Currently considering a W.R Pape BLE I have seen and wanted some help with understanding likely age of gun, if the chap in Hertfordshire still holds the historical records and most importantly how to determine the specific grades of gun.
many thanks
Pete
Help with W.R Pape
Re: Help with W.R Pape
Hi Pete,
what is the serial number and address?
what is the serial number and address?
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Peter Cadman 890
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2022 6:24 pm
Re: Help with W.R Pape
Hi John,
Serial is 12104. The fences have carved acanthus leaf and the engraving is all acanthus scroll with a central floral bouquet with W.R Pape engraved. Barrels state Newcastle upon Tyne and the dates of the field trials wins in London - it had 4 dates listed from memory.
if you mean address of the chap who I read held the records I believe he was in Royston, Hertfordshire.
Re: Help with W.R Pape
The gun dates to 1913. You can try to get hold of the guy in Royston but I doubt if he will be able to give you much more information. I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm but I don't think the gun is of any particular interest. Undoubtedly it will be of good quality and incorporating all Pape's useful patents, I wouldn't mind owning it ! Grades of guns is something we talk about a lot these days but they didn't in those days. Sidelocks tended to be higher quality then boxlocks but not by much. Pape was known as the Purdey of the North