IGC - Forum

This could well be a Webley 700 the serial number dating it to about 1970 although I would have thought Holland & Holland of all people would have gone for a 701 or 702 as there was not much difference in the price. In 1958 a 700 cost about £125, a 701 was £130 and a 702 £140. I guess a 1970 700 cos...

Looking at this gun again, the crossed sceptres with BPC mark was, when accompanied by the crossed sceptres V mark, definitive Birmingham proof for the period up to 1904. I am sure the gun was made by William Ansell following an order prompted by C A Ansell in South Africa. 67 is the serial number, ...

Hi David,

That would be a gun started in 1903 but perhaps not finished until 1896.

Wonderful to find this rifle has found a good home and has been restored to working condition. My grandfather, who "made" it, would be very pleased. R B Rodda & Co always used better than average wood, which is probably why they became the largest gun makers in India, but the quality of this replace...

Never seen anything quite like it, and would hesitate to try to date it, so I'm pleased it's already been dated to 1886. However, calling it an "Express" is ridiculous. There is nothing "high velocity" or "low trajectory" about a 24 inch barrelled 12 bore! A pity there is no information about bullet...

Hi Rick,

This is the usual and pretty useless set of marks for 1904 to 1925. You seem to have a serial number - who is the maker and what exactly is the number?

John

I did get your email and applied my not inconsiderable intelligence to it ! One thing is not clear, was he at 26 or 36 Hampton Road. The census certainly said 36 but he may have moved or maybe he lived at 36 and the shop was at 26? I have to pretend to be clever because nobody else thinks so.

Hi Rick, So many men named Alfred Davis ! This was not Alfred Edward Davis ! We have re-investigated and re-written the history as follows: Alfred Davis was born on 16 March 1871 in South Hornsey, north east London. His father was Henry Davis who was reasonably well-off and lived "on his own means"....

You know more than we do !

Stockel lists H J (1845-1858) and M N Colleye (1850-1865 also spelt Coley also seems to have traded as Colleye Fils) are listed as having a patent and being located in Liege, Coleye is not listed. J E Colleye is listed in St Etienne 1781-1814.

Well ! That's a surprise ! Why would he open two shops at the same time - and doubling his overheads?