The Classic Doubles brand...

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I recently ran across one of these firearms in a local gun store.
But, I was a few minutes late as it was already sold and the guy was showing it off as his New SxS.
From what I gathered it was a Miruko branded SxS?
Anyone have more details and history?
My blue book of Gun Values doesnt offer me much and that and Google leave me searching for more.
Thanks for any info.
Rob
 
It was a repro of the Winchester 101, IIRC. Made in the US. Later reformed under the Connecticut Valley Classic name.

The Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company had all the parts, machinery and jigs for sale about 10 years ago. IIRC they were asking $100,000.


edit to add: Are you sure it was a SxS? If so, then likely the product of a separate company, Ithaca Classic Doubles, US built SxS under license from Ithaca.

All these efforts go under eventually.

Even CSMC is toast, shortly.
 
canvasback, yes I am sure it was a SxS ��
It is coming back to me now in that Muruko was something else and the Win101 jogged my memory.
Thank You for this information.
I liked the feel of it and the heft not to mention it felt as though I could shoot it.
I was only able to fondle it a bit, before the new owner had to scoot for dinner, his wife was becoming him.
Thanks Again,
Rob
 
Classic Doubles did produce a sxs but not for very long and they didn't make very many.

The Winchester 101, 23 and Parker Reproductions were produced at the Olin Kodensha plan in Tochigi, Japan. When Winchester got out of the Olin Kodensha deal in the late 80's and ceased production of the 101 and 23 they sold the rights to the guns to Classic Doubles who carried on with the 101 and produced the Model 201 sxs which is based on the Parker reproductions. Classic Doubles didn't make a go of it and their remaining inventory was sold to Jaqua's in Findlay, Ohio.
 
In 1979, Olin Industries ( then "Winchester" ) sold their White Flyer line of clay targets to Reagent Chemical Co., whose CEO, Tom Skeuse, was a very dedicated shooter.
When Winchester ceased production of the Model 96 ( a plain-jane 101) Model 101 O/U and Model 23 in 1988, Mr. Skeuse formed the Classic Doubles company and had the same arms produced. They wore a made in Japan branding, but were marketed out of St. Louis. The Classic Doubles O/U's came in a variety of forms, Trap, Skeet, including a 4-barrel set, Sporting & Waterfowl. Most had very nice walnut ( Cali'co Hardwoods, CA, a division of Reagent Chemical who also produces walnut veneers for Lexus, BMW, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Jaguar) and featured very nice checkering on redesigned stocks that also had more friendly shooters dimensions.

When Reagent decided to get out of the firearms business, they sold all remaining stock ( according to George Ranzau, Cam Jaqua's husband ) to Jaquas's in Findlay, OH and Southwest Shooters Supply in Phoenix, AZ. I remember seeing maybe 75 O/U's and a dozen SxS's boxed and awaiting sake there. In Ontario, retail for an O/U Skeet at the time was around $2500 CDN. At Jaqua's, IIRC, they were on "clearance sale" for $1599 US. A field 101 retailed for around $1900 CDN one year earlier.

I had a few Classic Doubles, including a Sporter, a 12 and a 20 ga Skeet O/U and a 4 barrel Skeet set. No complaints with any of them. The Model 201's I saw reminded me more
of simplified Model 21 Winchester's with their relatively long frames, than Parkers. From my standpoint, they were a worked over Model 23 Winchester.

Good guns and no complaints with any of the ones I owned !
 
beretta boy said:
In 1979, Olin Industries ( then "Winchester" ) sold their White Flyer line of clay targets to Reagent Chemical Co., whose CEO, Tom Skeuse, was a very dedicated shooter.
When Winchester ceased production of the Model 96 ( a plain-jane 101) Model 101 O/U and Model 23 in 1988, Mr. Skeuse formed the Classic Doubles company and had the same arms produced. They wore a made in Japan branding, but were marketed out of St. Louis. The Classic Doubles O/U's came in a variety of forms, Trap, Skeet, including a 4-barrel set, Sporting & Waterfowl. Most had very nice walnut ( Cali'co Hardwoods, CA, a division of Reagent Chemical who also produces walnut veneers for Lexus, BMW, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Jaguar) and featured very nice checkering on redesigned stocks that also had more friendly shooters dimensions.

When Reagent decided to get out of the firearms business, they sold all remaining stock ( according to George Ranzau, Cam Jaqua's husband ) to Jaquas's in Findlay, OH and Southwest Shooters Supply in Phoenix, AZ. I remember seeing maybe 75 O/U's and a dozen SxS's boxed and awaiting sake there. In Ontario, retail for an O/U Skeet at the time was around $2500 CDN. At Jaqua's, IIRC, they were on "clearance sale" for $1599 US. A field 101 retailed for around $1900 CDN one year earlier.

