I’ve written a lot about Charles Daly shotguns — and for good reason. Up until the mid-1930s, Daly shotguns were some of the finest doubles sold in the US.
Charles Daly was a businessman, not a gunmaker. Around 1875 he partnered with August Shoverling to import shotguns into the United States. These side-by-sides were marketed under the Charles Daly name, and early on they were built by serveral different makers.
By the time this gun was built, Daly had established a relationship with a German gunmaker named Harold Lindner. The Lindner-Daly relationship lasted from the end of the 19th century until around WW1, and produced some of the finest boxlock shotguns ever made.
This Daly is Gunauction.com now at No Reserve and the listing ends December 21, 2014, @ 17:27:00 PT.
BTW: You can see more nice Charles Dalys that I’ve written about here and here.
Lindner Made Charles Daly SxS Shotgun, Diamond Quality SN307, 1800s Antique 12 Gauge
Model: Side by Side
Serial Number: 307
Year of Manufacture: Pre-1890 (Crown over Crossed Pistols Proof)
Gauge: 12 Gauge
Action Type: Side by Side (SxS) with Dual Triggers and Automatic Ejectors
Markings: The lock plates are marked “CHARLES DALY THURINGIA”. The underside of the receiver is engraved with a pointing dog and pheasant game scene. The underside of the trigger guard is decorated with a Deer. The bottom tang is marked “307”. The top tang is marked “SAFE” in gold. The water table is marked “307”. The metal oval insert on the belly of the buttstock is marked “D.B. RESS”. The top rib is marked “CHARLES DALY EXTRA FINE DAMASCUS BARRELS DIAMOND QUALITY”. The underside of the left barrel is marked “LE”. Both barrels are marked “SAXONY” and with crossed pistols with a crown above them. The underside of the right barrel is marked “453”. The right barrel flat is marked “307”. The forend hardware is marked “307”.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: Both bores measure .715” at the muzzle.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut. The forend has some compression marks. The buttstock has a rounded pistol grip. The butt of the pistol grip has an oval recession. There are light scratches, compression marks and handling marks throughout. The belly of the buttstock has an oval piece of metal inlayed which is marked “D.B. Ress”. The LOP measures 14 ¼” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the horn buttplate. There are small holes in the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There are a few light scratches down the length of the bores. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some pinprick surface erosion and frosting on the underside of the receiver and trigger guard. The barrel shows a light brown patina. The Herringbone Damascus pattern is still very visible. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. We have not fired this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This was a Charles Daly marked shotgun made in Germany by Heinrich Lindner. This particular model is a Diamond quality with fine engraving and special Manufacture Extra Damascus barrels which were said to be five times more expensive than the standard Damascus. This is truly a quality firearm and was made to last. This is for the collector and is in great functioning condition.
