If you kiss enough frogs....

Brent Francis · 09-07-2012, 09:46 PM

I like buying old rusty doubles to refinish and "fix up" I always look for something cheap and bad enough I wont feel bad if I screw it up. I recently found this wc scott that looked like it fit the profile of one of my projects. The first series of pictures is the internet ad for the gun. (I talked the guy down a little). The gun came a couple of days ago and i opened it up and the first surprise is that while it was advertise as a 12 it was actually a 16 (okay with me) I got out the Hoppes 9 and started rubbing on it an the the more crud that came off the more excited I got. Really nice engraveing alot of case color, barrels are quite good with very little if any pitting, wood is great. The forend a little banged up but all in all its a pretty nice gun. (See the attached after pics) has a grouse on one side and really nice spaniel on the other (my phots dont do it justice the engraveing is top notch.) Anyone know about these old english Scotts?

Brent Francis · 09-07-2012, 11:03 PM

Heres a photo from the top. You can really see how much crud was on it when compared to the before pics. It really needs to be taken apart and cleaned right. Normally Id do it but the screws are so heavily engraved Im going to let a pro do it.

Mills · 09-07-2012, 11:55 PM

Nice find. I bought a Scott off Gunbroker which turned out to be in worse condition than the pictures, so had to send it back. I still want to get one eventually.

Brent Francis · 09-08-2012, 12:16 AM

I never knew much English guns. I have always pretty much collected american doubles. Im kind of blown away by the fit and finish of this old English gun. I guess that WC scott and sons were a low price alternative to the London made guns like Holland and Holland and Purdeys. Ive never really held one of those but its hard to believe they were that much better than this one.

Eldon Goddard · 09-08-2012, 01:58 AM

I like buying the rusty stuff as well. I am looking at am L.C. Smith 0 grade it has some minor stock problems and just needs cleaned for $250. I got my ithaca flues for $150 a little pitting,off face, and the stock was cut but when I get it running it will be a nice gun for the money. It is amazing what is still out there for good prices. That W.C. Scott is a beautiful gun.

Brent Francis · 09-08-2012, 03:22 PM

Yes, Im glad I havent been bitten by the need for a perfect "untouched" unique configuration antique shotgun. Way too many of them are priced by the sellers looking for Great Gatsby to bail them out and they seem to sit on GB and GI for years waiting. I was looking at the "original" 24 inch CHE 20ga for 49,500. "One of a kind", and I think so what. Id like a 20ga CHE but actually 26 inch barrels look better to me and probaly perform better and now that you mention it a DHE 20 looks pretty similar and certainly a restored DHE 20 with 26 inch barrels could be had for alot less than 49,500. Im not saying that Im immune to the collector disease but it does display some pretty strange symptoms in certain people. My theory is that obsesive collector disorder "OCD" is caused by a mutated form of Mad Cow Virus.

MarketHunter · 09-08-2012, 06:59 PM

I've got a dandy pair of Scott guns, both marked Bogardus Club Gun. A 30 inch 10 gauge and a 30 inch 16 gauge. One of these days I'll sneak up on a 12 gauge to match, the 20 gauge will be a bit harder I'm guessing. They did make one, I've seen pictures!

DLH

Kensal Rise · 09-08-2012, 07:51 PM

Brent:
The old Scott you found has great potential. If the work is done right. My advice is to NOT do any part of the work unless you are totally confident in your skills.
An English gun is thoroughbred in a world of draft horses. And the Scott you have is finely made and worth the utmost care in revival.
s
Sorry if I may seem negative... but I've seen too many of these great English guns bodgered by well-intentioned, but inept hobbyists.
If you have any questions about working on it, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Best, Kensal

Mills · 09-08-2012, 09:15 PM

Destry, That is cool. I will be happy if if get a good W C Scott, regardless of its history.

Kensal, It looks like he has done a good job so far. The old adage "stop while you're ahead" may apply

Brent Francis · 09-09-2012, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the advice. Yes early in the process I realized this wasnt my usual basket case ithaca field and I backed away and I am simply admireing it. Barrels look uncut and are a little over 28inches . I dont have a 16guage choke guage so I dont know what it is choked. It has a beautiful checkered buttplate that I suspect is horn. My picture really washs out the reciever color. The metal is quite dark and in the right light is iridescent indigo. The only downside is the length of pull is only 13 1/4. I guess it must have belonged to a short guy with a bowler hat. Now im scanning ebay for a bargain oak and leather case so that it can return to its life as a proper english gent.