Henry Atkin worked for James Purdey and proudly stated this fact on his barrels. The barrels on this gun are made from the finest steel of the the period, Sir Joseph Whitworth steel. These are at no surprise the same barrels that Purdey used on their shotguns.

Why are we offering this gun at such a super price? To be up front, it is because it is out of proof as the chambers measure 2 3/4" and the gun is proofed for 2 1/2". Like many Boss's ,Purdey’s, and Hollands that have been here in the states a long time, this guns chambers were lengthened to 2 ¾” so it could use the American shells. Now we have access to 2.5” shells here in America (see www.rstshells.com) but ten years ago and earlier there were virtually none so many high end English guns in America then had their chambers lengthened 1/4".”

One could have this gun returned to the UK and reproofed for 2 3/4." This would significantly increase its value but would cost about 1k and would take six months to a year. We can arrange for this.

One could also just keep the gun as is and shoot it the rest of their life using the RST 2.5" shells and make a significant savings.

Boss guns are considered by many the BEST of the BEST and I can find no reason to dispute this.

*We can arrange to have the small stock extension removed and a BEST leather pad installed for only $300.00.

Note the weight!

I really like the long pigeon gun three piece forend, something one can really grasp onto.

Featuring all the features that made James Woodward famous (Best engraving, arcaded fences, the "Automatic" snap action) this gun is an excellent example of what they could produce and is now after a full restoration, ready for the field.

*Note the "modern" stock dimensions which are great for many. With the 14" of original wood one could add a 1" pad to get up to a 15" LOP. We can arrange for this.

The barrels were sleeved and proofed in England and an excellent job was done. Sleeved sidelocks continue to offer the wing shooter an excellent value. Contrary to some opinion, Sleeved guns do hold their value. The value of the sleeved guns has always followed the market value of their counterpart guns which are in original condition. At 40-50% less cost than an original collector grade gun sleeved guns give the bird hunter an opportunity to hunt with a classic BEST gun at near half the price.

Balanced just slightly forward of the hinge pin this shotgun handles perfectly. The bores are bright and clean with excellent walls and the barrels are tight on face. Own a London BEST for a fraction of the cost than if you were to buy a London first name of which the quality would be none better

Don't let all those positive attributes distract you from the beauty and craftsmanship in this fine sidelock.

Known as "The Gun makers of the West" (Western England of course!) this firm started business in Bristol in 1876 and were still in business in 1964.

If one wanted to restore the gun it could use new blue on the barrels, a few replacement screws, and a new oil finish. The forend wood could use a few minor repairs.

These climax guns have always been admired for their ergonomic rounded actions and nice balance.

In the price range of a British boxlock why not have a sidelock?

Jules Burry was a highly respected Belgium gunmaker. This gun has many high end features such as bushed firing pins, nine pin safety seared sidelocks, and a hinged front trigger. The action is 100 percent scroll engraved and to the highest standard. As the gun is signed, we know the engraver was L. Smeets, a highly regarded engraver in Belgium. He did much of his work for Francotte and Lebeau Courally and generally only on their top end guns.

It does not show in the picture but there is some minor pitting in the metal where the forend pivots on the action. This is purely cosmetic and cannot be seen with the gun assembled. While this takes this gun out of the collector category it certainly does not for the hunter or clay shooter and we have priced the gun accordingly.

*If one would like a lower comb at cheek or heel there is plenty of wood to reshape it lower or the stock could be bent.

*Note the English violin style case. It is marked in the brass "England" and next to that embossed "Feather weight." We usually see Boss small bores in these cases. I really like them. The top of the case is embossed "Mrs. W.E. Carlin." I did a quick search on line and found there was a W.E. Carlin in NY in 1905 that coauthored a book called "Guns, ammunition, and tackle 1904."

This fine little beauty is tight on face and has an excellent trigger pull. As some of you know I am a 16 gauge fan and I have to tell you I do really like this little gun.

Like I said in the header, I sincerely really like this gun. It is just one of those guns you pick up and you don't want to hand it to another or put it down.... ....I believe another name for a gun like this is a "keeper!"

Twenty gauge Boss doubles are like prime real estate. They seldom come up for sale, are priced at the top of the market, and there are never any regrets in owning as they are always worth what you paid and more. A solid investment at $67000.00