Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I like the 16 Bore. It seems to me to be the perfect compromise between a lightweight gun, with plenty of capability and they tend be elegantly balanced and styled. A light 12 is nice enough, but the actions can be a little bulky. I am not a great fan of the 20. They tend to be light with irritating level of recoil. And most side by sides have short stocks.
In my combination gun I have a 16 barrel which has proven very effective. I have been looking for a good side by side for quite a while.
I have looked at quite a few. Either been pretty expensive for what they are, or cast well right handed and just don’t fit. Cheaper ones have often been Belgian built fence posts. AYA’s are ok, but wanted something better.
I missed a nice T Ward a few months ago. Almost made for me. It had been sold to an international dealer for export. I did make an offer, but he had already sold it for twice what I offered to one of his clients in the US - probably over US $2k for a boxlock NE.
And then this turned up. A Webley & Scott retailed by George Gibbs of Bristol. Both names are on the barrels. And most of the boxlocks were made by Webley for the trade. Yes I would like a Scottish gun.
This one has been in storage for a long time. It was built in about 1937. Action is nice and tight. Bores are to the original measurements and wall thicknesses at 30+ thou. It has been badly stored - there is some light pitting on the outside of the barrels, and bluing is 65%. Stock is long and fits my 6ft frame. And straight enough for a left handed shot - and could easily be swept if needs be.
I didn’t have to pay very much for it, and even I do have barrels refreshed I am probably still in the money.
But as it is, its the sort of gun that will be ideal for pottering about and if it gets a bit wet or dropped in the marsh - its not the end of the world.
I will give it a gentle refresh. Already cleaned up the stock with Vodka and wire wool which has taken the layer of grime and sweat, and steamed out the worst of the dents. It has a good strong straight grained piece of wood. Not fancy but nice enough. Chokes need to be opened a bit for steel shot - lyevale make a 25gm 2 1/2” steel shot 16 bore cartridge - so future proofed.
In my combination gun I have a 16 barrel which has proven very effective. I have been looking for a good side by side for quite a while.
I have looked at quite a few. Either been pretty expensive for what they are, or cast well right handed and just don’t fit. Cheaper ones have often been Belgian built fence posts. AYA’s are ok, but wanted something better.
I missed a nice T Ward a few months ago. Almost made for me. It had been sold to an international dealer for export. I did make an offer, but he had already sold it for twice what I offered to one of his clients in the US - probably over US $2k for a boxlock NE.
And then this turned up. A Webley & Scott retailed by George Gibbs of Bristol. Both names are on the barrels. And most of the boxlocks were made by Webley for the trade. Yes I would like a Scottish gun.
This one has been in storage for a long time. It was built in about 1937. Action is nice and tight. Bores are to the original measurements and wall thicknesses at 30+ thou. It has been badly stored - there is some light pitting on the outside of the barrels, and bluing is 65%. Stock is long and fits my 6ft frame. And straight enough for a left handed shot - and could easily be swept if needs be.
I didn’t have to pay very much for it, and even I do have barrels refreshed I am probably still in the money.
But as it is, its the sort of gun that will be ideal for pottering about and if it gets a bit wet or dropped in the marsh - its not the end of the world.
I will give it a gentle refresh. Already cleaned up the stock with Vodka and wire wool which has taken the layer of grime and sweat, and steamed out the worst of the dents. It has a good strong straight grained piece of wood. Not fancy but nice enough. Chokes need to be opened a bit for steel shot - lyevale make a 25gm 2 1/2” steel shot 16 bore cartridge - so future proofed.
apparently they’re still waiting for the call from a big manufacturer… been waiting a while I believe!
