jgguinness Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) Evening all I've just purchased a Wanless 12 gauge SBS, ejector (by sellers description) and it's on its way to my RFD as we speak. Can't wait. It's serial number is 1203, so pretty low. Text on the rib reads, as far as I have been told, W.M Wanless makers of Sunderland and South Shields. From the pics sent by the seller it is a bit of a project, not totally knackered, but I would like to make it mint. My father bought a Wanless BLNE SBS earlier this year, text on the rib reads Wanless of Stockton on Tees. His is a much higher serial number, 71??? Bought them as Wanless was a very local gunmaker to us, and it's nice to have some local history. I know they were based here around 1900, moved to Stockton I think around 1918. Does anyone have any further information please? Anything would be great. Kind regards Jonathan Edited July 2, 2014 by jgguinness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Vector Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Post 1913 according to Brown, vol. 3. Interestingly your serial number is the earliest one listed in the book (but not the earliest Wanless gun). Nothing beyond 51xx is listed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the HV. I hope the serial number is correct. It was listed as that in the advert, and was told the same over the phone. I will post some pics up of what I was sent. Nothing special really, stock needs work and will get the barrels reblackened and hopefully it will make a tidy local piece. From the land I shoot you could probably see where it was made, and last year the farmer found a cartridge base that is/was an old Wanless cartridge. Edited July 2, 2014 by jgguinness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Found this as an extract on another forum, so maybe it's pre 1909. According to Boothroyd's: "Wanless & Co., Sunderland 20 Norfolk St., Sunderland, in business 1908. 96 High St. Stockton-on-Tees 1897=1900 William Wanless, 22 Thomas St., Sunderland. In 1901 moved to 20 Norfolk St. 1903, Wanless Bros. William & Thomas 1909 WW moved house to Stockton 1929 Wanless Bros. had shop at High St. Stockton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leec12 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Hi folks, I was lucky enough to pick up a Wanless bros 12 bore sidelock from the recent online auction at Holt's. Circa 1915, 30" nitro proof barrels in what appears to be amazing condition for a gun that is 108 years old. Barrel blacking is still very good and timber is in reasonable condition although a bit short for me. Apparently I was the only one to place a bid at a price I'm too embarrassed to say. Obviously I'm over the moon and can't wait to frighten some clays. Warm regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 The Wanless Bros where a well known gun maker business of the North-East 1897 William at 22 Thomas Street Sunderland 1901/02 Wanless Bros 12 Norfolk Street Sunderland 1902-to 1910 20 Norfolk Street Sunderland 1902 Russel Street South Shields 1906 66 ocean parade South Shields 1905-10 Wanless Bros Priest gate Darlington 1910-21 12 Waterloo Place South Shields 1910 7 Bridge Street Stockton On Tees 1934 22 Vine Place South Shields 1933-34 12 Church Street West Hartlepool They had several shop going at the same time they not only made guns but also retailed Birmingham and Belgian made guns known has farmers and also keeper guns to well made hammerless side lock guns . A mention must also be made to their made brands of cartridges that they were also well known Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 Gordon Bennett....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 25, 2023 Report Share Posted December 25, 2023 On 22/12/2023 at 16:54, TIGHTCHOKE said: Gordon Bennett....................... I think he just swept the workshop floor ! 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Came across this advert today Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 what did Wanless consider was a Rook & Rabbit rifle.....the usual or some sort of obselite calibre ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 (edited) 5 minutes ago, ditchman said: what did Wanless consider was a Rook & Rabbit rifle.....the usual or some sort of obselite calibre ? The first rook and rabbit rifles fired .295" calibre bullets, subsequently a number of cartridges were developed for this purpose ranging in calibre from .22" to .38" Edited January 12 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 1 minute ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: The first rook and rabbit rifles fired .295" calibre bullets, subsequently a number of cartridges were developed for this purpose ranging in calibre from .22" to .38" aahhh .....interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 6 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: The first rook and rabbit rifles fired .295" calibre bullets, subsequently a number of cartridges were developed for this purpose ranging in calibre from .22" to .38" Years ago I remember going with a keeper to shoot rooks in a big wood with a .22 rim fire, we must have used about 100 bullets and never even give any thought of where the bullets were ending up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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