15048 was ordered as one of a pair (the other was 15947) in Dec 9, 1913. It was ordered for a L.F. Davidoff, Esq. in Russia. The dealer was Mr. J. Larderet. The gun was finished Dec 1914, but that was in the middle of WW1, so it wasn’t shipped. It was ultimately sold in 1930. It was chambered and regulated for the new cartridge the 38x2 (38 grains of cordite with 2 grains of black powder) and a new compound 600 grain bullet. It was described as the “New Nitro” for internal H&H use or the Nitro Express” for advertising. The velocity of the 600 grain bullet was 1250 to 1300 fps.

15948 is a desirable gun, being only one of 12 made for the 38x2 cartridge and appears in excellent condition.

*The bores do show some very light pitting which could possibly be removed with a 2-3 thou back bore polish. Appears as a haze. Not bad at all but I like to tell everything I see.

*Comes in its lovely makers oak and Leather case.

*Completed in 1899.

*If you have always wanted a good solid Purdey for a very nice price this is your gun.

* Purdey records tell us: No. 18125 Completed: 28th July 1904 For: A. de Goldschmidt Description: A pair of hammerless ejector game guns Weight: 6lb. 10oz. Calibre: 12-bore Barrels: 30in. Whitworth Steel Choke: Cyl & Mod Stock: 14½in. Notes: Ovals engraved ‘A de G’ Later passed to G. Aykaryd February 1971: Chambers deepened to 2¾in. on No. 1 gun, No. 2 with fitters-in, choked I.C. & Choke. Both stocks lengthened in wood and with leather-covered Silver’s recoil-pad on account of A.M. Laughlin

The barrels were reduced to 26" in the Purdey shop and choked perfectly to put more birds in your game bag. Light and well balanced this one you will never let go of once you get your hands on it.

Completed in 1901.

No cast means this gun could be shot well by a right- and left-handed shooter.

*The bores are beautiful and the gun locks up like a vault! A super value for a famous Westley drop lock.

*In their original oak and leather case this pair still have over 40% original case color remaining. The bluing on the barrels well over 95% and the wood finish very nice. I have to say this pair is in wonderful condition. Did I say that?

*Note the sensible choking that will put birds in the bag!

*Price is for the matched Pair!

*To see the number 1 gun put in our search box at the top of the page 6112 and hit GO.

*We can tell from proof marks the gun was sleeved and reproofed for 2 3/4" in 1968. Having sleeved barrels has given this gun a new life and allows us to sell for half the price of an original barreled gun. A super value for the hunter who wants to use a fine English double in the field.

Wonderful 30" barrels with choking good for most hunting. It's a super value for anyone who's always wanted a Holland and Holland and we can't wait for someone to get this in their hands!

*BONUS: Comes in its vintage maker's case.

*Only $3200.00 each! And no, there is nothing wrong with them. They good solid Hollands and are field ready.

*To see the other gun go to our gun ID of 6156 .

*Note the rolled trigger guard and the locks featuring cocking indicators. This gun obviously has not seen a lot of use in its life and is a super value for a true between the wars London sidelock.

*We also have some wonderful Atkin labeled vintage cases for sale that would complement this gun nicely.

* I shoot a Woodward with this same grip and much prefer it over most straight grips.

*Note that this is a 2 3/4" proofed gun

Normally this gun would be in the 6-8K range but due to some very minor surface pitting in places on the action (see the pictures, super minor) we can offer this beauty for only 4600.00. A super London high grade sidelock at almost a boxlock price. For the hunter that wants a high-quality gun that he or she is not afraid to take in the field this is a super opportunity. The gun is super tight and field ready.

After seeing my write up on this gun received this email from our famous hunting/naturalist gun writer friend concerning this gun:

"Wow Kirby, What a beautiful gun. I love Lang guns. You forgot to mention in the write up that it is stocked to the fences and has absolutely perfect chokes for a game gun. Cheers, George"

*At the recent Great Northern SxS event in WI, Travis, our gun photographer used this gun in the main event. He fired 375 rounds through the gun with out even the slightest hiccup. He said the gun felt deceptively light for its weight due to its exceptional balance and shot extremely well.

*Dates to 1895 and is still tight as a drum with great bores!

