Mitchell Bosly & Co. Birmingham England, Engraved Boxlock SxS Side By Side Shotgun, MFD 1954 C&R
SOLD FOR:$2,324.00
LSB#: 171027EM02
Make: Mitchell Bosly & Co. Birmingham England
Model: Boxlock Side by Side
Serial Number: 7829
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 ¾”
Action Type: Boxlock Side by Side with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “MITCHELL BOSLY & CO. LTD” and the left barrel “BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND”. The underside of the barrels is marked with a series of Birmingham proofs to include, “12”, crown over “BV, crown over “BP”, “12/C” in a triangle, “2 ¾” CHOKE” and the crossed swords with Birmingham date code “E” to the left, crown over “NP”, and “NITRO PROOF 1 ¼ oz”. Both barrels are marked “MADE IN ENGLAND” The barrel lug is marked “7829”. The forend wood is marked “7829”. The watertable is marked with two crown over “BV” proofs. There is the serial number as well, “7829”. The recoil pad is marked “Pachmayer”
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: left is Full, right is Modified
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a red bead at the muzzle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are beautifully figured and grain hardwood. The beavertail forend is massive and shaped beautifully with delicate checkering and smooth border around the hardware. There are a few minor compressions to a few of the checkers in the forend, no chips or cracks observed. The buttstock has similar delicate soft checkering at the pistol grip. And like the foend a few minor imperfections. There are some compression to the right side just above the trigger, we have seen similar marks when a gun sits in a safe next to a rifle where the bolt handle rubs and makes contact. There are very light and small cracks starting to develop just behind the upper tang. There are a few other minor marks and scratches in general to the stock. The LOP measures 13.5” and 14.5” from the front of the trigger to the center of the brown rubber Pachmayer recoil pad. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue barrel Case Color receiver and hardware.
Finish Originality: We have our suspicions that the gun has been restored given the installation of an aftermarket recoil pad and purplish color we see on the barrel under a bright light. Please see our pictures.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows little operational use and marks from assembly and disassembly. There is some light thinning at the muzzle. Near the chamber there is some light surface frosting. The barrels, under a bright light, have purple streaks which leads us to believe that the barrels may have been touched up at some point. We are unsure if the red plastic bead is original. The border engraving on the barrels is still vivid, a little soft but still very detailed. The case color is still bright throughout the receiver and the engraving sharp. The “SAFE” has gold inlay. We looked very close at this gun and could find very little wrong with it. If the shotgun was restored at some point it was done so professionally that we are extremely impressed. We could not find any mid 50’s manufactured Mitchell Bosly shotguns to compare this to. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and crisp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: There is little information available on this manufacture so we did our best to clearly describe the gun. We are extremely impressed with the fit and finish of the gun. The engraving and stock are extremely beautiful. The minor cracking at the upper tang doesn’t concern this writer and only mentioned for the most critical buyers not to receive any surprises. Please see the pictures for yourself. We did find some information on this maker in an old post on ShotgunWorld:
“ Mitchell Bosley go back quite a way. … they were in Bath Street, Birmingham 1923-34, then Little Shadwell Street 1935-47. They are listed as stockmakers from 1948 to 1973 at 55 Price Street. From 1976 to 1982 they had premises at 63 Price Street and also at Alness in Scotland. Not sure of these last dates but I recall the Alness premises in the early 1980s where they had a factory set up making gunstocks and also produced a few very well finished bespoke guns. A couple of their rifles were sold under the “Ross-shire Rifles” name, don’t know about shotguns.
Certainly, the Alness facility employed at least one highly skilled and Birmingham apprenticed gunmaker whose work is highly valued in the trade and if the gun is late enough to have his input then it will be a gem.
I think rising costs finally put paid to the firm and I have heard nothing of them since the early 80s’.”
This is definitely a great piece and have to agree a “Gem”
