Frank Malin "Alberta" gun question.

Sharptail

Sharptail

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Some other shotgun boards have been discussing the guns of Frank Malin. Malin made high quality SXS's in London, Ontario from Basque and English (Boswell) barreled actions, employing a bevy of imported English gunsmiths.

On one of the boards, a gentleman writes "Also interesting that Malin's masterwork, the pair of guns made for the Province of Alberta-one of which was given to Charles and Diana as a wedding gift by the Province and one of which is still owned by the Province-was made in the Malin name, not Boswell."

My Provincial government owns one of the masterpieces of Canadian gunmaking history, and I had no idea it even existed. Now, I have to see this gun! Does anyone know where this gun is kept? What branch of government would you make inquiries to in order to locate it? I do not recall seeing any SXS's on my last visit to the Provincial Museum. Come to think of it, I do not recall any news about Alberta presenting the happy Royal Couple with a shotgun. Did the Province commission this pair of guns? Any info regarding the whereabouts of the Malin "Alberta gun" will be much appreciated.

Sharptail
 
Was Alberta too cheap to give a matched pair to the Royal couple?;)

It's not surprising we follow some of the same boards and I also wasn't aware Alberta still had a Malin on the books (or in the gun rack of some cabinet minister perhaps?)

I believe Dan Banting in Oshawa still has a Malin for sale. I saw it years ago and then again more recently at a gun show. He was doing the gun show circuit in Ontario while Gagnon's was being rebuilt after the fire. It was nice enough and came with a hefty price tag. The Malin name draws very different responses from people particularly given some of his (ahem) legal difficulties.

Speaking of other boards did you see these threads on gunshop?

http://gunshop.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=021924

http://gunshop.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=021885;p=0
 
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Egad, a single trigger. How gauche.:p Probably a selective.:eek:

Although the picture isn't great I wouldn't be surprised if the men who made that drank tinto for lunch. Viva el País Vasco....
 
Hr, you found it! Thanks a million. The museum may be keeping it in a back room, I really don't recall seeing it. I'm going to go ask for it and see if they'll let me take a couple of pictures. Perhaps they will have some documentation to go with it. I would be interested in the procurement process. Who was the asst. deputy minister in charge of shotguns?

Claybuster - LOL - I thought exactly the same thing when I first read it. Royal couple, two shotguns - eh, just give 'em one.

I am aware of the clouds surrounding the Malin name, but there is no doubt that he could and did produce some excellent work.

Sharptail
 
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