My new English SxS acquisition

[Altitude sickness]

I recently took ownership of this 12 bore with the advise and consent of Rookhawk. I presented him with the several I was looking at and he walked me through the advantages and defects of each option. Spending a lot of time with me.

This is the one I landed on
1927 Charles Hellis & Sons 12 gauge, 28” barrels . Number 2 of a pair. 2 1/2” chambers. 99% engraved sidelock.

 

[Aaron N]

Stunning!

 

[USN]

Sweet! Love everything about it!

 

[Shootist43]

NICE!! IMHO Rookhawk, knows a thing or two about "Old English" side by sides.

 

[rookhawk]

I recently took ownership of this 12 bore with the advise and consent of Rookhawk. I presented him with the several I was looking at and he walked me through the advantages and defects of each option. Spending a lot of time with me.

This is the one I landed on
1927 Charles Hellis & Sons 12 gauge, 28” barrels . Number 2 of a pair. 2 1/2” chambers. 99% engraved sidelock.
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Only Charles Hellis Featherweight I've ever seen or heard of in a sidelock configuration. Congrats on a RARE gun.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Thanks again Rookhawk

 

[VertigoBE]

Congratulations on a fine purchase @Altitude sickness! And congrats also to @rookhawk for finding and helping him.

Now off to go find some tweed to put on!

 

[freefall]

Where does one find 2 1/2" 12 gauge shells?

 

[Fixfire]

Where does one find 2 1/2" 12 gauge shells?

Here.

12 Gauge

12 Gauge

www.rstshells.com

 

[RR 314]

That is greatness. I wonder if most of these singles of a matched pair are out there after being split for kids down the line? Who got the case? Arm wrestling for it? Great acquisition. Enjoy!

 

[steve white]

Anything special or unusual about the lock-up system--for example, a Purdy nose (don't know what wants to make me ask)? Love the engraving.
I would think that hand loading for it could be accomplished with a custom spacer on a Mec reloader--which you can already do with a factory spacer for 2 5/8 shells?
Happy hunting!

 

[rookhawk]

That is greatness. I wonder if most of these singles of a matched pair are out there after being split for kids down the line? Who got the case? Arm wrestling for it? Great acquisition. Enjoy!

Its extremely common to break up pairs and garnishes (Trios) for a couple reasons.

1.) Practically speaking, continental driven shoots are unaffordable for most and thus identical pairs are out of fashion.

2.) A pair of guns sells for about 150% of the value of a single gun. Thus, if you're selling your guns, you will generate more profits by splitting them up than keeping them together.

 

[VertigoBE]

Its extremely common to break up pairs and garnishes (Trios) for a couple reasons.

1.) Practically speaking, continental driven shoots are unaffordable for most and thus identical pairs are out of fashion.

2.) A pair of guns sells for about 150% of the value of a single gun. Thus, if you're selling your guns, you will generate more profits by splitting them up than keeping them together.

I guess that is in part also due to the fact that from a pair, there is usually one that is completely shot out.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My, My. You've got a true keeper ! It's going to be a magnificent upland bird shotgun. Quite the perfect little tool for driven grouse & partridge or flushed quail.

30 gram felt wad based shells will pattern best in this little beauty due to the short forcing cones.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Stunning piece!!

I think we should start a petition on the forum to rename @rookhawk to “the oracle”!

 

[93marlin]

Congratulations on a fine purchase @Altitude sickness! And congrats also to @rookhawk for finding and helping him.

Now off to go find some tweed to put on!

I bought the perfect shooters cap for that beautiful double.
I bought it from @rookhawk

 

[Rare Breed]

I recently took ownership of this 12 bore with the advise and consent of Rookhawk. I presented him with the several I was looking at and he walked me through the advantages and defects of each option. Spending a lot of time with me.

This is the one I landed on
1927 Charles Hellis & Sons 12 gauge, 28” barrels . Number 2 of a pair. 2 1/2” chambers. 99% engraved sidelock.
View attachment 640183View attachment 640185View attachment 640186View attachment 640189View attachment 640190View attachment 640191View attachment 640192View attachment 640193View attachment 640194View attachment 640195View attachment 640196View attachment 640197View attachment 640198View attachment 640199View attachment 640200View attachment 640201

Absolutely beautiful!!! Well done!!!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Congratulations on an excellent purchase.

I took my 2-1/2” Westley Richards 12 bore dove hunting earlier this year. Something to be said about still using them for their intended purpose.

 

[rookhawk]

I bought the perfect shooters cap for that beautiful double.
I bought it from @rookhawk

How did I become the ground-zero nexus of European hunting couture when I'm a 47-ethnicity amerimutt?

 

[rookhawk]

Congratulations on an excellent purchase.

I took my 2-1/2” Westley Richards 12 bore dove hunting earlier this year. Something to be said about still using them for their intended purpose.

@Mtn_Infantry for our friends that have never shot a British 2.5" 12 bore shotgun, we sound like pompous snobs. To anyone that has shot one for a single round of clays, they understand. These British guns, regardless of cost, handle like a feather on the end of a straw, whereas our typical American shotguns handle like a pig on the end of a shovel.

Paying a bit more per box of shells is a low cost of admission to "the club".