Robertson (Boss) shotgun

[LES7]

Couple questions.
Whats the barrel wall thickness at the muzzle? Chokes? Weight? Drop at comb and heel?

1.5” and 2.25” if pics aren’t clear
Between 6-7lbs I don’t have a scale with ounces

 

[LES7]

TTT

 

[LES7]

Bump

 

[LES7]

Bump

 

[LES7]

Someone needs this for Christmas $3500

 

[Altitude sickness]

Those barrels are perfect . It is a lovely gun. With regard to the 2 sets of proof marks I have noticed a lot of older guns ( and rifles) sold through Holts in the UK have been reproofed - generally in London . I imagine this is to assure buyers that the firearm is safe . It would originally have Birmingham proofs ( likely action and barrels supplied by Scott ) and then finished and sold by Robertson via the Boss London outlet . Boxlock guns made in Birmingham were sold by Boss , H&H and Purdey . They were all good guns and fairly rare .

Do the early British shotguns sold by H&H, Purdey, Boss and other using WC Scott parts loose value. Or have less value. Or were they all made that way.

Why is this a “Robertson” Boss and not just a Robertson. Was it made by an Ex Boss employee?

 

[Altitude sickness]

I should probably rephrase that. I know a boss marked Shotgun is far more expensive. but what makes this robertson worth less than a boss if it’s a boss

 

[Altitude sickness]

I did a quick search. Of course many here already know. But apparently Robertson wanted to produce a more affordable SxS. So used his name instead of Boss

So was this particular gun built by John Harper ? Webley and Scott? Ilsley? Then finished by Boss ?

 

[LES7]

I did a quick search. Of course many here already know. But apparently Robertson wanted to produce a more affordable SxS. So used his name instead of Boss

So was this particular gun built by John Harper ? Webley and Scott? Ilsley? Then finished by Boss ?



View attachment 648106

Thanks for the info! I had also heard that Robertson had bought Boss for a few years…. Or something like that ???

 

[LES7]

TTT

 

[rookhawk]

@LES7

You don’t have the required data to sell your gun. I hate to see you continue reducing the price due to lack of info.

Where do you live?

You need precise weight. Interpretation of the proof marks. Verified serial number. Minimum wall thicknesses and chokes. Verification the chambers weren’t lengthened. Verification the barrels are original. LOP at center, heel, and toe. Drops. Balance point.

Without this info, people will wait until it’s so cheap that they are willing to take a gamble.

 

[LES7]

@LES7

You don’t have the required data to sell your gun. I hate to see you continue reducing the price due to lack of info.

Where do you live?

You need precise weight. Interpretation of the proof marks. Verified serial number. Minimum wall thicknesses and chokes. Verification the chambers weren’t lengthened. Verification the barrels are original. LOP at center, heel, and toe. Drops. Balance point.

Without this info, people will wait until it’s so cheap that they are willing to take a gamble.

ok thanks!
I live in Idaho, are there places to send it off to get this verified info???

 

[rookhawk]

ok thanks!
I live in Idaho, are there places to send it off to get this verified info???

I'm sure there is a highly skilled local vintage shotgun gunsmith. I can do some digging for you or perhaps a member here can cite one. If you were at my house we'd have all your answers in an hour together. You need a bore wall thickness gauge, a full length bore diameter gauge, a chamber feeler gauge, and a bunch of rare books that have the ledgers and serial number info, plus knowledge of how to interpret the proof marks. Oh, and a precise scale. Not worth spending thousands of dollars to get all this stuff.

If you ever get to Western WI, I'd help you out.

The gun is worth somewhere between $10 and $4000. I suspect closer to the latter, but without these facts there's gambling involved for a buyer and you're likely selling this shotgun for a lot less than its worth.

The gun would sell for a higher price if the checkered butt was removed and a 1" orange SW Silvers pad was added, making it a 15" length of pull. The fact you have 14" of wood is a big plus.

 

[rookhawk]

If there is anyone in Idaho that would have the required equipment, it would be these guys. The rest on Google appear to be tactical armorers, not what I would consider to be legitimate gunsmiths in the traditional sense:

Old Arms of Idaho

1 (208) 602-6027 info@oldarmsofidaho.com Instagram We Buy Gun Stuff Got gun stuff? Want cash for it? Give us a call. Preserving America’s Heritage Appraise My Firearms Idaho’s Only Certified Gun Appraiser Home To The 24-Hour Gun Show Welcome to Old Arms of Idaho, where you can find Machine Gun...

oldarmsofidaho.com

You should call or email them asking this key question: Do they have a shotgun wall thickness gauge and bore gauge? If they don't know what that is, run away. They claim to be licensed appraisers and you cannot appraise a shotgun without these tools so I hold out promise.

 

[rookhawk]

The gun was made between 1920 and 1922 based on the possible serial numbers you cited. It's a between the wars gun which is the "golden era". The address on the rib, Dover street, was their address 1908-1930, also jiving with the ledger date for your serial number range.

Robertson didn't want to damage the Boss name by creating affordable boxlocks, yet he didn't want to lose the market for servicemen, son's of nobles, and gamekeeper's guns. He engraved the ribs on his boxlocks with the Boss address, but used his own name "Robertson" on the actions.

These Robertson guns are high quality, certainly higher quality than the boxlocks retailed by Holland & Holland made in the Birmingham trade.

It has been restocked but has the original forend.