Old Boggy Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks for all the helpful posts guys, much appreciated. Found another old English sleeved SxS I like as well, listed yesterday, little bit torn now.... http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Powell-William-Son_Shotgun_BLE_For-Sale_141107162944001 The William Powell is newer, the records stating that it was made in 1896 ! Not that it matters much. For my money I would plump for the Greener. I'm not too keen on the checkered panel on the stock. This Is commonly seen on Hellis guns, although they also had engraved steel panels. Normally, I think that the checkering has a margin line where the stock meets the action as the checkering taken right up to the metal somehow does not look quite right. However, this is just my opinion and no doubt Gunman and others on this Forum with greater knowledge than me would be able to advise further. Perhaps this checkering was carried out at a later date to possibly keep up with the fashion at that time. I maybe wrong on this though. Also, I think Gunman or others would be better to advise on the relative quality of the Powell against the Greener. Fortunately, both Greener and Powell are still trading, so further details of either gun could be obtained through them. I always think it good that some research can be done to discover when the gun was made and for who etc. Both guns should be tight on face, without the forend, so that's something to watch for, although the Greener, having a Greener cross bolt is reputed to have a better lock up than the dolls head extension on the Powell. I assume that both guns having been re sleeved have good bright pit free bores. Anyway, best of luck with your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Handle both, I bet the Powell feels nicer but it up to you and how they feel to YOU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I think that you would be pushed to find a 2 1/2" load over 1 1/8oz (32g) anyway. Yes its been proofed to 850 Bar, he said ideally he wouldn't want to use more than a 32g load, although it might take more it wouldn't do the gun any favours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Well been to look at it, I clearly asked before on the phone, "does it have any pitting in the barrels"?, no he said, guess what... pitting in the barrels quite a lot at one end, he said the pitting was fine, was I right to walk away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Yes-if he failed to mention the pitting then I would be annoyed at him for wasting my time-the pitting can be removed but it will cost. Ever considered buying something cheaper (a lot) and restoring it? There's a wealth of expertise on this forum and members such as demonwolf444 can perform magic on tired woodwork-find a local Gunsmith and have a chat-most are up for cash deals and if you budget around £150 for the stock-£150 for a reblue and about £70 for fine boring/pit removal then you can have a very nice English gun that you have saved for under a grand-its also quite satisfying to do as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 was I right to walk away? Abso******lutely! As it was on Gun Trader, we all know now where to avoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Well been to look at it, I clearly asked before on the phone, "does it have any pitting in the barrels"?, no he said, guess what... pitting in the barrels quite a lot at one end, he said the pitting was fine, was I right to walk away? It may have been stated somewhere in the earlier posts, so sorry if I missed it, but was that Greener or the Powell that you went to see ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 The greener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 (edited) Well after an epic day of disappointment and a couple hundred miles I finally found something else.... AYA #2 from Elderkins Spalding, a nice 28" in lovely condition with a 2 year warranty and fitting. A final thank-you for every-one that helped in my thread, an AYA #2 has been my original choice for the last couple of years, I saw the Greener and changed my mind but it wasn't to be, kinda glad I got something all original in the end, she comes up to the eye lovely, feels nice too. Edited July 11, 2015 by born_2_kill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 That is a really lovely looking gun, congratulations on the purchase and I hope it brings a lot of smiles when shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 A better choice if you want to shoot heavier loads and a nice looking gun .Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Good for you. No porkies, honest, the only reason I didn't suggest an AYA is because you seemed so set on the Greener. +1 with Matone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxon T Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I am so jealous! My dream gun! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Nice purchase - definately a better option if your putting heavier loads though one as said above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Well done, a good looking gun. What's the knob/lever on the left of the action? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Lovely gun. Great choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) Well done, a good looking gun. What's the knob/lever on the left of the action? It's for opening the side lock. Thank you all for the kind comments on the AyA Edited July 13, 2015 by born_2_kill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 Having extolled the virtues of owning and shooting English guns, I must admit the the AYA No.2 is the next best thing, being based upon the quintessentially English sidelock. Speaking to a highly respected gunsmith sometime ago, he was Convinced that the No.2 is a far better gun than the current round bodied version. Elderkins have a very good reputation and no doubt gave you good advice and service. All in all an excellent choice which will give many years of trouble free service. Hope that you enjoy it. You can also find out the exact age of the gun, if not known already by contacting ASI of Snape in Suffolk, the original ( and current) importers of AYAs. They are a very good and helpful company to deal with, as has already been stated elsewhere on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 To add to my earlier post,and having looked back at the picture of the AYA, that really is in cracking condition. It shows the confidence that Elderkins have in the gun by giving you a two year guarantee. It would be interesting to know of the age as it appears to have been very well looked after. Consider yourself a lucky guy and the envy of many. You will not regret your choice. Good shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Many thanks for providing the details on who to contact at AyA decoyer, I've just pinged an email off to them just this second. In my opinion Elderkins is top notch, they make you feel welcome, unrushed, and get as many guns out as you want to have a play with. Would recommend to any-one. Love the gun although I had 3 opportunity's to hit a high pigeon on Sunday and missed all 3 I'm sure it was just new gun syndrome, hopefully I'll get better with it soon, and my god does it kick, my should is feeling the effect today, the side lock trigger action fires off like a dream, feels much smoother than a boxlock. Edited July 13, 2015 by born_2_kill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born_2_kill Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 I shot from woodlands last night... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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