W.R. Pape (Pics)

[oberndorf]

Looking for info on an old Pape 12ga. Its a large action with 3 inch chambers. Barrels are 30.5" long and 3/4 choked. The gun weighs 8lbs.

Is Newcastle-On-Tyne considered a Birmingham gun? The proof-marks are Birmingham. There is SUP with 2 crowns over it, 12-76 and also 850 Bar. There is also a R with some symbol over it.

Any help will be appreciated. I have posted on a few other forums and will share any info I get.Thanks.

 

[Mike Webb]

Can't really help with info but that is obviously a high end double. Very nice engraving. Why do you think it is a 3 inch chambered gun?

 

[hunter5425]

Try this
ht tp://www.wrpape.co.uk/4.html

 

[oberndorf]

Thanks.

Mike - I think it must be a water-fowling or live pigeon gun hence the 3" chambers. From the serial# it was made in 1891.

 

[Mike Webb]

I didn't think a twelve gauge 3 inch chamber was even available before the 1930's. Do the proof marks claim it is a 3 inch chamber?

 

[leadhead36]

i found a w.r pape sxs 12 ga. with internal hammers for 5 g's

 

[leadhead36]

guns international has one that looks like yours for 6000

 

[tiriaq]

Could you post a photo of the barrels and water table showing the proofs?

 

[oberndorf]

Thanks everyone for the info.

Leadhead36 - The gun that Guns international has for sale for 6K is very similar to mine. The serial # are also only 200 apart. Only difference is mine is quite a large heavy gun, my gun is 3" proofed and weighs 8 lbs, the gun on GI is 2.5" chambers and weighs 6.10 lbs. Can you please share a few pics of your Pape..


Tiriaq - I will post some pictures of the WT as soon as I can.

 

[leadhead36]

Thanks everyone for the info.

Leadhead36 - The gun that Guns international has for sale for 6K is very similar to mine. The serial # are also only 200 apart. Only difference is mine is quite a large heavy gun, my gun is 3" proofed and weighs 8 lbs, the gun on GI is 2.5" chambers and weighs 6.10 lbs. Can you please share a few pics of your Pape..


Tiriaq - I will post some pictures of the WT as soon as I can.

ok cool

 

[oberndorf]

I didn't think a twelve gauge 3 inch chamber was even available before the 1930's. Do the proof marks claim it is a 3 inch chamber?

Mike - Montgomery Ward sold 3" shells as early as 1895. The proof marks show it as 12-76.

Check out their catalog


http://books.google.ca/books?id=zWe...gHF9o2GDQ&ved=0CFAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[oberndorf]

Pic of the proof-marks...It says 3" and SUP which is magnum proof.

 

[gunsaholic]

Does the R not mean the gun was submitted for reproof?

 

[albertaal]

Mike - Montgomery Ward sold 3" shells as early as 1895. The proof marks show it as 12-76.

Check out their catalog


http://books.google.ca/books?id=zWe...gHF9o2GDQ&ved=0CFAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Mike,

Ithaca, L.C. Smith, and Winchester were famous for their 3 inch side by sides duck guns back in that era. I wish I had one,they'd be fun with bismuth.

 

[albertaal]

Pic of the proof-marks...It says 3" and SUP which is magnum proof.

Oberndorf,

Wow that is a real beauty!

 

[tiriaq]

It was definitely reproofed.
18.6 and 12-76 are modern metric.
Is the twin crown plus SUP mark British?

It is a lovely old waterfowler. You are fortunate to have it.

 

[Mike Webb]

Mike - Montgomery Ward sold 3" shells as early as 1895. The proof marks show it as 12-76.

Check out their catalog


http://books.google.ca/books?id=zWe...gHF9o2GDQ&ved=0CFAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Well, you learn something every day. I guess I was thinking about the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun, maybe the first 3 inch magnum repeater? Thanks for the info.

 

[oberndorf]

It was definitely reproofed.
18.6 and 12-76 are modern metric.
Is the twin crown plus SUP mark British?

It is a lovely old waterfowler. You are fortunate to have it.

The twin crown over sup is British. It is the mark for magnum proof , I think it is over 19000psi.

 

[Baribal]

It was re-proofed in '91, hence the Birmingham S X C, and what I read as a 5 below the crossed sword, would be inspector #5. The 850 bar (12 328 PSI) is the standard test pressure and was added in '91, prior to the SUP "Supplementary Proof" at 1200 bar (17 405 PSI).
The 3" rechambering must have been done just before it was re-proofed.
BTW this gun was NOT proofed for Steel Shots (would have get a Fleur de Lys stamp if so).

This gun bares a real history of proofing....
Really, really nice gun.

 

[oberndorf]

Thanks Baribal for the info.

There is also the 12 LC mark which makes me think the gun originally with long chambers. I have a w.j. Jeffery hammer live pigeon gun which originally came with 2 3/4 chambers but it only has a 12 C in a diamond mark.