C.G. Bonehill Need Age

[Jerry Parise]

Hi Folks,

I recently acquired a C.G. Bonehill sidelock ejector SxS shotgun w/ 30" barrels. The gun is in really great condition. I love the gun and I was trying to find out it's approximate age, but, I am having no luck. The midrib says C.G. Bonehill Birmingham. The serial # is 145480. Can anyone tell me approximately when this gun was made? The barrel flats are stamped with all appropriate Birmingham proof marks. They are proofed for 2 3/4" shells, are stamped for Nitro powder and are proofed for 1 1/4 oz of shot. Perhaps, this information may help in dating this gun. Also, can anyone tell me any history on this maker? Information that I am finding on this maker on the web seems to be rather little. Thank you in advance for any information that you can supply me.

[Big D]

You might want to post your request also over on the Doublegun website. Lots of knowledgeable folks over there.

http://doublegunshop.com/forums

[OH Osthaus]

you may be able to narrow it down with the proof marks

http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf

[Kensal Rise]

Christopher George "C. G." Bonehill was a Birmingham maker who prided himself in introducing machine-made guns to the trade. Well, mostly machine made. There was a bit of hand fitting.

His famous line was that "the last few strokes of the file make the perfect fit. And the last few strokes remain" [with a machine made gun]

His biggest market was the US. And he sold a LOT of guns there. They were considered low to mid quality guns. The McKinley Tariff about killed his US business however. Records for this maker have been lost or destroyed.

About the best you can do is study the proof marks and compare to the dates they were applied.

[Jerry Parise]

Update:

Through research of the proof stamps on the barrel flats of the Bonehill I have been able to determine that the barrels were proofed at the Birmingham proof house in 1931. So, for a lack of any other clues, in my mind I have chosen to believe that my gun was built circa 1931. Thanks to all that have given me information.