Birmingham, England, used to be one of the world’s largest gunmaking towns. Thousands of people used to be employed by the trade there, and all kinds of makers had shops or factories in and around the city. William Ford was one of these makers.
William Ford rose to prominence in the late 1870s as a barrel maker, and by the 1880s he had his own shop/factory in Birmingham. I’m not sure when the side-by-side you see here was built, but judging by the fluid-steel bbls I’d say it was made in the early 20th century. From what I can see, this double looks like a good deals – if the gun is in proof and the bbl walls are sound (I like to see .o25″+ as a minimum in each tube). Be sure you find out before you close the deal.
12 gauge William Ford – BLE – Side-by-Side Double Barrel Shotgun: Price: $2,650
Shotgun type: SxS
Action: Boxlock
Ejectors: Yes
Trigger: Double
Grip: Straight Grip
Forend: Checkered
Lop: 14 1/2 ”
Pad thickness: 0.5 ”
Type of butt: Leather Covered Pad
Drop comb: 1 3/8 ”
Drop heel: 2 1/4 ”
Cast amount: 3/16 ”
Cast: OFF
Weight: 6 lbs, 10 oz
Chamber: 2 3/4 ”
Length: 28 ”
Chokes: Skeet 1 and 2
Rib type: Concave
Manufactured in: England
Overall condition: Very Good
Stock condition: Very Good
Metal condition: Very Good
Stock: Original finish
Metal: Original finish
Type of Case: Leather Luggage Case
