Here’s a beautiful, high-quality shotgun you rarely see: It’s a 12 gauge Charles Daly O/U made in Prussia by F. W. Heym. It’s on Gunbroker.com now and the online auctions ends on Sat, 10/18/2014, @ 12:46:55 AM ET.
Charles Daly was an importer, not a maker, and his company had doubles built in Europe for the American market. Charles Daly side-by-sides are famous for their high quality, and this O/U looks like it’s just as well made. It’s a boxlock with sideplates. It was built in the 1920s, right when Charles Daly first offered O/Us. In its day, it was a very expensive shotgun — $500. At the same time, you could buy a Charles Daly Diamond Quality side-by-side for $450, an A.H. Fox DE for $256.60, and Parker CHE for around $220.
Charles Daly Prussian O/U 12 Gauge – F.W. Heym: This Charles Daly Prussian O/U 12 Gauge has been owned by the same family since its original purchase and is in very good condition. The pictures speak for themselves and I will answer any questions to the best of my ability. The length of pull is 14.5″ from front trigger to end of recoil pad, and 13.5″ from the rear trigger to end of recoil pad. (Correction) Barrels are 28″. Weight is 7 lbs. (Analog scale so this isn’t exact). Gun features shell extractors and safety lever. Choke is tapered, with bore diameter at muzzle being 18mm (perhaps just a hair under).
