Guns & Outdoors Forum

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 actions were made by Skimmin & Wood of Birmingham and sold through the gun trade to be finished by 'other Makers'. 2" guns can be found bearing various other names. Tolleys were merged with Skimmin & Wood. Previously the Tolley name was more associated with big bore wildfowl guns.
The 2 inch cartridge typically fires a load of shot at 7/8th. ounce, (a 20 bore load in a 12 bore). The 2" gun was noted for its excellent patterning ability. When first introduced the Proof House had a slight problem as the shortest chamber 12 bore cartridge was the 2 1/2" Proofed at 1 1/8th. ounce. Eventually a compromise solution was found and a 2 inch Proof Charge introduced. Earlier examples will be found with the earlier Proof markings. These guns were made as light as reasonable and this one weighs a little over 5 1/2 pounds with 27 inch barrels. To avoid confusion the barrels are almost invariably marked 'For 2 inch Cartridges Only'; in this case in gold lettering. I have tried to see if a longer cartridge can enter the chamber and found that it was stopped by the forcing cone. (Just an experiment with no earthly intention to fire it).
Some of these guns have found their way across the Atlantic and are much sought after for quail shooting because of their handling abilities. Here only two firms supply ammunition for these guns and they are Lyalvale Express and Eley. The Lyalvales are plastic wadded and a little punchy so I tend to stick to Eley's of load my own. Few were ever made after the 1930's although I have seen odd side-lock examples made by top London Makers presumably for special order. These guns are a delight to shoot and especially useful for rabbits bolting in cover or pigeon shooting in close woodland.

THAT, boys and girls, is how you fit parts together. PRETTY!

I'm not super-geeky on shotgun ammo history, or the transition from black powder to smokeless in shotshells, but the thing that is obvious when you look at modern wads, or take a modern shell apart, is that our 2 3/4 and 3" shells are mainly manufactured to their shape and size so that they will mechanically function in repeating actions. The major purpose of the wad seems to be to take up empty space left after you decide on a shot charge and how much powder you need to throw it at the desired speed.

On a break-action, make it only as long as you need.

A fine looking shotgun. Probably made for BP shells, but maybe not.

As always, I’m in awe of what you post here. Just a gorgeous gun

People who make bank vaults could take lessons from the smiths that crafted that.

Spectacular! Thanks for sharing.

Bigslug wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 4:25 pm THAT, boys and girls, is how you fit parts together. PRETTY!

I'm not super-geeky on shotgun ammo history, or the transition from black powder to smokeless in shotshells, but the thing that is obvious when you look at modern wads, or take a modern shell apart, is that our 2 3/4 and 3" shells are mainly manufactured to their shape and size so that they will mechanically function in repeating actions. The major purpose of the wad seems to be to take up empty space left after you decide on a shot charge and how much powder you need to throw it at the desired speed.

On a break-action, make it only as long as you need.

I agree with Slug
I remember reloading 12ga for ducks needing 11/2 oz shot and a
different wad / shot cup to accommodate more shot and different powder than the quail loads running 1oz or 11/8 oz and 3 drams of powder.
If you get real curious you can use an over shot wad roll crimped and just trim off the 1/4 in or so of crimp length and find suitable length shot cup to fit 2in.

What’s the story with the add on to the stock?

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:12 pm What’s the story with the add on to the stock?

It was originally sized for someone small. Possibly a carny.

Mike, as usual you take my breath away with your collection. I'd like to know what the brass button on the stock is. I'm also curious about what's in the case. I see there's ammo but what are the two silver buttons set by themselves, snap caps? What is the silver canister? I can only assume the rod I see in the front is a three piece cleaning rod. Did the gunsmith make these display cases or were they contracted.

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 caps Freezer and an oil bottle with two piece cleaning rod. The case was made for the gun and would have been bought with it. This type of case is known as a light weight motor case. Looks like it may have had the stock shortened in the past then had to be re-fitted. A case bought with a gun would come with all the required fittings to maintain the gun in the field on a day out. These 2" guns were a short lived fad and making them probably ended around the time of the start of the war in 1939. Most were made in the 1930's and will always attract a premium over other box-lock ejectors. Here is a picture of some 2 inch cartridges and boxes. The red box is rare and only made between 1935 and 1936.

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.

I've seen the oil bottles listed as Vaseline containers in English terms. Makes sense, as it's not runny like oil.