Guns International #: 102850870
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Guns International #: 102850870
Category - Jeffery WJ Shotguns
- Shotguns - English Double
W.J. Jeffery 12-bore BLNE
Description: In 1934, Captain C.G.B Greaves of the British Army's Royal Engineers received a new posting within the Empire, the recently-acquired Tanganyika Territory, once German East Africa until it was captured and incorporated by the British during the First World War. As was the custom for an officer of the Empire, Capt. Greaves needed a rugged, robust new set of guns to enjoy the sport that Africa offered in abundance. Based on their reputation for both guns and dangerous-game rifles, the Captain set off for Regent St., off Piccadilly Circus, to the London showroom of W.J. Jeffery for a one-stop shop. Surviving company records show that Capt. Greaves ordered a double rifle in the famous dangerous-game-killer 450/400 NE as well as this shotgun in 12 bore. The double rifle has been lost to the mists of time, probably sold to a fellow officer when the Captain returned to England, since such a weapon would be of no use there, but he dutifully carried his 12-bore homeward, where it was well looked after for the intervening decades. Now this wonderful time-machine of a gun, precisely 90 years later, is on offer again. Although externally plain compared to some of Jefferies' "best-quality" offerings, kindly consider that this is a gun built for a man who could afford a first-class passage to Africa during the Depression(the original steam-ship baggage tag is still present on the lid of the gun case), and built to be relied upon in one of the remoter parts of the world, where there were few gunsmiths. Simply put, it was made to do the business, keeping in mind that Captain Greaves would very likely enounter situations "in extremis" where he would rely on this gun for his life. A simple and rugged boxlock design and without fiddley ejectors, there is no reason why this gun won't go on another 90 years. The barrel walls are thick, the bores are in proof and without pitting, and I have just had the action stripped, cleaned and tightened by Kennebunk, Maine-based English gunsmith Stephen Dalzell (I will supply an invoice for the $500 job to verify). Even with constant future use, there is likely nothing else that will ever need to be done to this gun so long as it is regularly cleaned and lubricated. All that is left is to use it and enjoy. The gun has a very pleasingly-figured stock with strong, straight grain through the hand and refreshed hand-rubbed oil finish, a diamond-shaped stock hand, and a surprising amount of remaing color hardening on the action. Border and banner acanthus scroll engraving. Hacket-style hidden forend fastener, with bone insert at tip of forend. Inert dolls-head third bite. There are various superficial scrapes and scratches to the stock, the largest of which I have pointed out in the photos below, referenced with a steel ruler. But let's be honest, this is a gun made to be used. And it is still meant to be used today, too, and will provide decades of good service. By my reckoning, Captain Greaves has done a service by, what I call, pre-dinging the stock so one doesn't have to worry about it now. It's already been done, so we can just get on with it and enjoy shooting a beautiful shotgun made during the Golden Age of the British gun trade. Who wants a gun that causes acute distress everytime its taken out of the case for fear of a little ding or blemish turning up on the stock? This is a gun with a wonderful history and irreplaceable patina that just begs for the field or forest, and has proven that it is more than up to the challenge of anything put its way. Gun Technical Specifications: DOM: 1934 LOP: 14 5/8" Drop at Comb: 1.5" Drop at Heel: 2.125" Cast Off: 3/16 Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz Barrels: 30" Chokes: Right-Improved Cylinder Left: Full Chamber: 2.5" Shot Charge Regulation: 1 1/8 OZ Bore: 13/1 or 0.719" Wall Thicknesses: Right Tube- 0.034" Left Tube-0.035" Trigger Pulls: Front-4lbs; Rear-4.5lbs Price: $2,850.00 Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102850870
Guns International #: 102850870