eddoakley Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Picked up a gun at the weekend which was on the owner's certificate as Denton and kennel. It's a dt, boxlock ejector. 26" barrels (have to check that bit) On the rib it says Bristol de luxe. No makers mark on the action. Haven't had chance to check proof marks etc but I don't recall ever seeing a Denton and kennel which doesn't have the name on it and I've never seen one marked on the rib like this one- not that I've had a great deal if experience with that maker. Anyone have any thoughts on whether it's just listed incorrectly or of it is what it is supposed to be? Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 I would expect to find Spanish proof marks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoakley Posted July 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 1 minute ago, London Best said: I would expect to find Spanish proof marks. Not had chance to check yet but will try to find time tomorrow. My thoughts are that it's a generic type Spanish gun. I'm sure I've seen "Bristol de luxe" on something before and I've had a couple of D&K and this one just doesn't seem to fit. Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 My failing memory remembers D&K as retailers of cheaper Spanish stuff?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoakley Posted July 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Have a quick google- mostly a bit better than "cheaper Spanish stuff". Sideplates and sidelocks generally pretty good and having a higher value. Boxlocks as with any make not so valued but still more so than the cheap generic Spanish stuff. As I mentioned I've had a few over the years, a sidelock many years ago which was about £1000 at the time springs to mind. This one just looks and feels a little cheaper. Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 I recall they produced a wide range below the AYA price point and competing with Sabel. They were quite attractive and a friend had a side lock Silver Point with two sets of barrels on a Holland and Holland style action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 (edited) Also Somerton Guns of which the sidelocks were mostly Arietta. Some say that D & K stuff looks good but that the metal isn't finished, or as hard wearing and durable, as contemporaneous other British "named as" but actually "best Spanish" made. Edited July 6, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Denton & Kennel used several Spanish makers to supply a range of s/s guns from fairly basic boxlocks to fairly 'fancy' sidelocks. All tended to be very keenly priced, and what you got reflected that. From recollection, they were always cheaper than equivalent AyA models, but didn't meet AyA's levels of quality either. At the time (1980s), the importers advertised them very widely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 9 hours ago, enfieldspares said: Also Somerton Guns of which the sidelocks were mostly Arietta. Some say that D & K stuff looks good but that the metal isn't finished, or as hard wearing and durable, as contemporaneous other British "named as" but actually "best Spanish" made. Hello, more to do with the quality of the steel being used in the gunmakers trade in foreign manufactures,made to a price rather than made to last or better finished, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylye Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 They were made to meet a price point and while they looked like good quality guns the reality was often something different. There were some horror stories circulating at the time about poor quality steel and actions made from meccano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted July 8, 2020 Report Share Posted July 8, 2020 On 06/07/2020 at 21:43, London Best said: My failing memory remembers D&K as retailers of cheaper Spanish stuff?? I rest my case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted July 8, 2020 Report Share Posted July 8, 2020 18 hours ago, Wylye said: They were made to meet a price point and while they looked like good quality guns the reality was often something different. There were some horror stories circulating at the time about poor quality steel and actions made from meccano. Never had one, but the chappie at the gun shop I frequented at the time told me pretty much this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 8, 2020 Report Share Posted July 8, 2020 had a blackpoint delux side lock , I think I paid about £200 many years ago nice gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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