The Accurate Reloading Forums
J&L Wilkins of Birmingham
05 April 2005, 03:06
HarryJ&L Wilkins of Birmingham
Need any info on J& L Wilkins of Birmingham.
They make beautiful rifles and shotguns.
Thanks,
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
05 April 2005, 10:41
new_guythere's not much out there - it's a "moonlighting business" of gunbuilders in the birmingham area. It's an old-sounding name for a new gun "maker."
The best bet is to get with whomever has a gun... I assume you're looking at one?
Dave More has handled a few
www.williamlarkinmoore.com(Dave knows the story)
as has George Caswell
www.champlinarms.comThey can give you the details on the story of the guns/maker's name/business model.
05 April 2005, 20:37
HarryNew Guy...thanks...I bought a 22 LR double rifle with extra 410 bbls. in the makers case.
Nice. Just trying to learn more.
Thanks for the help.
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
05 April 2005, 21:26
AtkinsonThat is cool....I have played with a double in 22 LR and truly lusted for it...but with extra .410 barrels, damn that ought to be illegal!! Please send me a picture.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
06 April 2005, 06:35
HarryWell it is not Birmingham but Oxford where they are but I am having trouble finding anything else.
At the time I bought this there was also a beautiful 404 bolt gun and a large bore double.
Photo sent Ray...if I knew how to post I would put it on here.
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
06 April 2005, 07:06
Charles_Helmquote:
Originally posted by Harry:
Photo sent Ray...if I knew how to post I would put it on here.
If you email pictures to me I'll be glad to post them for you.
06 April 2005, 09:29
Charles_HelmPosting for Harry/Mims:
06 April 2005, 09:44
HarryThanks Charles!
Hey 459 NE, Rusty, Mac...all you double shooters...can I come out and play with you now?
I think I will go on safari for the Little Five...Rabbit, Coon, Squirrel, Prairie Dog and Woodchuck. I may need a Bwana back up!

You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
quote:
Originally posted by Harry:
Thanks Charles!
Hey 459 NE, Rusty, Mac...all you double shooters...can I come out and play with you now?
I think I will go on safari for the Little Five...Rabbit, Coon, Squirrel, Prairie Dog and Woodchuck. I may need a Bwana back up!
Very cool!

06 April 2005, 14:05
new_guyquote:
Originally posted by Harry:
Well it is not Birmingham but Oxford where they are but I am having trouble finding anything else.
At the time I bought this there was also a beautiful 404 bolt gun and a large bore double.
Photo sent Ray...if I knew how to post I would put it on here.
Harry, you've probably dug deeper than i did and are probably have more accurate information on the location. I almost bought a "Wilkins" shotgun (20ga boxlock for 7K) and the story i got (after searching for the maker's name and history) was that it was simply a "Brand name" -(intended to sound "English") without historical significance... I even contacted Susan Boothroyd for information on the maker.
As told to me, the guns were/are bought/built/finished from parts that were purchased out of the "birmingham trade" and were assembled/built/finished by employees of English gun making companies that were moonlighting from their day-jobs of building guns for better-known names.
The quaility of the one gun I'm familiar with was very good, and what you would expect from today's "English Maker." Problems can arrise on sale day as although many buyers may recognize the quality, few recognize the name.
Regardless, my experience indicates that they are good guns and the combination you have is definitely unique and valuable!
Harry,
That rifle is beautiful! Man, your gonna have fun with it!
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
06 April 2005, 17:47
RustyMims,
We'll be glad to see you and your new double in Crowell April 22-24th.
06 April 2005, 19:01
HarryRusty,
Send details.
I may need to find someone to carry the ammo for me!

New Guy
I bet you are correct but I have a Purdey two bbl. set and a Holland Royal here to compare against and whomever did the work on this Wilkins ...well...it was not their first rodeo!
I made and error ...it is not Birmingham but Oxford where this set was supposedly done.
I can find no phone in Oxford for J&L Wilkins and Co.
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
06 April 2005, 20:58
AtkinsonMims,
It would serve you well never to pull that gun out in front of me, your widow would grieve for you! I would kill for such a double,couldn't help myself, not responsible for my actions..

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
06 April 2005, 21:10
Harry
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
06 April 2005, 21:11
BrettHarry,
If you haven't already try asking over at
www.shootingsportsman.com. I'll bet if you post the picture with the question you'll have an answer within 24hr...
Jealously yours;
Brett
06 April 2005, 21:18
HarryThanks Brett...
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.