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Peter Chapman London Best SLE - 28ga - Rare Bespoke “Best” - Straight Grip Double Trigger - Checkered Butt - Splinter Forend Guns International #: 102203418 Seller's Inventory #: Peter Chapman London Best SLE - 28ga Category: Shotguns - English Double - Shotguns - 28 Gauge Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Quillen Worfe Company: C-W Fine Gun Marketing Page Member Since: 4/8/14 First Name: Kevin M. Last Name: Worfe, Sr. State: Texas Zip: 78006 Country: United States Phone: (210) 837-1005 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 23 Total Number of Listings: 2456 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Shipping ranges from $35-$500 Payment Types Accepted: Personal Checks (item held until check clears) and cashiers checks About Us: Effective April 2024 — this page is a marketing page for FFL located in Boerne Texas. I am their Marketing Manager - all guns are owned by FFL or they are customer consignments. Description: Peter Chapman London Best SLE - 28ga - Casbard Engraved - Rare Bespoke Best - Self Opener - Straight Grip Double Trigger - Checkered Butt - Splinter Forend - Magnificent Maker's Case with tools & accessories - one of the classiest field setups for the upland hunter. It is estimated that there were only 160 guns built by Peter Chapman - this one is built on a "Rogers/Holland" action. It is indeed, a Holland & Holland Replica.  Eulogy for Peter Chapman as printed in Double Gun Journal: Peter Chapman, gunmaker, was born in Tottenham, North London to Christopher and Eleanor Chapman. Peter’s father was a carpenter and joiner, his mother a housewife. In 1939 Peter was evacuated to the Essex/Suffolk border in avoidance of the London air raid bombings and stayed in the area until the war ended. After graduating high school he intended to enter into the stained glass trade but an odd fate intervened. Peter told me his father was a lodge mate in a fraternal order with Harry Lawrence, a director of James Purdey & Sons  and soon to be the managing director. Chris Chapman mentioned something to Mr. Lawrence about his son going into the stained glass trade but said the boy was really mad about guns. Mr. Lawrence suggested bringing the lad around, he was presented to Chris Gadsby, the factory manager and in 1952 Peter found himself apprenticed as a Purdey finisher with Gadsby   as his gaffer. In 1971 I met Peter through Geoffrey Casbard, a Kell trained engraver, a then employee of James Purdey & Sons and a long time friend of Peter’s. After 25 years with “The Firm” as Peter called it, Peter and I partnered with the intent of making best guns to between the wars standards. We purchased a property in the village of Little Yeldham in East Anglia near where he stayed as a child during the war, installed a workshop there and so began a long and interesting venture. Many trips back and forth ensued. I would go to England three or four times a year and Peter would come to America on a regular basis. My job seemed to be to sell guns to Americans. Peter’s job while here was to charm those potential customers and he was very very good at it. In the process he met and usually charmed an amazing number of interesting people. He was invited to The Court Of Saint James Embassy in London by Bill Saxby, former Attorney General Of The United States and, at that time, the American Ambassador to India. While at the embassy Saxby introduced him to Anne Armstrong, a member of the King Ranch family and the American Ambassador to The Court Of Saint James. Later Peter became close to other members of the King Ranch family. He made a number of guns for Bobby Shelton, Captain King’s great grandson. Shelton and Peter became close friends and Bobby introduced him to a number of interesting people including Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. Bobby also owned the Flying D Ranch in Montana and Peter spent time there hunting mule deer and elk and watching cowboys. Real cowboys... Peter’s love for the American West was endless. He also shot ruffed grouse and woodcock in Minnesota, sharp tails in both Dakotas and bobwhites in South Texas. Lots of bobwhites in South Texas... Peter told me about 160 guns were completed, most on Beesley/Purdey actions, a few on H&H or Rogers actions, a few best quality boxlocks and two or three under/overs on Woodward/Purdey actions. Chapman guns are scattered across America, many of them in collections owned by some of the most knowledgeable shooters and collectors in the country. All were sold by word of mouth or referral with no advertising of any kind. Peter Chapman was a very complex and, at times,  a very trying individual but a workman of the first water. On many occasions I watched him make and fit things and even after seeing it done I still couldn’t understand how he did such wonderful work with the simplest of tools. He was one of the first, if not the very first of the recent London Gunmakers to strike out on his own and also one of the last to be trained in the pre cad/cam machine era. Unfortunately all of the records appear to have gone missing. A few years ago he was diagnosed with the  vascular dementia which ended his life. He remained in his home until quite recently but the records and equipment disappeared from the house during his decline. Hopefully they will reappear. I make little claim to the veracity of most of this but it is a true account of my observations and what was relayed to me over the years by Peter. Wherever you might be, Mr. Chapman, it’s been quite a ride and I’m glad you came my way. Written by David Brown, Longtime Friend of Peter Chapman  **scroll down for specs** Quillen & Worfe Fine Guns Disclosures and Important Information: Please enjoy this experience, it is supposed to be Fun and Exciting! If you’re Excited about your purchase – I promise, the Fun will follow.   I will do my best to help you acquire these listings in a manner that suits your lifestyle.   Quillen-Worfe Fine Guns is a screen name derived of the two most important family names. This page began as a means to sell my own collection in 2017 – it developed into a passion.  I love God, Family, Friends, Dogs, Fine Shotguns and the USA! You’re encouraged to make reasonable offers on my listings.  Many of the offerings on this page belong me personally – some are consigned and a few belong to friends and high end dealers that I assist to market their guns online.  Guns listed on this page are located at my FFL’s office for your convenience.  If you’re a local buyer and the gun you buy belongs to a dealer, there will be tax due if you live the the state of Texas. No exceptions.  Call me between 10 AM and 8 PM Central Standard Time – I’m easy to talk to.  TRADES:  they’re hard!  You must be reasonable. I do about 10% of the trades proposed – cash is king!  Hard truth! LAYAWAY: available on MOST guns, please inquire about my terms if you have a need – glad to do it when I can.  Typically 33% down, 33% in 30 days and then 33% plus shipping on the following 30 days. Once you start a layaway, you must finalize it or forfeit the initial payments. ALL OF MY TRANSACTIONS ARE DONE THROUGH MY FFL with whom I have a very solid relationship.  If you buy a guns from me, you’ll pay them (this may vary from time to time), they will ship to your FFL of choice and all dealings will be with them post receipt of funds.  They are a high end boutique gun dealer in the Texas Hill Country and can accommodate the entire transaction.   If you live in Texas and want to drive to see one of my guns, reach out to me to discuss making an appointment with my FFL – I do not show guns at my home nor do I meet guys at public locations for viewings or sales.  ALL GUNS ARE LEGALLY TRANSFERRED through my FFL – there are NO EXCEPTIONS.   PAYMENT: DO NOT USE USPS… pay the extras $12 to send your payment UPS GROUND and the transaction will be faster and your check will not be lost as happens often with our USPS system. Certified funds are preferred – if you send a personal check for payment the FFL ships one week after receipt. Certified funds payments – shipments are done next business day.  NO CREDIT CARD payments are accepted.  I encourage you to shoot the guns you buy from  these listings – so during your 3 day inspection – shoot the gun.  Make sure it is operating in the manner you expected.  If you are not happy – return the gun for a full refund except shipping costs.  SOLD Shotgun Gauge: 28 Gauge Manufacturer: Peter Chapman of London Model: BEST SLE Serial Number: 0019 Barrel Length: 27” Condition: 99% Stock Comb: 1 3/8” Stock Heel: 2 3/16” Stock Cast: Off - for right hand Fore End: Splinter LOP: 14 9/16” Rib: Game rib Finish: Hand rubbed oil Weight: 5 lbs 5 ozs Chokes: 006/008 Sk/IMK Engraving: English Scroll