Does anyone remember the old "Black Velvet" whiskey ads? The one with the stunning woman in the black dress? Seeing this gun in the rack brings forth the same response from seeing that ad… …Let me hold you!

I just looked it up in the Dickson book by Dallas and it says it was competed August 13th 1893. The new barrels appear to be by the maker.

Weighing less than some English 2" guns this gun balances extremely well with a very lively feeling between the hands. The case color is near 90%, the wood finish 90%, the barrel black 80%.

This gun has its original case and hang tag which interestingly enough mentions that the gun was tested with American ammunition. Sold to an American? The original case shows considerable wear but the gun also comes with a Huey style oak & leather case with French fitted tools making an extremely attractive package and a seriously sound investment.

I had wondered what was meant by a "BEST" boxlock as in our general trade a best gun is by part of the definition, a sidelock.

This gun has helped me understand what William Evans was talking about when they would advertise “BEST” boxlocks. I dissembled this gun and found inside many features found on London “BEST” sidelocks including bushed firing pins and double safety sears. Further than these features was a high degree of craftsmanship and internal finish and polishing of all internal parts. Examining the interior design and execution of the Evans "BEST" boxlock it became obvious to me they required a very high degree of skilled labor and they would cost considerably more to produce than the average Birmingham boxlock.

This example, built @ 1909, is simply a beautifully executed shotgun and a perfect example of what William Evans referred to as a “London BEST” boxlock. Typically if you can find one of these they rightfully run in a price range considerably more than the Birmingham boxlocks, usually 5-7K. This example we can offer an excellent price as I have knowledge the butt stock wrist was repaired in the past. The repair was professionally done, invisible, and may last for another 100 years but knowing this information I am compelled to list the gun at a price that if a restock was ever needed the owner would not be underwater in the gun.

Stunning engraving, balance, craftsmanship, and wood, this little beauty has much to offer its future owner.

Note the great stock dimensions and barrel condition. Own a Westley Richards.

This is a great back up gun for someone or an entry level English double which will easily get one hooked.

This will make an excellent addition to any collection and or display. I can see it directly next to a Blaser rifle, the beginning and the current state of the art side by side!

This model features the outstanding rising third bite and is built on the respected and radiused trigger plate action. Using coil main springs the internal hammers virtually never fail to fall. As far as I know these guns were never retailed in the USA.

This will make someone in the very near future a very happy upland bird camper!

*Note the excellent dimensions and the perfect weight for a 28" barreled 20.

Astonishing as it may seem, this petite flower comes in its original makers case!

This is the first 24 gauge shotgun I have ever encountered by an English maker. The barrels while stating the standard Birmingham name and address on the left barrel, feature on the right barrel : "Unico Agent, Jaun Canedo Riv Adavia. 611. Buenos Aires." This obviously indicates this gun was built and retailed for the South American market, a very rare thing indeed for an English gun.

I put a couple of box's through this gun on clays and I shot it very well. This is saying something as most of you know I am a lousy shot!

I cannot tell you the gun is pristine, it is not. As you can see in the pictures there are plenty of handling marks and the bluing is thin in places. The right bore has a few marks but they are not deep and the walls are extra thick.

This would make a great little .410 to use exactly as is and not having to worry about keeping it perfect. On the flip side it would be a rewarding process to have the barrels blued and stock refinished to make her look spiffy again.