Guns International #: 102765031

Category - Hammer Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double

Category
Hammer Shotguns
Shotguns - English Double

J&W Tolley 10-Gauge Waterfowler, High Condition, Mfg. in the UK circa 1866-1870

Description:
Established in 1859, the Birmingham and London firm of J & W Tolley was best known for building top-end large bore shotguns and rifles.  This side-lever 10-gauge waterfowler, which was manufactured circa 1866-1870, has nicely figured English-walnut stock, beautiful London-brown Damascus-steel barrels, and about 85-percent coverage of original case colors.  The side-lock actions are finely machined.  The hammers, which are not rebounding, have a half-cock position.  The 27-inch barrels have 2-7/8” chambers. Neither barrel is choked.  The bore diameters are .760.  Both bores have light pitting.  The wall thicknesses of the right barrel at nine-inches from the muzzle are (top/side/bottom) .056/.059/.054, and at the middle of the barrel are .070/.072/.080.  The wall thicknesses of the left barrel are .055/.055/.058 and .070/.072/.070, respectively.  The stock has neutral cast.  The DAC is 1-3/4 inches, the DAH is 3 inches, and the LOP is 13-1/2 inches. The gun weighs 9 pounds 6 ounces.  Both triggers pull at 5 pounds.  The gun locks up tightly.  All serial numbers, 3001, match. 

This classic double performs exceptionally well in the field.  It is featured in an article in the May 2023 issue of the Vintage Gun Journal (://vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/field-tests-on-geese) that reports the results of a two-year study of the effectiveness of mid-19th-Century waterfowlers hunting early-21st-Century Canada geese.  The gun is perfectly balanced, comes to the shoulder smoothly, and points well.  Its short barrel are advantageous when rising from a pit blind to engage a flock of geese.  So too are the half-cock positions of the hammers. 

The price does not include shipping costs paid by buyer.  The inspection period is 7 days from receipt.  This shotgun has been fired using shells manufactured by RST Corporation designed for use in Damascus-barreled shotguns.  However, as for any vintage shotgun, it is recommended that the new owner have it inspected by his or her own gunsmith before firing, and then only use shells that produce pressures for which the gun was designed. 
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes