Search found 191 matches

by T'owd Mon
Sat Oct 10, 2026 4:26 pm
Forum: Clubhouse
Topic: Mary Herbison has passed
Replies: 27
Views: 626

Re: Mary Herbison has passed

Like Freezer I met Mary and 'Teach' on Modernsportsman.com Although I am in England we used to keep in touch but some time ago I lost contact. Great folks..
by T'owd Mon
Sat Oct 10, 2026 4:18 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Interesting Article on Making Modern Damascus Barrels.
Replies: 5
Views: 103

Re: Interesting Article on Making Modern Damascus Barrels.

Greener's in England did have a small supply of Damascus barrels in stock capable of being made up and some were. They may still have some. In old gun catalogues Damascus barrels could be supplied as an option but always cost more than steel. I must admit that they do look rather nice at the side of...
by T'owd Mon
Fri Oct 09, 2026 1:15 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Interesting Article on Making Modern Damascus Barrels.
Replies: 5
Views: 103

Interesting Article on Making Modern Damascus Barrels.

Someone in the U.K. has revived the lost are of making Damascus gun barrels. This is the link to the article: https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/shooting/shotgun/damascus-barrels-toby-smith-blacksmith/?utm_source=dotdigital&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=st-weekly-2026-10-09&utm_content=feature...
by T'owd Mon
Mon Sep 21, 2026 3:53 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Something a bit More Modern for a Change!
Replies: 12
Views: 398

Re: Something a bit More Modern for a Change!

Yes, the butt plate is just wood. Not an extension as such as it was made like that. Sadly I don't have the 28 bore barrels although they did do two barrel 20/28 bore sets. Being machine made I suppose it's not out of the question to try to buy a set of 28's. You've got me thinking now. I mainly use...
by T'owd Mon
Sat Sep 19, 2026 3:59 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Something a bit More Modern for a Change!
Replies: 12
Views: 398

Something a bit More Modern for a Change!

I thought I would drag this out of the gun cabinet (sorry for poor pictures). A Beretta EELL Model Diamond Pigeon in 20 bore. Not a true sidelock but side plated. Barrels are 29 1/2 inch and this a fixed choke model with Improved Cylinder and Half Choke and has a selective safety. Weight is just a 1...
by T'owd Mon
Wed Aug 05, 2026 1:17 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.
Replies: 11
Views: 490

Re: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.

Yes, I have one Drilling. I did own a double 8x57JR 16x16 that was rather a nice gun and engraved with boar and roe deer but sold it some time back. I still have a 16x16 .22rf. that was re-tubed from a 7x57R This one has the claw mounted scope but has a totally plain action. Not pretty but useful. Q...
by T'owd Mon
Fri Jul 31, 2026 3:32 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.
Replies: 11
Views: 490

Re: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.

Thank you for your kind comments. I'll try to get a full length photo to add to the post soon.
by T'owd Mon
Thu Jul 30, 2026 4:58 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.
Replies: 11
Views: 490

Re: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.

Old Muzzle loaders came in all sorts of sizes. I have a double 13 bore and a couple of double 14 bores and a single 15 bore and also a couple of single 18 bores. Nothing seemed standard in those days.
by T'owd Mon
Thu Jul 30, 2026 4:20 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.
Replies: 11
Views: 490

A Now to an Old 'Front-Stuffer'.

I thought I dig this one out of the cabinet. It is a double percussion shotgun in 15 Bore by W. Worrall, Foregate Street, Chester, Cheshire. Thomas & James Worrall traded from that address from 1854 to 1859 until; by the look of things, one of the partners passed away and continued under James o...
by T'owd Mon
Fri Jul 17, 2026 12:15 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!
Replies: 7
Views: 369

Re: All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!

No, all as original. The only change was to the 20 bore that at some time had its chambers lengthened to 2 3/4" from the original 2 1/2" and submitted for re-proof. I've had the 12 bore for many years. The 20 was bought from Chaplin's Gunmakers in Winchester, Hampshire in 2010. The 12 bore...
by T'owd Mon
Tue Jul 14, 2026 3:27 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!
Replies: 7
Views: 369

Re: All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!

Just taken a couple of pictures of my 20 bore 'Dreadnought' model as mentioned. Sorry about the foot in the picture! The 12 bore Dreadnought was £9 15 shillings and could be had in 16 bore or 20 bore; as in this case, for just 10 shillings more. So for that single trigger option this little gun coul...
by T'owd Mon
Tue Jul 14, 2026 2:15 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!
Replies: 7
Views: 369

All the Bells & Whistles; well almost!

I thought I would bring this out of the gun cabinet this time. An example from the Birmingham firm of the Midland Gun Company. The company was founded around 1878 and produced guns under its own name and also to supply to the general trade. Many a gun bears a name from some London, Scottish or provi...
by T'owd Mon
Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:27 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another Hybrid or is this an Upcycle or a Re-cycle?
Replies: 8
Views: 366

Re: Another Hybrid or is this an Upcycle or a Re-cycle?

