Cased JR Gow & Sons 12 Ga Side by Side Shotgun
SOLD FOR: $1,701
Make: J. R. Gow & Sons (Dundee, Scottland)
Model: SxS
Serial Number: 49278
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1955
Caliber: 12 Ga. 2 3/4″ Snap Caps Chamber Easily
Action Type: Side by Side Shotgun, With Ejectors
Markings: the center rib is marked “J.R. Gow & Sons Dundee”. Both chambers , on the underside of the barrels are marked “Nitro Proof 1 1/8 Oz Maximum / 12 / Crown over “V”, Crown over “CP”. “12/C”. The water table is marked with two Crown over V’s. Both sides of the frame are marked “J. R. Gow & Sons”. The frame and rear rib of the barrels are beautifully hand engraved.
Barrel Length: 30″
Sights / Optics: The gun is mounted with a full length rib and a silver bead at the muzzle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered oil finished wood. The stock is a straight English style and the forend is a splinter style. the checkering has worn and the wood has darkened with age. There is a 2″ sliver missing from the top left edge of the forearm. There is a crack at the tip of the forearm, extending rearward about 4″There are no other splits or cracks. The butt is checkered wood. The LOP measures 14″ to the front trigger. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition. DAC: 1 1/2″, DAH: 2 1/4″. There is a very slight cast for a right handed shooter.
Type of Finish: Damascus Barrels, Blue & Color Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mirror bright. There is no pitting or erosion.
Chokes: R: .717″ and L: .698″.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a beautiful Damascus pattern on the barrel, with scattered marking and surface scratching. None of these have dented the barrels. There are a few freckles of frosting, but the metal is very smooth. The case colors have muted and are only vivid in protected areas. The frame metal shows no erosion and only handling wear to the lower tang. The Screw heads are sharp with a tiny bit of wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as designed, though we have not fired this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This gun comes in an old leather luggage case with brass corners, a single brass lock and a broken / missing leather handle. There are two paper cards on the lid, one for James MacNaughton & Sons Gun & Rifle Makers (Edinburgh). The other is an nold business card for “N. R. Warrilow / Chief Photographe Scottish Daily Mail / Edinburgh”. Both show much natural age and N.R. Warrilow was the ancestor of our consignor (also a Warrilow). There are two snap caps, a two piece cleaning rod, 2 bore brushes, a jag, a leather bag for a bore snake, Young’s 303 Solvent and a bottle of Saxonol Rust Preventative”. The felt lining shows natural age and losses at the corners. This is a great vintage ensemble showing natural age and wear.
Our Assessment: We had a bit of trouble dating this shotgun, though there is no doubt to the quality, maker or origin. J. R. Gow is even still in business, selling much of the same items they did to our parents and grandparents. John R. Gows has been trading in field sports equipment and services since 1860. It is one of Scotland’s premier shooting and fishing tackle shops. What a beautiful gun this is, chambered in a round you can still shoot, nitro proofed and beautifully cased.
