Side-by-Side

[MaxwellRJohnson]

Because I'm a traditionalist and rather like the idea of an old English SbS, I've been browsing recently for one to keep my CG company in the cabinet. 

Could someone in-the-know please give me the lowdown on what I should look out for, what to be wary of, good brands etc? 

This one caught my eye - http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Boswell-Charles_Shotgun_For-Sale_150814155914029 - rather lovely, but I don't know anything about whether Charles Boswell is a good bet or not, for the price asking here, as it's at the top of the budget I've informally given myself.

Others that I've seen:

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Lancaster-Charles_Shotgun_game-gun_For-Sale_150825123716115

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Parker-Hale_Shotgun_For-Sale_150801134534001

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/E-H-Johnson_Shotgun_For-Sale_150816123745259

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers, Max

 

[Salopian]

A Charles Boswell SxS in very good condition would indeed be a nice gun.

To give you some idea imagine your CG was a Skoda or Trabant , your Boswell would be a Bentley or RR .

There are many wonderful English SxS to be bought  at very sensible prices.

Birmingham made boxlocks can be bargains . Consider a Webley & Scott , Greener, or William Powell to name just a few.

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

A Charles Boswell SxS in very good condition would indeed be a nice gun.

So in your opinion is the one above good value? As for the damage to the stock, would that be repairable/worth repairing?

I looked at a couple of Powells but they were all a bit more than what I was looking to spend at the moment!

Cheers!

 

[Will Hewland]

If its a bit of a project, get one with nice wood even if its damaged, priced down accordingly. Refinishing a stock should be £350 and then it will be perfect.

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

Cheers Will, I might have a look over to Cumbria soon and see the Boswell dependent on my currently non-existing funds!

 

[Will Hewland]

Just checked, £350 is absolute max for an oil finish. Could be as low as £60. 

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

That sounds very acceptable! Would you say that £550 is a reasonable value for the Boswell above or should I try to reduce it a bit if I do get it?

Cheers

Max

 

[Will Hewland]

Somebody! No idea I'm afraid. Doesn't sound bad though.

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

Sorry I know I'm asking a lot  :lol:  Cheers anyway 

 

[Finners]

If its a bit of a project, get one with nice wood even if its damaged, priced down accordingly. Refinishing a stock should be £350 and then it will be perfect.

Have you seen the pictures Will? There's a nasty split in the hand of the gun. Can't see that being too easy to repair? It's certainly more than just a re-finish job.

 

[Salopian]

Just looked at the Boswell pictures, that gun in that condition is worth £350 of anyone's money, providing there is nothing else wrong with it????

The damage is repairable , but professionally done would be too expensive.

I think you will find that it will be sold for much less than the asking price.

 

[Will Hewland]

Have you seen the pictures Will? There's a nasty split in the hand of the gun. Can't see that being too easy to repair? It's certainly more than just a re-finish job.

no sorry just assumed it was a scruffy stock..

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

If I were to get it, it would first and foremost be a tool, so how much would a crack like that in the stock affect its useability? I'm presuming it'll just get worse with use? Or would it be good to go without immediate attention? 

Cheers

 

[Will Hewland]

A crack in a stock can almost always be glued and end up really strong. Do NOT shoot a gun with cracked stock, or you can end up with a scrap stock as it shatters.

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

Do NOT shoot a gun with cracked stock, or you can end up with a scrap stock as it shatters.

I was sure that would be the case! cheers!

In that case I'd probably get it glued until such a time when I can afford a more permanent fix  :mellow:

 

[Will Hewland]

I was sure that would be the case! cheers!

In that case I'd probably get it glued until such a time when I can afford a more permanent fix  :mellow:

My stock cracked in 2008 when the gun was almost new. Had it glued then, still perfect. Glue is stronger than wood!

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

My stock cracked in 2008 when the gun was almost new. Had it glued then, still perfect. Glue is stronger than wood!

Now that's good to hear! How much did the gluing cost? 

 

[Will Hewland]

£10. But it was a small crack.

 

[MaxwellRJohnson]

Grand, cheers for your advice!