For some reason I can't recall what I paid but I would guess somewhere between 100 and 200 pounds. I 've only shot it the once and it shot well. The bores are still clean as they would need to be flawless for submission to re-proof. Someone before me has looked after it well. I will try to check wha...
by T'owd Mon
Sun Jun 28, 2026 2:46 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another Hybrid or is this an Upcycle or a Re-cycle?
Replies: 8
Views: 366

Another Hybrid or is this an Upcycle or a Re-cycle?

Last time I introduced a shotgun from E. Roberts of Birmingham that re-used an old muzzle loader barrel to make up a useful breech loader. This time it's a double 12 bore with the top rib marked 'New Barrel by E. Roberts, 141, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham'. The action however is marked J. Draper. The...
by T'owd Mon
Fri Jun 19, 2026 5:23 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Hybrid Shotgun?
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Re: A Hybrid Shotgun?

I have quite a few guns with Damascus barrels of various types. They always look rather elegant. Gunmakers would sometimes offer their guns with either steel or Damascus and the Damascus was always about 10 to 20% more expensive. The British Proof Houses would have to test and mark them just the sam...
by T'owd Mon
Thu Jun 18, 2026 12:46 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: A Hybrid Shotgun?
Replies: 8
Views: 441

A Hybrid Shotgun?

Last Sunday I went to a black powder sporting clay shoot and dug this gun out to take. I have had it for a while purchasing it, for I think, just £30. I did however strike up the barrel and had it re-browned so that added a little to the cost. It was when striking it up that the mystery began to unr...
by T'owd Mon
Tue Jun 02, 2026 3:37 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another Acquisition.
Replies: 9
Views: 580

Re: Another Acquisition.

It's sad in a way that guns here have gone down in value. Good for me collecting but bad as an investment. I logged in to a local auction site the other day: Lanber O'U 12 bore with slip, cartridge belt, cleaning kit etc. Estimate £80 -£100 remained unsold so anyone's for the low estimate or near of...
by T'owd Mon
Sun May 31, 2026 1:29 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another Acquisition.
Replies: 9
Views: 580

Another Acquisition.

I can post this knowing you won't have seen it before because I only bought it last week. As you may recall that I collect locally made guns from Derby. Charles Rosson was the most prolific and he had two sons; Percy James and Charles Stanley. The latter son then took over the former business of Edw...
by T'owd Mon
Sat Feb 21, 2026 4:36 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.
Replies: 12
Views: 1198

Re: Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.

Just to add. The Star crimped cartridge is the only example I have ever come across. The pink one was made for Holland & Holland. The one bottom left was the type made post 1952 and they are now made in plastic cases.
by T'owd Mon
Sat Feb 21, 2026 4:29 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.
Replies: 12
Views: 1198

Re: Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.

To answer a few questions. The gun was made for Nitro loads. I use a small charge of a fast burning powder called Vectan AS. It's French so maybe not available your side. Red Dot can be used but gives an indifferent burn and Bullseye is a bit too fast. Felt wads throughout and roll crimped. Snap cap...
by T'owd Mon
Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:40 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.
Replies: 12
Views: 1198

Are 2 inches enough? Something from the Gunroom.

Here is something else I have dug out from the gun cabinet; a 2 inch chambered 12 bore box-lock ejector by J. & W.Tolley of Birmingham. These guns were a fashion in the 1930's and intended for the 'Older Gentleman' who desired a 12 bore but firing a more gentle cartridge. Most of the box-lock ac...
by T'owd Mon
Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:32 am
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: 1948 JC Higgins restoration
Replies: 12
Views: 863

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

I remember many years ago getting hold of one of those old bolt action Marlin goose guns with the enormously long barrels and doing it up just for fun. I passed it on so can't remember what happened to it. Never used in anger and just shot a few clays with it to see how it performed.
by T'owd Mon
Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:47 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun
Replies: 34
Views: 5192

Re: Pick 10 - Cartridges. Rifle/Handgun

My selection. Less than 10 because the b....ds stopped us having handguns. .22 rim-fire. A.22 centre fire; I have a .22/250 A good all round deer rifle; I use a 7x64mm. although a .308 would be a good alternative. A .375 H&H Magnum (because I have one which is good for large deer coupled with 23...
by T'owd Mon
Tue Feb 03, 2026 5:37 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another One From thre Gun Cabinet.
Replies: 5
Views: 802

Re: Another One From thre Gun Cabinet.

Thanks. I did have to part with a few guns from my collection to be able to buy this one when the chance came up. Too good to miss! I'd never be able to afford a new one. Here you are; Holland's have a pre-owned pair for sale. This is what I mean by the 3rd. model with the hand detachable locks. Don...
by T'owd Mon
Mon Feb 02, 2026 4:48 pm
Forum: General Firearms
Topic: Another One From thre Gun Cabinet.
Replies: 5
Views: 802

Another One From thre Gun Cabinet.

Thought it about time I posted something that may be of interest. This time one of my favourite guns from when I go shooting woodpigeon. This is a double 12 bore by Holland & Holland of London. The model is the 'Holland & Holland Royal Hammerless Ejector' and was made at the turn of the last...