Roy Vail Shotgun

[Scott Sorensen]

Does anyone know how I could get some more information on a custom made double 12 made by Roy Vail . It's a beautiful gun that I believe was custom made for a great great uncle in our family as the trigger guard has his initials inlaid in gold. There are no markings on the gun other than : Roy Vail, Warwick NY. A Google search talks mostly about the Vail family history

Thanks,
Scott

[Dean Romig]

Is it 'made' on a Parker shotgun?

[Scott Sorensen]

No, I don't think so.
Scott

[OH Osthaus]

pictures might help

[Bill Murphy]

Roy Vail's double guns were usually built on European guns. The proof marks will tell the tale. Good pictures of the water table and barrel flats will help. Early Gun Digests picture his guns in the engraving section, but don't give much detail about their origin. Vail was largely an engraver, with other related talents. Look him up in the Double Gun Journal index.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

Scott, I own a Winchester Model 21 engraved and, I believe restocked by Roy Vail. His name and Warwick N.Y. are stamped very lightly on the guns watertable. He made guns for some very notable people including General Eisenhower ( prior to his presidency ). He was an excellent gunsmith as well, and was mentioned in a 1950's issue of the American Rifleman under the heading of " Americas leading Gunsmiths ".

[George Lang]

I have one of Roy's 12 gauge shotguns, fully engraved action, highly figured wood, bought it for $35 in early 60's from a pawn shop in Brooklyn NY. If I remember correctly the actions were English and/or Francotte's. He finished & engraved the actions and did the wood. All his rifles and shotguns were full custom orders and Gun Digest in the 50/60's usually had at least one of his guns pictured in their custom gun section My gun was obviously made for a big man as LOP is quite long(to a Roy Vail pad) and grip is very full. After I bought it, it became my go to gun for everything(IC/full chokes) and remained that way until I started getting into those gol danged Foxes and Parkers. The gun hasen't changed in over 50 years but I have and I don't shoot it as well anymore. Great custom for anyones collection and a prime example of the best builder's from years gone by. Enjoy it if you own it, if not BUY it.

[Scott Sorensen]

Thanks much for all the great feedback. My sister actually owns the gun. The next time I visit her I will get some detailed pictures and check the proof marks and post them. I'm also checking the Double Gun Journal to see what information I can find there.
Thanks again,
Scott

[nid-28]

I've owned several Roy Vail guns over the years and have seen several others. They were all built on Belgium barreled actions that reminded me of the guns that Continental Arms of NY used to import. Roy seemed to be a talented all around gunsmith that could do it all. Metal, wood and engraving. My guns, a 20 and a 28 were not quite Francotte quality in my mind, but certainly adequate. A good value in the $2000-$3500 range for embellished small bore guns. I'd guess a 12 ga gun would bring a little less.