Barrel length 71 cm (28"), stock length 37.5 cm (14.75"), overall length 114.5 cm (45"), choke cyl & 1/4 (cyl & IC), weight 3.1 kg, year of manufacture 1965, British proof and reproof, condition 3-4.
Barrel length 71 cm (28"), stock length 37.5 cm (14.75"), overall length 114.5 cm (45"), choke cyl & 1/4 (cyl & IC), weight 3.1 kg, year of manufacture 1965, British proof and reproof, condition 3-4.
Demibloc barrels, concave rib inscribed "Boss & Co. 1314 Cork Street. London W1", ejectors, bascule with fully preserved hardening colors, fine arabesque and rose bouquet engraving, Chilton bar-action sidelocks, cocking indicators, sear and interceptor, disc-set strikers, gas release valves, automatic sliding tang safety, gold inlaid with "Safe", double trigger, marked "Boss's Patent No. 22894", subtly grained walnut stock, drop points, straight grip, worn leather recoil pad, forend with Anson push-rod with barely discernible longitudinal crack, blank gold inlaid stock monogram plate, numbered "2" in gold as part of a former pair, in original leather covered oak case including trade label, oil vial, renewed sling, breech somewhat wobbly with forend removed.
Chilton, after taking over the world-renowned lock manufacturer Joseph Brazier, continued to produce its quality until 1977 and is still considered one of the best lock makers.
As with many other historic London gunmakers, the story of Thomas Boss, born in 1790, goes hand in hand with that of Joseph Manton, where the former served his apprenticeship. In 1812, he finally went into business for himself and founded Boss & Co, initially with the further processing of existing weapons up to his own production. Prominent names such as Stephen Grant and Edward F. Paddison worked in the company, but none had such a lasting influence on the development of Boss & Co as John Robertson. Already an experienced gunsmith, Robertson not only contributed existing patents (safety, ejectors) but was instrumental in the development of a safe single trigger for s/s shotguns. This was to become one of the most distinctive features of Boss s/s shotguns, which, despite their typically English (straight) stock, were so different from other British manufacturers. Boss & Co grew over the decades to become one of the best known and most renowned London manufacturers. The partnership with Robertson from 1891 onwards had led to new heights, but at the beginning of the 20th century the introduction of the Boss Over Under Shotgun was the perfect sensation. Due to the Boss systems, the locking and anchoring of the barrels to the bascule was considerably slimmer and flatter than other manufacturers were able to realize. In addition to the various milestones of development, many changes of seat within London also adorn the history of Boss. Since 2015, Boss & Co has been owned by Arthur DeMoulas, a businessman and investor with Greek roots.
Category: Shotguns
