Right, gentlemen, what sparked this post was when I saw the price the seller was asking for gun number4.It surprised me a lot.I did a bit of digging around and came up with these guns.
1. Joseph Lang 12 gauge (Best Boxlock) Side by Side second hand Shotgun (R/H)
Barrel: 28", Stock: 143/4", Chokes: 1/2 & 3/4
Origin: English, Circa: 1950, Chamber: 2"3/4
Trigger: 2, Ejection: YES, Serial #: 19118 - Price: $4,313
2.Evans, William 12 gauge Boxlock ((From Purdey's)) Side by Side second hand Shotgun (X-Over)
Barrel: 28", Stock: 143/8", Chokes: 1/4 & 1/2, Weight: 6lb.8oz.
Origin: English, Chamber: 2"3/4
Trigger: 2, Ejection: YES, Serial #: 10411
Cast is from right to left and is 2 1/4" from the centre. The barrels were lined by Teague in Sept 2008. Some case hardening on the action. Drop at the heel is 2 1/2", Drop at the comb is 1 5/8".
Price: US$6,049
3. Webley & Scott 12 gauge 700 Side by Side second hand Shotgun (R/H)
Chokes: 1/4 & 1/2
Origin: English
Ejection: YES, Serial #: 145472
One of the last of 200 made with certificate from Webley and Scott in original and lovely condition.
Price: $3,601
5.Bate & Co., George (Birmingham) 12 gauge Boxlock Side by Side second hand Shotgun (R/H)
Barrel: 28", Stock: 141/2", Chokes: 3/8 & 5/8
Origin: English
Trigger: Double Trigger, Ejection: Ejector, Serial #: 15455
-Very good condition-virtually all colour remaining -Superb quality, fully rose & scroll engraved action -Raised ‘Churchill’ type rib -Bore sizes .734†& .733â€
Price: $5,401
Now- check the price of the gun number 4.
4. Francotte 12 gauge Boxlock Side by Side second hand Shotgun (R/H)
Barrel: 28", Stock: 14", Chokes: 3/4 & Full, Weight: 6lb.8oz.
Origin: Belgian
Trigger: 2, Ejection: No, Serial #:
Lovely condition Auguste Francotte boxlock, with scoop-backed treble-grip action with side-clips, manual safety, broad turned rib, very detailed leaf engraved fences, border and scroll engraving, sling swivels and well figured original stock, with good sharp checkering and checkered butt. Reproved in 2008. Appears to have had very light use since manufacture in the 1930s. The 80000 series of Francotte guns signified their mid-range guns of the era. Lovely, lively gun.
Price: $857.
A tired and worn gun that has been given a breath of life by barrel lining costs the most of the lot at $6K just because it has William Evans name on it.Whereas the Auguste Francotte gun costs as little as $857 ?Agreed it is a non-ejector gun.But, it oozes quality and craftsmanship and certainly looks better than the William Evans gun.
My question.Am I being too simplistic/ignorant here or the rest of the guns are certainly better than the Francotte gun or is it just the quirk of the market that is sold on names?
I would really appreciate your inputs.Given a choice, I would certainly not hesitate to pick the Francotte gun first,closely followed by the Joseph Lang gun.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
@ Herb, The WE gun has a crossover stock for a left-eye dominant-right handed shooter.
Best-
Vikram
It ain’t over ’til it’s over! "Rocky,Rocky,Rocky....."