London Calling(william Evans)
 

So I wish to express my gratitude to those of you who have been answering my questions both on the forum and in pm's regarding english guns.

I had originally had an interest in possibly adding a 2 inch jeffery to the stable and that led me in a variety of directions, but after researching gun info, talking to others who are far more knowledgeable than I, and emailing with various individuals I put a deposit down with Kirby at Vintage Doubles on what his description refers to and my research supports is a "Best" boxlock.

No it isn't a purdey or an H & H or a Boss or even a Greener which I grew up hearing about whenever the subject of American or English shotguns came up in my family, but it fits my budget and from what Kirby has told me and the pictures I have, it will do nicely for me as my English Gun. Anyway pics are below. It weighs in at 6lbs 3oz, 28 inch barrels, .023 and .021 minimum barrel thickness, built in 1909, it was one of a pair originally I gather and have been told based off the gold #1 on it, it has bushed firing pins and intercepting safety sears, choked at .022 left and .007 right, with 14.5 LOP.

Beautiful gun Bill. I love those lines, and the finish of course.





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A beautiful gun! I'm sure you will find it to your liking.

Sounds like you have done your home work Bill. One thing for sure is that Kirby will not steer you wrong. He is a true class act and someone that I would buy from with 100% confidence which I have. Best of luck with the new addition !

Well done, sir!

You have chosen wisely.

Bill, I love the Evans guns, own a matched pair that are my regular shooting guns. However, I would not recommend a high mileage gun, half of a pair, with a repaired stock and .021 wall thickness to anyone at any price. I agree that Kirby is an upfront guy, but this gun would not be for me. I would have sent this message by PM, but then the other posters would not hear another opinion contrary to theirs. This gun probably has a Webley screw grip action, a wonderful design, but possibly made by Scott, not Evans. To be honest, my excellent sidelock Evans guns may have been made by Scott also, not a detriment to the quality of my guns or yours. Good luck with your purchase.

Bill, I'm sure that Kirby shared the bore diameters with you, but his ads don't seem to include that important information. For your information, my guns, 1911 guns, measure .731, .731, .731, and .733. I can't locate the wall thickness measurements in my files, but I measured all four at the time of purchase, and they were to me very acceptable figures, certainly not .21 or .022. I think that my guns and yours were probably the nominal .729 or close to that, at the time of manufacture.

I have them back home. Running around helping ranchers deal with our Army Worm invasion currently. I will post the bore diameters and the proof marks when I get back home.

Bill, I repeat, good luck with your purchase.

Bill congrats on a nice gun. I'm sure you will enjoy it just as much as a Parker.