Heritage Guns Update 3rd July, 2025
We are now a little over two months since The Southern Side by Side Championship & Exhibition in North Carolina and I hope you are enjoying the early summer weather wherever you are. All reports were of an excellent show with good weather and plenty of traffic in the tents. Bob Nay of MacNab Fine Firearms did sterling work exhibiting my stock as I was unable to attend due to last minute abdominal surgery and a few of my guns found new custodians.
Here in the east of England, we have had two heatwaves during June which have been particularly trying! With no aircon in my house or workshop, getting anything done as the sweat drips off ones nose was very difficult. Tilly and Kiwi, the two labs, really struggled in the heat and very early walks and visits to the ford for a swim were the order of the day.
And so to guns:
In the last few days I have uploaded details and photos of three very exciting new stock items, all of which are destined to be exported to the USA in late August, early September.
Firstly, we have a very beautiful back action hammergun by John Dickson & Son. It sports lovely 30 x 2 ½ nitro reproof damascus barrels, a fabulous original stock and is presented in a oak lined hammergun case.
1879 J Dickson & Son 12b Backaction
hammergun no 3606
And in its case:
Next, another Scottish gun: a 1898 round action ejector by James MacNaughton. Rebarrelled by Dickson around 1959, it carries the most beautiful wood and is in overall very fine condition.
1898 J MacNaughton 12b RAE no 2000
And in its case:
The last of the three new stock items is a beautiful 12b sidelock ejector by John Rigby & Co. Made circa 1887, it has 30 x 2 ½ damascus barrels and stunning 14 Ύ highly figured, replacement wood.
1887 J Rigby & Co 12b sidelock ejector no 15447
And cased:
Still on consignment with Bob Nay are the following:
Firstly, we have a very nice damascus barrelled, sidelock ejector by the famous W P Jones of Birmingham. With its 30 x 2 ½ nitro reproof barrel and highly figured stock, it is a very nice gun at a sensible price.
1892 W P Jones 12b BA SLE no 1072
W P Jones no 1072 in its Oak & Leather case.
Also a gorgeous 1890 Holland & Holland 1st Type Royal with two sets of barrels, both 30, one 2 ½ Nitro and the other 3 Nitro (1200 bar). Presented in a leather case blocked for both sets of barrels. This is an absolutely delicious example of H&Hs premier model. It features the best level of engraving and with its two sets of barrels can handle everything from soft, 2 ½ x 3/4oz up to the occasional 3 wildfowling load (not Superior Steel).
Holland
& Holland Royal 12b SLE no 12561
Holland & Holland Royal 12b SLE no 12561 in its leather case with both barrel sets.
Next, with lots of
original colour, chopperlump Whitworth steel barrels and a very smart Rifle
Green relined case is another Holland & Holland Royal 12b. Nitro reproof 30
x 2 ½ x Cyl/IC and a 15 3/8 replacement highly figured stock.
1891
Holland & Holland 12b Royal SLE no 12860
1891
H&H no. 12860 in its Leather and Brass case.
And looking
forward, here we have a selection of the goodies that I am working on
.
Stock No.
333 1891 Stephen Grant 12b sidelock ejector, sleeved 30 x 2 Ύ nitro reproof barrels, 14 Ύ highly figured stock inc. 1 leather covered recoil pad. Lots of original hardening colour on action and locks.
331 1887 Holland & Holland 16b Royal sidelock ejector, 28 x 2 Ύ nitro modern replacement, chopperlump barrels; 15 3/8 spectacularly figured replacement stock and forend wood. This is the most startling rebuilt gun. Someone spent a fortune on rebarrelling and restocking this little beauty and we will be offering it for a fraction of what must have been paid!
330 1885-92 Chas Osborne & Co 28b back action hammergun. Sleeved 28 x 2 Ύ nitro reproof barrels. 14 Ύ well figured stock inc. 1 leather covered recoil pad. A cute little gun, built as a 20b and recently sleeved down to 28b.
And so on it goes: lots more guns in the restoration process, visit http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/stock.htm.
I have also recently updated my case listings and would suggest that you tour my offerings if you are looking for a case for your treasured possession! Full listing can be found at http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/Cases/Case%20Stock.htm.
A few worthy of mention are:
Stock No.
051528 Holland & Holland double leather gun case. A lovely case lined with original Rifle Green baize, blocked for up to 30 ½ barrels and 17 1/2 breech to butt, 2 lidded compartments and provision for oil bottle, snapcaps and cleaning rod.
061590 Boss & Co double hammergun/hammerless case. Beautiful original crimson baize lining blocked for 30 barrels and 17 Ό breech to butt. 2 lidded compartments.
101126 Westley Richards single leather hammergun case. Original green baize lining with full complement of labels. Blocked for 30 barrels and 18 breech to butt. In need of some restitching to the lid corners.
271416 Very rare double sided mahogany and leather gun case, possibly built for Live Pigeon shooting: blocked for a single hammerless gun with 30 barrels and 17 Ό breech to heel. Opposite side takes up to 96 x 12b cartridges. Lined in purple velvet with new handle and captive straps. This case is of the highest quality and is a must for someone with the appropriate gun to go inside!
Gun side:
Cartridge side:
Outside:
Well,
that is about it for now.
Keep safe
and enjoy the summer!
Very best regards,
Toby Barclay
Historic Guns For The Modern Sportsman
