Hollis and Sons shotgun - worth fixing? Or break down for parts?

KotKotofeich

KotKotofeich

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Just wanted to double check your folks opinions.

Have a Hollis & Sons shotgun with some nice engraving on it but the receiver has a hairline crack. It can be laser welded. It's just a little sloppy on locking right now but I suspect once the crack is fixed that would go away. The weld will go over the engraving so the patina in those areas will be gone - can be restored somewhat but not 100%. Stock will need some repairs.

So, this will lose collectability (if it had any) for sure.

I tend to fall in the trap of "no gun left behind to be destroyed" but should I just let this one go? Are parts useful to anyone? Everything but the actual receiver and the stock looks to be in perfect condition.

Thanks for all your opinions!

Pic to show the engraving, but you can see the crack there too. I have no money into this for now - given as a gift.

iemC0gxh.jpg
 
I could be wrong but I think that is an I Hollis ( I for Isaak), not a J.

Does it have London or British proof marks.

Unlikely the parts would be of much value as each gun was hand made and parts are not interchangeable.
 
The barrels are marked Chas Ingram Glasgow

Does J vs I have any bearing on whether it should be restored? The left side of the letter extends quite a bit more... <shrug> I'm not much of a shotgun guy...

Proof marks:

juFMzhnh.jpg
 
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This was built as a medium quality offering by a medium quality maker. It was comparatively not expensive when new and if in near new condition today with perfect bores, perfect lockup, 85-90% original finishes it srill would not be a valuable gun. The crack could be carefully tig welded keeping the surrounding area cool and then dressed to blend with the gun surfaces, this would need to be done in a jig to close the crack and hold it there while being welded. This would make it solid but I don't think it would solve your massive off face looseness problem because closing the small amount of that crack would not close much of the barrel face to breech gap, it would still need to be rejointed after. This would likely cost more than the gun would be worth. This would be a classic money pit, even with a free gun you would never recover the money you would spend on this gun.
No parts are interchangeable on these old English guns, therefore it would have limited value for parts. Someone might give you $100 for it as is 'just because' but it's time to give the old girl a well earned retirement.
 
gunsaholic said:
If the barrels say Chas Ingram, then I would think they are replacement barrels or sleeved. Scrap the gun.
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Good to know. Should I expect barrel markings to say Hollis something on them? Off to the scrap pile then. Will probably post on EE for a little bit in case someone wants a wall hanger or parts.

Thanks everyone.
 
Where does it say Charles Ingram, Glascow? It's unusual to see a barrel maker and address other than if new barrels were fitted and that would be indicated/engraved on the rib. Anyway, good call to move on from this gun and excellent opinions have been expressed already. It would take a restoration of $1500 or more to make this into a $700 gun. I would send to auction with full disclosure.
 
KotKotofeich said:
Good to know. Should I expect barrel markings to say Hollis something on them? Off to the scrap pile then. Will probably post on EE for a little bit in case someone wants a wall hanger or parts.

Thanks everyone.
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Generally the rib will be marked with the same name, and usually the address, of the name that is on the lock plate. If the rib says Chas Ingram, that could be one reason why the barrels are so off face. Mind you if the barrels were replaced it was some time ago so I imagine they were tight at some point. Unless ,sometime in the not to far past, someone just took an old set of barrels and sort of made them fit to make a complete gun. Either way it's not worth spending money on.
 
Replacement barrels on vintage English guns normally are marked on the top rib with the name of the firm that did the work or not marked at all. It is against the law in Britain for any but tthe maker of the gun from using the original maker's name on it so only I Hollis or successors could mark the rib on a replacement set of barrels with the Hollis name. Another maker can not even reuse the maker's named rib. This gun is older than the barrels and they are over 115 years old and likely in very poor condition internally. This gun was made with 2 1/2" chambers and very likely the crack and the looseness were caused by using heavy 2 3/4" ammo and once the action loosens sufficiently a cracked action is not far behind.
 
Thanks for all the info.

Yes, it's marked on the barrel as Chas Ingram.

Thanks for reminding me about auctions. Will throw it up on Switzer next time (probably their Feb auction) with full disclosure (crack in receiver, stock, non-original barrel).

That way it will make a nice wall hanger for someone. The ivory inlays (?) and engravings will work well for one.
 
This is just my opinion but I wouldn't waste my time sending it to auction. I've seen better guns than this go for next to nothing. I think once full disclosure is given, which should be the case, it will not bring a high bid. You have to get it to the auction house, then you have to pays the seller's fee and tax on the sale. List it here, or on whatever site, as a wall hanger for $125.00 and call it a day. Of course you can gamble and hope for the $500.00 pay out but remember you have the fees to pay even if it doesn't bring anywhere close to that, which I believe it won't.
 
gunsaholic said:
This is just my opinion but I wouldn't waste my time sending it to auction. I've seen better guns than this go for next to nothing. I think once full disclosure is given, which should be the case, it will not bring a high bid. You have to get it to the auction house, then you have to pays the seller's fee and tax on the sale. List it here, or on whatever site, as a wall hanger for $125.00 and call it a day. Of course you can gamble and hope for the $500.00 pay out but remember you have the fees to pay even if it doesn't bring anywhere close to that, which I believe it won't.
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I drive up to Switzers after every auction for pickup anyway so that's not a concern. I have time until I go there so will list it here until then. Sellers fees are not a concern - better that than get stuck with a sad gun just sitting around.

Definitely not expecting a 500 payout on this one :)
 
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