Mark, the old Jones underlever single is marked "J. H. Mount Stephen" on the lock plate and on barrel "New Barrel by Agnew of Exeter". Would you see what you can dig up. While your at it, how about Saunders, who according the the Army Navy records is the maker of my 12 bore shotgun. Thanks, Bob

I'll bring the A&N to the range to show off Wolf's work this weekend.

Hey Bob,
How about a trip to the range with the doubles Saturday afternoon around 4PM?

That'll work fine. Bob

Bob:

The single is a West Country gun. The connection between Mountstephen and Agnew seems plain enough. They were both Devonshire gunmakers - John Henry Mountstephen (the same man is also encountered as "Mount Stephen") in Torquay and Plymouth and A. Agnew & Son in Exeter. We can rough date the retube by the proof marks, but the barrel address won't be of much help in that regard, as Agnew didn't move.

No need to look up John Saunders, as he was one of the better known Birmingham trade makers (most of his work was for other gunmakers). Like Harry Leonard, he made many guns and rifles for W. J. Jeffery & Co, between the two of them perhaps the bulk. Not surprising to find him in the A & N records.

I'll copy what I have on all three and bring it along Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Thanks, Mark, our own Wikipedia of doubles. Bob

There is a huge database of British gunmakers at www.internetgunclub.com They also have a paid reference service which is quite efficient in getting information for you if you are a subscriber.

DO post pics of your rifle here. Good hunting!