UK price of this gun,anyone?

[John Gryphon]

Calibre/Item: 12G
Make: Watson Bros
Model: Best Grade
Action: Break- Action
Barrel Length: 30 in
Serial No: 8665
Condition: Excellent
Choke: 1/4, 3/4

Price:

Advertised: 17/02/2023
Comment: Best Grade Watson Bros 12 Bore Sidelock Ejector with 30in, 2 ¾ chambers, London Nitro Proof, In original case with all its accoutrements. It was engraved by Harry Kell and stocked by Ebeneezer Hands as can be seen by his characteristic tear drop on the comb of the stock. This is an original untouched Watson Bros from the 1930’s, over all in great condition with strong traces of case colour and mechanically perfect

 

[Greenmist]

Going off guntrader, upwards of £3500

 

[enfieldspares]

Watson Bros, JG, had a good reputation for "nice" smallbore guns. Mostly 20 bore. They are a London maker that is perhaps less well known than say even Hussey in his many partnerships and iterations. The company still exists, still privately owned and still makes guns. My suggestion would be to give them an email? Hope it helps. And, as ever, stay well.

Home - Watson Bros Gunmakers

Watson Bros are London's finest independent gunmakers with a legacy of bespoke handcrafted guns built in the city since 1885.

www.watsonbrosgunmakers.com

 

[John Gryphon]

Going off guntrader, upwards of £3500

Thank you,I did think the price advertised here @

£8000 plus was excessive.

 

[enfieldspares]

Ah, yes, but, Hands and Kell make it desirable to collectors. Very desirable to the right person as you've two well know names in the one gun. Kell and Sumner were the two "first division" engravers of their era and you've, here, a Kell gun with the bonus of being stocked by Ebenezer Hands. The problem of course is matching the gun to those that desire it! To everyone else it's a 1930's gun lacking any easy or self-opening or single trigger feature competing in a UK where lead may be banned with Purdey, Boss and Holland 1922 self opener patent guns of that same interwar period. The 2 3/4" chambers, IMHO, don't know give it any advantage in 2023. Plus if original stock it will probably be too short for the taller sportsman of today.

 

[John Gryphon]

Plus if original stock it will probably be too short for the taller sportsman of today.

Thank you Richard...I wish I had my plastic auto Beretta still.

 

[enfieldspares]

JG give these an email if want? They probably have knowledge of clients who'd value those two names in the one gun.

The Engraving of Harry Kell / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

Henry Albert Kell, known as Harry, was born in 1880 or 81. His grandfather was a coppersmith and his father, Henry John Kell, was an engra

www.westleyrichards.com

Bonhams : THE SKETCH-AND PATTERN-BOOKS OF HARRY KELL 1881-1958

Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars

www.bonhams.com