W Chance and Son

[Reflex799]

Hey guys. I have this musket that I am trying to date and also find some info about the maker. The only thing that is written on is is W Chance & Son. And on the top of the barrel is London - Stub Twist.

Does anyone know anything about this maker and maybe a way that I can date this thanks.
Also I am new to this and trying to figure out how to add photos lol.

 

[tiriaq]

Here are photos of Reflex799's W. Chance & Son sporting rifle. Very fine piece!

 

[Stephen Nash]

From a posting on the DoubleGunBBS, "William Chance, a merchant of Birmingham England 1777-1780 became Chance & Homer, then William Chance & Sons 1812-1821. He sold guns marked London. William Chance the 2nd, son of William, 2 Coleman Street Bldgs. London 1829-1842 became William Chance Son & Co. 1842-1856; then William Chance & Co. 1858."

As I can't find any trace of Chance as a gun maker in any of the British reference books, he may have been a general-goods retailer selling Birmingham-made guns marked "London" for marketing purposes (this is not a criticism - almost all London-marked guns were made in Birmingham). This also takes nothing from the gun itself, which looks to be a very fine piece - I believe it has a set trigger?

From the Internet Gun Club database, William Chance and Son also had an office in New York city, New York, in business from 1842 to 1853.

That is a lovely gun, in quite remarkable condition!

 

[Sir Richard]

Beautiful piece a work of art.

 

[gunsaholic]

Very nice rifle. I was thinking of bidding on that one but decided against it.