Charles Boswell Side by Side Question

W

wetcoaster

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
B.C.
Hi all,

I have a good friend who has a side by side Charles Boswell live pigeon gun dating to1912 – Charles Boswell, Maker. 126 Strand London W.C.
He is doing a bit of research and believes it would have originally had a semi pistol gripand that may have been cut down in the past as now has a pad on it. The cross hatching continues from the sides to the underside and the match is quite good if it was cut. Has anyone heard of a straight hand stock variant of this firearm? (just in case). Alternatively, does anyone know if replacement or replica stocks might be available should hewish to go that route?

I thought some of you shotty enthusiasts out there might be able to provide some insight.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
.
Since it is an English made shotgun, a straight grip is quite normal for the type. Many shooters consider the straight grip on a double shotgun easier and faster to use the second barrel. The older English style of shotgunning had one hand on the barrels, well forward of the forestock, so "splinter" type forestocks were also normal.

If you "google" the name "Charles Boswell shotgun" you will find out that the company has been resurrected ( information in 2005 ) and is producing some expensive shotguns. They can probably give you a lot more information if you supply them GOOD pictures and serial numbers, etc.

The Boswell shotguns were considered high end and well made. Whatever your buddy does, DO NOT ALTER IT without getting a lot more good information on it. A new Boswell shogun would probably be in the "I really can't afford that range," as, according to the company's website, well over 1000 hours are used to make one today.

Try this address.

If you own a Charles Boswell and wish to have some information about your gun, send a check for $50.00 to C. B. Gunmakers, c/o Chris Batha, 43 Pinckney Colony Road, Okatie, SC 29909-4100, and you will receive a copy of the page from the original records showing the details of your shotgun or rifle.
.
 
Last edited:
I think it fairly unlikely that a true pigeon gun would have had a straight hand stock. Pictures might help us. Information from Chris Batha would help even more.

A good stock maker could probably tell just from looking at it.
 
These guns were mostly custom made to the purchaser's stock measurements and personal preferences, the stock could have been straight, semi pistol or full pistol grip when made, right handed, left handed, you name it, whatever the customer wanted. No two were identical, although most true live pigeon guns share at least some common features. Boswell, although known as maker of very good competition guns, along with other British makers made far more field guns for hunting that pigeon guns. What makes your friend believe this is a live pigeon gun? As mentioned, contact Charles Boswell with as much detail on the gun as possible including the serial number directly to find out the available information on this particular gun but expect to pay for the service, these businesses don't do record searches and authentications for free. No you can not buy a replacement or replica stock for this gun. Every part including the stock was hand made and hand fitted to the finest tolerances for tis particular gun only and there are no interchangeable parts for handmade guns and very few people today have the skill to make these parts to this exacting standard and most people can't understand why this is so expensive. Pictures and a detailed description would be nice.
 
My understanding is that the original Charles Boswell company was bombed out during the Blitz and the records were lost. The "cross hatching" is called checkering. The pad may or may not be original. Otherwise I agree with Buffdog & Ashcroft (pretty catchy name for a gunmaker right there). Post some pics, including the proof marks, and we'll be able to figure out what your friend has fairly quickly.
 
How long is the bottom trigger guard tang? Although not a 100% method of telling, but usually a pistol grip type stock will have a short bottom tang while a straight grip stock will have a fair bit longer tang. So if it has a short tang, chances are it was converted to a straight stock.
 
Further to the conversation, many guns made for live pigeon cometition will be found to have original 2 3/4" or longer chambers, a wide flat rib, perhaps hand filed to reduce glare, a third locking bite, side clips at the barrel/ action join, tight chokes particularly in the left barrel but sometimes in both, heavier than the standard game (field) gun, perhaps stocked straighter for rising birds, sometimes a very high degree of finish, or a combination of these features and others. The presence or absence of these features does not reliably denote a live pigeon gun but a combination of these features would certainly make it a good possibilty. Today these guns are still very useful because they accept modern North American standard ammunition and are equally at home on the range and in the field, usefulness being dependant on gunfit to the shooter and suitable chokes for the task at hand. Because many live pigeon guns were originally purchased by by well heeled buyers the original build quality and finish can be of the highest order regardless of maker, visualize Perazzi, Kreighoff, Blaser, Beretta SO series today.
 
.
Quote
"My understanding is that the original Charles Boswell company was bombed out during the Blitz and the records were lost."

Although Boswell was bombed during WWII, apparently this new Company has MOST of the records.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom