Help/Info - Watson Bros SxS

O

oberndorf

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Looking for some info on an old Watson Bros SxS. Any information on quality, collectibility or desirability will be appreciated.

It has automatic ejectors with 30" barrels. Looks like one of a pair and the stock looks like fancy grade or least a better grade.



Thanks
 
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Nope not desirable, may as well send it my way....I'll even pay shipping ;).

Someone more knowledgeable will be around soon, Watson is an English maker with some nice offerings. Keep it!
 
Very nice looking shotgun. If you google Watson Bros. you will find a fair bit of information. They make some fine English doubles. However, value will bit a lot less in Canada if you were to try and sell.
 
There were several gunmakers that traded under the Watson name. Watson Bros. of London is still in business, but not with the original family. You could try contacting them to see if they still have the original records.

Yours appears to be a top quality box-lock from the WWI period, though some pics of the proof marks would help narrow it down to pre- or post- 1925. They moved a few times, and in 1935 were purchased by Grant & Lang, so a full address would help narrow things down as well. Up till 1930 they were at 29 Old Bond St, after that at 13a Pall Mall. Probably 2 1/2" chambers, but you should have that checked before you use it. Many had the chambers lengthened without reproofing. It was indeed once one of a pair.

Stunning piece of wood, I'm starting to get collector envy.
 
From what I can tell, the gun is prior to 1925 and bears original London proof marks. It was reproofed at the Birmingham proof house and also bears Birmingham marks. It has tight bores (13). At least that's how in interpret the marks.
 
gunrunner100 said:
Appears to be 2.5 inch chambers unless the "-" means the chambers were lengthened? I would expect the "2 1/2" would have been struck through.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it has 2 1/2" chambers as yes, it should be indicated otherwise, especially at reproof. Of course nothing to say the chambers haven't been lengthened in North America at some point which would not be on the reproof.
 
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