W&C Scott & Son Hammerless Crystal Indicator 12 Ga Block Safety Side by Side, SxS Shotgun, MFD 1885

SOLD FOR: $1,325.00
LSB#: 
190130KK03

Make: W & C Scott & Son

Model: Sidelock Hammerless, Lever Lock Grip, Block Safety, Crystal Cocking Indicators, Primer Gas Check

Serial Number: 37965

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1885 (doublegunshop.com)

Caliber/Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2″ Shells

Action Type: Sidelock Side By Side Hammerless Dual Trigger With Extractor & Crystal Cocking Indicators

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “W & C. SCOTT & SON (LEVER GRIP LOCK) MAKERS & PATENTEES, LONDON.”, the bottom of the right barrel is marked “37965”, the left “8” and both with a series of four British proof marks, “CHOKE”, and “13B NOT FOR BALL / 14M”. The left of the forend lug is marked “F”. The top of the forend iron is marked “37965”. The left of the receiver is marked “W. & C. SCOTT & SON / Patent / BLOCK-SAFETY / Hammerless”. Each sideplate has a viewing window with the plate marked “Patent Crystal Indicator” underneath. Each lug of the water table has a crossed sword proof, the right also has the ovalled tower and flag W. & C. Scott proof, the left lug has a diamond marked “W.&C.S&S / PATENT No 76 / 2006”, “U.S.A. PAT / DEC.3-78”, “U.S.A. PAT. / MAY.6.79” and “37965”. The standing breech face is marked “U.S.A. SEP.19.82 / PAT. GAS CHECK / No. 1816”. The top of the lever is marked “PATENT”. The bottom tang is marked with the ovalled tower and flag W. & C. Scott proof and “37965”. The sideplates have decorative engraving with a goose in flight and there is border engraving on the sideplates, receiver, guard, lever, forend iron and barrels.

Barrel Length: 30”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead at the muzzle on top of the solid rib.

Weight: 6 lb., 14 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, round-bottom half-pistol grip, silver initial plate in the belly, straight comb and serrated horn buttplate. The forend has some scattered light compressions with a few in the checkering. The buttstock has a tiny loss on the front-right at the top corner formed by the receiver and sideplate, otherwise showing only some scattered light compressions, drag lines and handling marks. The checkering is very well defined where not compressed. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ and 12 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. Drop at comb is 1 7/8″, drop at heel is 2 7/8″. The plate has scattered light wear, heaviest around the edgesa and at the heel with well defined serrations, in about Very Good-plus condition. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Damascus barrels and case-color receiver.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is some very light erosion in the chambers with a few patches of very light erosion in the muzzle-ends of the bores, more in the right than the left.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels’ damascus pattern is showing with scattered areas of light finish wear, scattered light scratches and scuffs, and small patches of light surface erosion on each barrel at the chamber and the right approximately 11″ from the muzzle. The receiver has strong case color at the rear, fading to white at the front. The left sideplate has strong case-coloring, the right has some light wear at the rear. The lever has strong finish with some light wear around the screw. The tangs show handling wear. The trigger guard and plate have strong finish, but the trigger guard has some streaks that look like a stubborn residue and a few scattered light marks and scuffs. The initial plate in the belly has some light tarnish with a spot of darker tarnish in the middle. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Exposed screws are properly timed with the slots in-line with the bore axis except for one in the bottom of the barrel lug, visible through the bottom of the receiver. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. The barrels have no play to the receiver. The safety engages automatically when the lever is pushed. We have not fired this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a leather-bound english-strapped hard-sided carry case with brass corner bolsters and latch. The exterior of the lid is stamped “J. NOAKE & SON / WALSALL / 1903”, the interior is lined in blue felt with compartments for the barrel assembly, stock assembly, and three for accessories. The case has scattered light-moderate wear on the exterior with compressions, scratches, scuffs and infrequent small spots which have worn through. The stitching is intact with the exception of where the original handle has torn off (the handle is included) and where the keeper for the right strap has similarly torn off (the original keep is not included). The interior shows light-moderate wear from the contents. Overall, the case is in about Good condition. A leather wallet marked “12G” and “MADE IN ENGLAND” is included with bore mop, brass patch jag, turks head bore brush and a ring-style shell-extractor. These accessories show signs of use but not abuse and the wallet shows scattered light wear with intact stitching, in about Very Good overall condition. A two-piece rosewood cleaning rod is included showing a mustard-colored patina on the brass fixtures with scattered light wear in the wood, in about Very Good overall condition. Reloading tools include a two-piece shell-sizing tool marked “B.G.I. Co. / PAT. AUG.30.92.” and a desk-clamp loading/crimping tool which both show light-moderate use wear, in about Very Good condition. There is also an assorment of pewter and horn-handled accessories from G. & J. W. Hawksley including a 7 dram powder scoop, chamber brush with  pewter cover and oil bottle. The Hawksley accessories show light use and handling wear with some scattered very light discoloration from age and oil, in about Very Good-plus condition.

Our Assessment: This is a W. & C. Scott & Son Block Safety Hammerless sidelock shotgun produced circa 1885. W. & C. Scott, later & Son, even later & Sons, was one of the premier Birmingham gunmakers as well as a prolific patentee which developed many designs which would stay with us to this day. This example incorporates their Lever Lock Grip, Block Safety, Crystal Cocking Indicators and a primer Gas Check on the standing breech face. The shotgun is in about Fine condition with about 35% of its original finish, light wear in the stocks, and bores nicer than they have any right to be after more than 130 years! The gun comes in a nice leather-bound carry case from 1903 and with complete sets of English-made cleaning and reloading kits. This is a wonderful set to find together, with a beautiful, fantastically well-made and innovative gun from a premier London maker, a nearly contemporary carry case and what appear to be period English-made cleaning and reloading tools. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique shotgun can be transferred in California.

Both barrels are choked Improved Modified, fixed.

W&C Scott & Son Hammerless Crystal Indicator 12 Ga Block Safety Side by Side, SxS Shotgun, MFD 1885
W&C Scott & Son Hammerless Crystal Indicator 12 Ga
Block Safety Side by Side, SxS Shotgun, MFD 1885