Lindner Charles Daly Superior Grade 30″ IM/FULL 12 GA SXS Double Gun, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB250718LT070
Make: Heinrich A. Lindner for Charles Daly, restored by Bailons Gunmakers Limited
Model: Superior Grade Boxlock Hammerless Double
Serial Number: 872
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1900, re-proofed 1984
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2″
Action Type: Boxlock Side by Side (SxS) with Dual Triggers, Extractor, and Cocking Indicators
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Our gauge measures Left: Improved Modified, Right: Full, both Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib has wavy serrations for glare reduction.
Weight: 6 lb., 15.4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut. The splinter forend has a horn tip. The buttstock has teardrop cheeks, a Prince of Wales semi-pistol grip, straight comb and serrated horn buttplate. The belly has an inlaid initial plate, the initials are worn, but “1900” across the bottom is quite clear. There is a tiny crack at the rear of the top tang and a tiny loss along the left edge of the top tang. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/4″, drop at heel 2 3/4″. The buttplate’s grain is beginning to show at the heel, otherwise showing minor wear with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as restored.
Type of Finish: Browned Damascus & Color Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Restored by Bailons Gunmakers Limited of Birmingham
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The browned finish on the barrel is lightly thinning in some areas. There are a few scattered minor marks. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. 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: Included with the shotgun is extensive correspondence between Bailons Gunmakers and Fred Decker of Fred’s Gun Shop in Mattoon, Illinois. The correspondence begins with a letter from Bailons dated 19th May 1984 noting that the gun showed up with no prior warning of its impending arrival. Letters include notification that the gun had passed proof, Christmas and New Years happy wishes, discussion of the change in exchange rate (to the benefit of Decker), an invoice detailing all work performed, issues related to tax and export, as well as a fun story about a missing label from a case which was restored at the same time (no case included). Finally, an article from the June, 1982 edition of Shooting Industry is included which is about Bailons Gunmakers interviewing their Co-Director, Sir Malcolm Guthrie who participated in most of the included correspondence.
Our Assessment: This is a Charles Daly marked shotgun made in Germany by Heinrich Lindner. These Lindner Dalys, as they have become known to collectors, have become quite desirable for their quality, and its easy to see why! This example is a Superior grade chambered for 12 gauge shotgun shells. This would already make a great piece for a fine European firearms or double gun collection. What stands out on this example is the wealth of correspondence included between Bailons Gunmakers in Birmingham, England and a Fred Decker who owned a gun shop in Mattoon, Illinois. The gun was sent to Bailons in 1984 where it underwent exetensive restoration as well as being nitro proofed. The quality of their work is easy to see and feel, and the gun does not appear to have seen much use since coming back to the United States. This is truly a beautiful firearm made to last that has been expertly brought back to exquisite condition. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