I had a few Classic Doubles, including a Sporter, a 12 and a 20 ga Skeet O/U and a 4 barrel Skeet set. No complaints with any of them. The Model 201's I saw reminded me more
of simplified Model 21 Winchester's with their relatively long frames, than Parkers. From my standpoint, they were a worked over Model 23 Winchester.

Good guns and no complaints with any of the ones I owned !
Click to expand...

You have a good memory for details young fella. I also was one that made the pilgrimage trip to Jaqua's in Findlay where I picked up a skeet version. My only regret was not buying a few different versions in smaller gauges. I remember them piled up in the middle of the floor in boxes as mine came out of that pile. I also got a new Classic Doubles luggage case to put mine in. I still have mine, it fits me like an old glove and I will probably never part with it.
 
During a trip to the Grand when it was in Vandalia a stop at Jaqua's was mandatory and I recall seeing Classic Doubles o/u there. Very nice but I couldn't help wondering if they would suffer the same stigma as Nikko, Golden Eagle et al. Even though they were made in the same factory by the same people as the Winchester 101 they didn't demand the same price on the resale market without the magic "W" engraved on the barrel.
 
Claybuster said:
Classic Doubles did produce a sxs but not for very long and they didn't make very many.

The Winchester 101, 23 and Parker Reproductions were produced at the Olin Kodensha plan in Tochigi, Japan. When Winchester got out of the Olin Kodensha deal in the late 80's and ceased production of the 101 and 23 they sold the rights to the guns to Classic Doubles who carried on with the 101 and produced the Model 201 sxs which is based on the Parker reproductions. Classic Doubles didn't make a go of it and their remaining inventory was sold to Jaqua's in Findlay, Ohio.
Click to expand...

I cannot recall many details but I was under the impression many years ago when Classic Doubles first got involved they produced the Winchester doubles gun line-up for Winchester for a time in Japan? I still have a Winchester padded countertop matt with all the double guns line-up that reads Winchester Classic Doubles and of course one of the 101's they produced at that time. I have seen Classic Doubles that are branded to their name only and of course were exact copies of the 101.
 
Last edited:
A bit of an update: My bad ... great memory, it's just where do all the details fit !

My earlier post was a bit of a misfire. Tom Skeuse / Reagent Chemical was the force behind Parker Reproductions ... initiated in 1984 from the OK. (Olin Kodensha) plant in Tochigi City, Japan. Tis was a contract with Winchester/Olin, and indeed, the earliest Parker Repros ( '84 to about '89) had "Winchester" and the WP "proof" mark stamped on them. Reagent was located in Middlesex, NJ, but imported their guns through the Parker Division of Reagent Chemicals in Webb City, MO.

Until 1987, "Classic Doubles" was one of Winchester/Olin's "trademarks", ( like Super-X, AA, Ball Powder etc.) used on their Mod. 101's and Mod. 23's. When they decided to wind down their production at OK., they "sold" or contracted out the rights to "101", "23" and "Classic Doubles" to a new company, ( which was also a minority partner in OK ) to Classic Doubles International, an employee group, headed by President Dean Jendsen, former Wincester/Olin V-Pof Marketing. It was this group that produced the Classic 101 and 201, importing them to the US as Classic Doubles Int. via their location in St. Louis, MO.

The 201 (side by side) was designated a new model, designed to outwardly resemble the Model 21 Winchester, and not the Parker Reproduction receiver ... although there were several similarities.

I regret I mixed-up the two individuals, two companies and the two Missouri locations !
 
beretta boy said:
A bit of an update: My bad ... great memory, it's just where do all the details fit !

My earlier post was a bit of a misfire. Tom Skeuse / Reagent Chemical was the force behind Parker Reproductions ... initiated in 1984 from the OK. (Olin Kodensha) plant in Tochigi City, Japan. Tis was a contract with Winchester/Olin, and indeed, the earliest Parker Repros ( '84 to about '89) had "Winchester" and the WP "proof" mark stamped on them. Reagent was located in Middlesex, NJ, but imported their guns through the Parker Division of Reagent Chemicals in Webb City, MO.

Until 1987, "Classic Doubles" was one of Winchester/Olin's "trademarks", ( like Super-X, AA, Ball Powder etc.) used on their Mod. 101's and Mod. 23's. When they decided to wind down their production at OK., they "sold" or contracted out the rights to "101", "23" and "Classic Doubles" to a new company, ( which was also a minority partner in OK ) to Classic Doubles International, an employee group, headed by President Dean Jendsen, former Wincester/Olin V-Pof Marketing. It was this group that produced the Classic 101 and 201, importing them to the US as Classic Doubles Int. via their location in St. Louis, MO.

The 201 (side by side) was designated a new model, designed to outwardly resemble the Model 21 Winchester, and not the Parker Reproduction receiver ... although there were several similarities.

I regret I mixed-up the two individuals, two companies and the two Missouri locations !
Click to expand...

Wow, thats one disclaimer you have there.
Way more information and History than I was able to find in the Blue Book and the internet.
Thanks for the history Lessons guys.
Rob
 
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