According to the Purdey records the original cost of this gun was 105 pounds. It was supplied in a soft Leg-or-Mutton case, made of Mail Canvas, at an additional cost of 1 pound 5 shillings.

I won a lot on the recent Ward's auction for a full box of Western Xpert Super Trap Load(s). The flap specifies:

XT26HR71/2CS
Hercules Red Dot
3 Drams Equiv. - 1 1/4 Oz. - No. 7 1/2 chilled shot

Shells are excellent shape, but not high brass like the ones you pictured, John.

Beautiful gun. Shoot it well.

SRH

Stan's box of shells is near the holy grail for early but not too early trap loads. My absolute holy grail is the Western 3" 1 1/4 ounce #7 1/2 Lubaloy load. I called on a box of those several years ago and they were sold. I have wondered whether they were actually ever there. I have never seen a box of Lubaloy 3" trap loads sold at Ward's. Maybe someone here has seen a box offered.

Stan, the Western Super-Trap loads came in the high brass RECORD hull when they first came out in the late 1920s. With the introduction of non-corrosive priming in the 1931-2 time frame Western began putting up their Super-Trap loads in the FIELD hull. During 1936, Western discontinued the FIELD shell and Xpert became their sole low brass smokeless powder shell.

Thanks, Dave. Was wondering about their vintage. Didn't realize Red Dot was that much of an old timer.

SRH

Stan, I take it the box of Xpert Super-Trap loads you got was Lot #10240.

Attachment 91198

The first time I see the Super-Trap Loads being specified with Hercules Red Dot (HR), Western MiniMax (WM) or DuPont MX (MX) is the December 24, 1936 Western Price List. Your shells with the Super-Seal Crimp would be 1939 or later and with the Seal-Tite wads up to 1946. By the April 1947, 11th Edition of the Western Ammunition Handbook, the Seal-Tite wad was replaced with the Super-Seal Cup Wad. Actually Load No. XT26CS was dropped by the undated 9th Edition of the Western Ammunition Handbook, as loads for ATA Trap Shooting had been limited to 1 1/8 ounce since April 1940.

I would have pegged Stan with item number 10217.

Dave's right. It was lot #10240. The shells inside are in better shape than the box. Perfect.

Thanks for the closer dating information. If I'm following correctly .....1939-1940. Really appreciate it.

SRH

$1904 ?

That would have required me hitting a topwater plug, Bill. I'm a bottom feeder. :rotf: