Guns International #: 102243182

Category - Shotguns - English Double - Shotguns - European Double

Category
Shotguns - English Double
Shotguns - European Double

John Wilkes 20 Bore – LONDON BEST IN ALL WAYS, 5LBS. 5OZ., 1937, vintage firearms inc

Description:
General Specs: John Wilkes, Year 1937, 20 Bore, 5lb 5oz, Chokes IC/M, LOP 14 5/8", DAH 2 1/8", DAC 1 9/16"
Serial Number: 14011

Searching the internet for an upland bird gun of British make will reveal a large range of prices and quality from the myriad makers that provided the English gun trade with guns.  Many are quite plain and affordable, many are well worn and in need of expensive restorations that take well over a year in today’s world.  Then there are a few of THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THE FINEST BOXLOCK EJECTOR GUNS EVER MADE FROM ANY MAKER.  This John Wilkes is of the latter group, a very tiny group of British small bore ejector guns from the famed LONDON MAKER JOHN WILKES, built in 1937 during the period “between the wars” when Wilkes produced his finest guns.  Below is some copy borrowed from the internet that frames this extraordinary upland gun in its proper history:

They (Wilkes brothers) renewed focus on producing for retail sale a significant number of finest quality, guns and rifles made predominantly in London. In this Jack (Wilkes) drew on his contacts with his contemporaries in the trade in both London and Birmingham, many of whom were the finest craftsmen of their day; and some would now say of any day. To mention just some of these, the actioners George Mealey and Roly Bloomer, the barrel filers Harry Wheeler and George Lane, the stockers Dickie Bolter and Ebenezer Hands and the engraver Henry Kell all contributed to Wilkes guns of the period, producing some really top quality sidelocks, but also, more unusually, a number of truly best boxlocks, of a quality and style that have never been bettered by anyone.
 
The John Wilkes 20 bore we show here is absolutely gorgeous, reproofed in Birmingham to 2 ¾” chambers so you can easily find ammunition to shoot in this 5lb. 5oz. wand of a gun, which is balanced perfectly on the hinge pin.  The barrels retain 99% of a London quality re-black, polished to perfection, inscription on the rib sharply recut to perfection, breech end of the barrels “jeweled”, excellent bores and choked IC/M making for the perfect upland gun.  The barrels ring like chimes and are tight as new on hinge and breech face.  Unlike most of the guns you see for sale, this gun has a full length English grip stock of nicely figured European walnut with a checkered butt and very shootable stock dimensions.  The hand-rubbed oil finish and checkering are both superb.  All mechanics are in excellent working order with strong well-timed ejectors, crisp triggers, and a positive auto safety.  The classic and expertly executed English scroll engraving covers 75% of the action and trigger guard and is surrounded by delicate chain borders.  The notable indicators of BRITISH BEST are evident in all ways, including the beaded fences and drop points on the sidepanels of the stock.  You won’t find a better example of a LONDON BEST BOXLOCK FROM ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE GUN MAKERS AND MOST DESIRED TIME PERIOD OF PRODUCTION THAN THIS ULTRALIGHT GUN.  Priced affordably for a BEST GUN, I don’t expect it will last long.  It is one of the few that is a “NO EXCUSES” gun you will find for sale anywhere in the USA.  Cased in an English Brady case that is very clean and valued at $500, this is rare find.  Thanks for looking!

BARRELS
Barrel Length:  26"
Chokes:  IC/M .012/ .020
Bores:  Perfect
Bore Diameter:  .615/ .616
Wall Thickness:  .030/ .031
% Blue:  99% London Black
Chambers:  2 3/4"
Ribs:  Tight
Sights: Front Silver Bead

ACTION
Action:  Tight, on Center
Ejectors or Extractors:  Ejectors- Timed
Receiver Condition:  60% Factory Case Color
Screws: Excellent 
Engraving:  75%, Clean and Crisp
Trigger Type:  Double- Crisp
Trigger Guard Color:  98%

STOCK
Type:  Straight Stock, Splinter Forend
LOP:  14 5/8"
LOP To End Of Wood:  14 5/8"
DAH:  2 1/8"
DAC:  1 9/16"
Cast:  Heel 1/8"off, Toe 1/16"off
Checkering Condition:  Perfect
Butt Treatment:  Checkered

INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on this gun. Call us for full details, or to purchase #616-292-6240. If you have any questions please call or email us. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc

PAYMENT AND SHIPPING
Payment Methods: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax: Collected in AR, IL, KS, MI, PA, TN
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $165.00 within the continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK. We ship internationally with additional fees!
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes

OTHER
PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS.  Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says “see all items from this seller” and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. We have many more sxs shotguns, o/u shotguns, rifles and handguns not yet listed, check back or email us for a preview. We are a Wilson Combat dealer! Thanks for looking!

We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs "tweaked", let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns "as found" and others want them "just so". We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

SOLD

Shotgun Gauge: 20 Gauge