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IanC
.224 member

Reged: 29/01/07
Posts: 2
Loc: Ontario, Canada

Antique English SXS need info/ID
#70612 - 01/02/07 11:09 AM

A member from gunboards suggested i post this here.

This is a W. Harris and co Empire fine twist shotgun.
I have searched several boards to get information on this
shotgun but have come up with very little.
Has anoyone seen one of these before? Trying to get info on when
it was made, where, How much its worth, you know stuff like that.
The only history i can provide is it was found in grandmas basement this year in ontario canada.
Thanks
IanC

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500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Antique English SXS need info/ID [Re: IanC]
#70613 - 01/02/07 11:16 AM

For a start look at any Stephen Grant Sidelever Shotguns and
do a comparison with the locks, lever to see if it is one of theirs - they made alot of Sidelever guns.

Will have a closer look later at the proof marks etc.

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Marrakai
.416 member

Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3491
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: Antique English SXS need info/ID [Re: 500Nitro]
#70631 - 01/02/07 11:58 PM

I think Stephen Grant would be rolling over in his grave.....

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you on the photo layout, a good many new posters expect mind-readers here, but you have made it as easy as possible to make a fair assessment of the gun in question. However... !

It's an interesting old heirloom, but the fairly 'ordinary' standard of engraving and general lack of build quality are not indicative of a valuable gun.

Hard to tell from the photos, but it looks loose, and the breech-face is rather untidy. Are there any dents in the barrels? What are the bores like?

Some of the guys here are proof-mark gurus, and they will no doubt give you a window for date of manufacture.

Welcome to NE.com BTW, Ian. Although your first replies may not be overly encouraging I'm sure you'll find plenty of interest here if you stick around.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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IanC
.224 member

Reged: 29/01/07
Posts: 2
Loc: Ontario, Canada

Re: Antique English SXS need info/ID [Re: Marrakai]
#70690 - 02/02/07 03:09 PM

Thanks for warm welcome. Im new to this forum but have been looking at the various forums for years.
I know what you mean by some people expecting mind reading. I have been trying to get a fix
on this gun for a few months now so I figured good photos make the difference.

Good eye Marrakai, it is quite loose and is "elegantly crude" the engraving could be better.
Antique middle of the road gun. The bore is in poor condition or more or less the same condition
as the rest of the gun, pitted inside and out. No dents in the barrel though. Someone at the club was also crazy enough to shoot it for me with some light loads. It works fine.

Does anyone else want to add some input?
IanC

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paradox_
.375 member

Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia

Re: Antique English SXS need info/ID [Re: IanC]
#78974 - 19/05/07 08:09 PM

Ian,
Forget the " Grant " reference, he was a much better maker than this gun, may as well suggest it was made by "Boss", they made lots sidelevers too!!
This is clearly an example of many guns made by a good provincial English maker, condition indicates gun is of little value , however the sidelever looks like it may be an interesting early patent and therefore may be of interest to a researcher/collector.

Hope this helps

Eric

--------------------
Walk softly and carry a big stick

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400NitroExpress
.400 member

Reged: 26/11/03
Posts: 1154
Loc: Lone Star State

Re: Antique English SXS need info/ID [Re: paradox_]
#79864 - 04/06/07 01:22 AM

If there is choke in either barrel, it was built before 1875. Birmingham marks, and was most likely made there. There were several listings for W. Harris in Birmingham in the 19th century.

--------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

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