Figuring out value on older Webley and Scott shotgun with pics

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bobjoe

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Hello,

I don’t know a lot about this shotgun, back story is it belonged to a distance relative and no one else wanted it so given to me. I have no use for it but not a lot on info on it. I have seen prices all over the map. Based on the serial number its a 1911. I know generally it’s worth what people are willing to pay but I don’t want to get taken by someone. I have seen $3500 upto $10000 for some models. Any help would be appreciated. I do intend on posting it after this.











 
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I really doubt that is the original stock set. Someone set it up for trap?
Is the receiver painted?
 
I think you would have a hard time getting 2 grand for it. The market for English SxS's is pretty soft right now. I bought a W&C Scott box lock over 25 years ago, and I doubt I could get what I paid for it now, even though it wasn't terribly overpriced at the time.

Your gun has some interesting features; single trigger, disc set strikers, and ejectors. I agree with Tiriaq that the stock is not original, and I have doubts about that rib.
 
tiriaq said:
I really doubt that is the original stock set. Someone set it up for trap?
Is the receiver painted?
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It doesn’t look like it is painted. Looks like blueing. As for the stock set they do match but I did suspect that the butt plate was changed. Again I know very little of its origins.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Paging Ashcroft.....
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Well it’s different. Originally made with 2 1/2” chambers (1 1/8 oz proofs), but who knows now? It looks like a very basic Webley & Scott with the additional extra charge disk set strikers, single trigger and ejectors, using the very sturdy Webley & Brain lockup. This gun was designed for hard use and built to last for a long time. The stock appears to be maple, and while I suppose W&S could have had the gun modified before delivery it almost certainly was done in Canada or more likely the US. This gun has been extensively modified for competition, probably trap judging by the high comb. What I see that doesn’t look original……
Vent rib - just about unknown on an English gun of this vintage.
Maple? Stock - not normally used on English guns.
Monte Carlo butt stock - very rarely shows up on custom stocked English guns made for a very tall, long necked shooter ( like 6’6”). But never with that exaggerated tight grip, white spacers, and certainly with the adjustable recoil pad.
Extra long beavertail forend - an American invention.
Without being able to measure the stock it looks like a modest grade gun that has been modified and custom restocked for a very tall North American trapshooter. Pre 1960 and the popularity surge of over/under guns, side by sides were seen more commonly on North American trap fields than today. It may have been set up for International Trap or more likely Live Pigeon competition. Including the ventilated rib and possibly a custom trigger these modifications represent a considerable investment, it must have been worth it to somebody although general lack of wear suggests little actual use. Value??? Welllll……
As an original basic Webley & Scott field gun in Very Good original condition in our currently depressed market, it would be hard to get $1000. But if it’s been rechambered to 2 3/4” with no reproof that goes down. Bore condition?? Lockup?? Trigger operation?? Ejector operation?? Most people won’t pay a premium for a modified gun because like a custom car it doesn’t meet THEIR vision, best values always follows best ORIGINAL condition. And yes, there are a very few very high grade Webley and Scott guns out there that can sometimes bring a premium price but this isn’t one of them.
 
I would completely concur with Ashcroft’s assessment of what it is and what it’s worth. Something south of $1000 unless you found that unicorn buyer whose dream gun is a modified for trap English SxS.
 
Ashcroft said:
Well it’s different. Originally made with 2 1/2” chambers (1 1/8 oz proofs), but who knows now? It looks like a very basic Webley & Scott with the additional extra charge disk set strikers, single trigger and ejectors, using the very sturdy Webley & Brain lockup. This gun was designed for hard use and built to last for a long time. The stock appears to be maple, and while I suppose W&S could have had the gun modified before delivery it almost certainly was done in Canada or more likely the US. This gun has been extensively modified for competition, probably trap judging by the high comb. What I see that doesn’t look original……
Vent rib - just about unknown on an English gun of this vintage.
Maple? Stock - not normally used on English guns.
Monte Carlo butt stock - very rarely shows up on custom stocked English guns made for a very tall, long necked shooter ( like 6’6”). But never with that exaggerated tight grip, white spacers, and certainly with the adjustable recoil pad.
Extra long beavertail forend - an American invention.
Without being able to measure the stock it looks like a modest grade gun that has been modified and custom restocked for a very tall North American trapshooter. Pre 1960 and the popularity surge of over/under guns, side by sides were seen more commonly on North American trap fields than today. It may have been set up for International Trap or more likely Live Pigeon competition. Including the ventilated rib and possibly a custom trigger these modifications represent a considerable investment, it must have been worth it to somebody although general lack of wear suggests little actual use. Value??? Welllll……
As an original basic Webley & Scott field gun in Very Good original condition in our currently depressed market, it would be hard to get $1000. But if it’s been rechambered to 2 3/4” with no reproof that goes down. Bore condition?? Lockup?? Trigger operation?? Ejector operation?? Most people won’t pay a premium for a modified gun because like a custom car it doesn’t meet THEIR vision, best values always follows best ORIGINAL condition. And yes, there are a very few very high grade Webley and Scott guns out there that can sometimes bring a premium price but this isn’t one of them.
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I appreciate the information. I am not surprised, while I know little about older English shotgun, some things looked off but I wasn’t sure.
It locks up tight, trigger works, it does eject, bore is decent but might have some slight pitting near the chamber I just haven’t cleaned the bore to be sure.
 
iron cat said:
Yup, take a socket and extension tgat will just fit in the chamber .
Slide it in until it stops. Then measure from the end of the socket.
That will give you your chamber length .
Cat
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Well I just tried with some shotgun shells, the 2 3/4 and 3” dropped right in. The 3.5” stopped a bit shy of going all the way in. Measuring the distance I got 2.879”. Now using a 14mm socket and extension, the largest that would fit, going until it stops measures at 3.028 On my digital micrometer there is a pin that comes out when I measure and when at the 3.028 it looks like it is about half way up the area of the forcing cone. When I set my micrometer to 2.750 it looks like it goes to the start of the cone line. Based on this I’m guessing its still a 2 1/2”
 
Yes, an unfired 2 3/4 inch shell will drop right into a 2 1/2 inch chamber. if you can pick up a fired 2 3/4 shouildn't drop right in without pushing it with your fingers if chamber is 2 1/2 inch. Brownells sell a steel gauge with lines on the outside corresponding to 2 1/2, 2 3/4 and 3 inch if there's a gunsmith handy to you.
 
I have a small bore gauge in brass that looks a bit like those thickness gauges. It's from Galazon in New Britain CT. USA (measures all gauges, depths, and chokes) and is great for this purpose and handy at Gun shows.
 
bobjoe said:
I should said that I used unfired shells as I don’t have any fired laying around.
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Fairly basic concept, I think - shotgun shells are measured at length when they are fired - so when unfired, will be much shorter - and I notice various makers have different ideas of exact length to make hulls. Also varies with whether a folded crimp was used or a rolled crimp - but in the end, the fired shell is what the chamber was cut to accommodate - not the unfired size. So, yes, is most likely that you can drop in a 3" unfired shell into a 2 3/4" chamber. It won't measure 3" when unfired, either.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Would have to damn near gift wrap and give the gun away
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Yes the value is not high unless one is lucky enough to find a buyer who is captivated by the name alone. The gun served its purpose in it's day for whoever had it customized to their particular build and purpose. I don't know if it still has 2 1/2" chambers but I'd bet it has seen mainly a diet of 2 3/4" over the years!
 
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