A. W. du Bray ordered guns - Personal use or for customers

[John Gardner]

Thanks Dean, John,
After searching some older threads I'll pickup a copy of Knights of the Trigger to see if du Bray had recorded preferences in gun configuration.

The specifics on the DHE 12 I have from 1906 are: 30" Titanic Steel Barrels, 'Special Instructions ' per Parker letter were: 2" pitch, cast off at heel of 1/4" and 3/8" cast off toe, to shoot extra No. 6 shot, safety non automatic, 2 3/4" chambers, RH pull 3 1/2 lbs, LH pull 4 lbs, with requested weight between 7 lbs 6 oz. to 7 lbs 8 oz.

Stock configuration is a straight grip , LOP 13 5/8" Drop at heel 2 ' and Drop at comb 1 3/8"
Also trying to load the Parker Pages story on a du Bray gun but having difficulties.

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by John Gardner

The specifics on the DHE 12 I have from 1906 are: 30" Titanic Steel Barrels, 'Special Instructions ' per Parker letter were: 2" pitch, cast off at heel of 1/4" and 3/8" cast off toe, to shoot extra No. 6 shot, safety non automatic, 2 3/4" chambers, RH pull 3 1/2 lbs, LH pull 4 lbs, with requested weight between 7 lbs 6 oz. to 7 lbs 8 oz.

Stock configuration is a straight grip , LOP 13 5/8" Drop at heel 2 ' and Drop at comb 1 3/8"
Also trying to load the Parker Pages story on a du Bray gun but having difficulties.

John,
I have a DHE 16 gauge that was ordered by du Bray in 1906 that shares many of the same specifications as yours. It has 30" Titanic barrels and has a straight grip stock that letters at 13 1/2" lop, 1 1/2" dac, and 2" dah. The letter also specifies 1/4" cast at heel and 3/8" at the toe with 2 7/8" chambers and a non-auto safety.

This gun was ordered for a gentleman in Richmond Virginia and not a personal gun of du Bray. Perhaps these dimensions were recommended by the salesman or just typical for that period of time.

[John Gardner]

That's a good point Larry it makes sense that a common set of specifications were the general 'go to' dimensions that a salesman would recommend to a shooter based on his/her physical stature. Our Company does the same thing today for general inquiries from clients for their personal diving equipment. Without John D's letter it would have been very hard to assign the DHE to du Bray. Also good sleuthing on Dean's part to see where the gun headed next.

[Ed Blake]

Larry, was your gun shipped to Harris, Flippen Sporting Goods in Richmond by chance?

[Autumn Daze]

John, This is great stuff. What I find interesting is the two Trojans listed with serial numbers in the 158,000 range. According to TPS the first stock book entry for a Trojan grade gun is 159,374. Early release salesmans sample's?

[Double Lab]

John;
In the words of your daughter that is "way cool". Thanks very much for sharing. Your book is wonderful and I feel honored to have a signed copy. Does that make it a collectors item?

[John Davis]

Daryl, when I die it will probably be worth a small fortune. Hoping you'll have to wait a very long time to cash in. John

[Eddie Kay]

My DH was one of 5 "Pigeon" gun's ordered Nov,1904 by the Capt. to go to Louisville,Ky.Mine must have been cancelled as it was sold in the NYC store year's later or used by employees.

[Bill Murphy]

This is the thread with the DuBray inventory of sample guns. Enjoy.

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

Larry, was your gun shipped to Harris, Flippen Sporting Goods in Richmond by chance?

John,
This whole thread is turning out to be "way cool".

Ed,
Not only was it sent to Harris Flippen I just noticed it (#139589) is also listed in John's letter.