W.R. Pape's Engraver?
- Thread starter Anvil
- Start date
I do not know, but Douglas Tate has a book on British Gun Engraving in which a Pape boxlock is featured - you may find some leads there. In the time frame you mention, Pape was supplying guns to the Japanese under contract, it is likely that he had one or two house engravers trained to the Pape style. Engraving for high grade guns would likely be outsourced. There are some real experts at gunshop.com and internetgunclub.com who may be able to help.
Pape made great guns, historically interesting (Pape claimed to have invented choke boring) and capable of winning buyers away from Birmingham and London manufacturers. Could you please describe the gun, or show us a photo? Is it a sidelock or boxlock? Barrel length and material? Locking system? I bet the walnut is nice. Do you shoot it, and if so with what shells? Such an interesting piece deserves description and display.
Sharptail
Pape made great guns, historically interesting (Pape claimed to have invented choke boring) and capable of winning buyers away from Birmingham and London manufacturers. Could you please describe the gun, or show us a photo? Is it a sidelock or boxlock? Barrel length and material? Locking system? I bet the walnut is nice. Do you shoot it, and if so with what shells? Such an interesting piece deserves description and display.
Sharptail
Thanks for the lead Sharptail. I can always use an excuse to buy another book ( or gun ).
I think I may have to scrape together a few more IQ points and try to post a photo. I haven't tried to do it yet.
The gun is a 12 bore, boxlock, 27 inch barrells choked full and 1/2 of "Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel". This gun was built for rough shooting and has a full crossover stock, which fits me perfectly. I'm right handed, left eye dominant. The chambers are 2 5/8" and I shoot 2 1/2" Gamebore paper cartridges.
I hunt with it sparingly, the left barrel is only 15 thousands thick (thin?) on the outside edge and I don't want to dent it. There is no room to raise a serious dent. The barrels are both perfectly sized internally, so as far as I can tell , it is still in proof.
The gun is in a typical English oak and leather case that in decent shape, considering it is ~100 years old. There are traces of steamship labels all over the case, I wish the label were still there so I could know a little more about where it went.
The maker's label is still mostly intact, and it mentions the Japanese contracts.
Any idea who might have Pape's records? I have Boothroyds directory, but it doesn't say if another maker acquired the company.
I think I may have to scrape together a few more IQ points and try to post a photo. I haven't tried to do it yet.
The gun is a 12 bore, boxlock, 27 inch barrells choked full and 1/2 of "Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel". This gun was built for rough shooting and has a full crossover stock, which fits me perfectly. I'm right handed, left eye dominant. The chambers are 2 5/8" and I shoot 2 1/2" Gamebore paper cartridges.
I hunt with it sparingly, the left barrel is only 15 thousands thick (thin?) on the outside edge and I don't want to dent it. There is no room to raise a serious dent. The barrels are both perfectly sized internally, so as far as I can tell , it is still in proof.
The gun is in a typical English oak and leather case that in decent shape, considering it is ~100 years old. There are traces of steamship labels all over the case, I wish the label were still there so I could know a little more about where it went.
The maker's label is still mostly intact, and it mentions the Japanese contracts.
Any idea who might have Pape's records? I have Boothroyds directory, but it doesn't say if another maker acquired the company.
Anvil, what a wonderful gun. It pleases me no end to hear that you still hunt with it, even if sparingly. The kind of balance and handling that can only be obtained from a fine British double should not be confined to the gun room. To have a cased example with a crossover stock is exceptional! 15 thou on the barrel walls is pretty thin, I wouldn't want to dent those tubes either. I am glad to see you using the Gamebore paper hulls, it would be even better to load your own low pressure shells.
I can find no reference to anyone who might have picked up Pape's records, but they should exist, they should have survived the war(s). Part of what makes the old guns so much fun is discovering their history. If I find anything I'll let you know.
Posting photos is easy, you just need somewhere to store them. This gun should be seen. If you feel so inclined, e-mail a pic to sharptail@shaw.ca and I'll put it up in this thread.
Sharptail
I can find no reference to anyone who might have picked up Pape's records, but they should exist, they should have survived the war(s). Part of what makes the old guns so much fun is discovering their history. If I find anything I'll let you know.
Posting photos is easy, you just need somewhere to store them. This gun should be seen. If you feel so inclined, e-mail a pic to sharptail@shaw.ca and I'll put it up in this thread.
Sharptail
Thanks Sharptail, that was a quick find for the records.
I will take some pictures after Christmas. I'm going away for New Years so it will be a couple of weeks.
While I'm away I'm going to try and stop in at David McKay Brown, I always wanted a round action double and I think the closest I will every come is standing in their shop.
I will take some pictures after Christmas. I'm going away for New Years so it will be a couple of weeks.
While I'm away I'm going to try and stop in at David McKay Brown, I always wanted a round action double and I think the closest I will every come is standing in their shop.