*This gun features chopperlump barrels that lock up tight to the breech. This will make someone a great upland gun.

Gun #1 has a hair scratch to the finish on the right sidelock. You have to really look for it. Gun#2 a mark to the barrel bluing on the underside. Other than that, they are not far off factory condition.

*Compared to what new ones would cost we are looking at less than half price for these excellent guns!

*Buy one or the pair for $3800.00 each.

*If the butt plate was removed and a 1" pad added one could reach a LOP of near 15."

*This gun was proofed in both barrels at 12 which means it is in proof between .730 and .740. It currently measures .730 right and .731 left which tells us something we seldom see. This gun incredibly is still at the original bore diameter from when the gun was proofed 120 years ago. It has never seen a polishing. This is a great thing!

*The locks of this gun are of BEST design featuring safety sears. The firing pins are bushed also. This is something you generally only see in the high-grade guns.

*If this gun had pristine bores, we would be asking over 6K for it. If you don't mind seeing a little pitting, you can have a London BEST at a great price.

*Charles Smith and Sons were in business in Newark, Notts England from 1879 to 1957. A little known but obviously well established shop to be in business near 80 years.

This gun is tight on face and field ready. A great value in an English sidelock with good stock dimensions and super wall thickness.

This gun being near 100 years old and still retain over 50% original case color is remarkable. It handles well and is tight on face with excellent bores. The bores are bright and shine. There is a small amount of rust pitting from the result of poor storage just behind the muzzle of the left barrel. See picture. It is not of huge consequence and not at all a safety issue but have lowered the price to compensate. Overall, this gun is in great condition, obviously not having seen much use afield.

*Company records show this fine gun dates from 1934, made by Webley & Scott, sold to a Colonel Firth.

*The chokes are perfect for upland bird hunting! *Note the excellent choking for upland birds which I will guarantee will put more birds in your bag!

Great dimensions and LOP could be made up to near 14 7/8" or less if a pad were added.

This is a very nice example of an English sidelock. It is well balanced and feels great between the hands as any well made gun should.

I did not know much of this maker so I did some sleuthing on internet and actually found quite a lot:

Built between 1901 and 1905 by address's on rib William Atkinson was the son of Joseph Atkinson of Lancaster. He was born in 1851. By 1871 William had joined his father in the business in Lancaster, but in about 1874 he opened his own business at 52 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Westmoreland; in about 1878 this moved to 8 All Hallows Lane. There may have been a branch of the firm in Preston. In 1874 William and his wife (Eleanor b. 1850) had a son, Joseph Harvey Atkinson, and in 1876 another, Arthur Falder Atkinson (both born in Kendal), they both worked in the business as gunmaker's assistants, there were also had two daughters born in Kendal, Edith (b.1873) and Maud (b.1878) who appear to have worked in the business. In 1881 Joseph Atkinson retired and William took over the business in Lancaster re-naming it William Atkinson. In about 1885 the firm moved to 20 Market Street, between 1890 and 1901 they took over the adjoining premises at 18 Market Street. Between 1890 and 1894 the business in Kendal moved to 58 Highgate. Joseph Atkinson died in the late 1890s, and in 1900 the firm Lancaster business was re-named William Atkinson & Sons. By this time the firm had a substantial trade in bicycles. In about 1901 a branch was opened at 11 Skipton Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. This was probably run by one of the sons, it appears to have closed in about 1905. Between 1901 and 1905 the Kendal business became known as Atkinson & Griffin, it appears to have ceased trading in 1925. Between about 1905 and 1909 the firm in Lancaster occupied premises in North Road. In about 1935 the firm moved to 26 Market Street, Lancaster, but the Lancaster business appears to have closed in 1940. In 1955 Thomas Atkinson & Sons was recorded at 19a Stricklandgate, Kendal. Thomas Atkinson was certainly related, perhaps only distantly. The firm appears to have closed in about 1985.

*Tight and field ready but with a new oil finish and barrel black this gun would be a showstopper. An easy and fun restoration.

*Manual Safe

*Great dimensions for many *No cast so good for right or left-handed

*The gun at one time had a leather covered cheek piece. This would be filled in with wood and died to match or even a pad put back like it was originally.