Here’s another nice grouse gun. This little Charles Daly is on Gunbroker.com now, and the listing ends 11/27/2013 @ 9:48:25 AM ET. Made during World War 1, it looks like it’s still in excellent original condition.
Regarding Charles Daly, he was a businessman, not a gunmaker. Around 1875 he partnered with August Shoverling and started importing shotguns into the United States from Prussia/Germany. The side-by-sides they brought in were marketed under the Charles Daly name, and up to about WW2 they were some of the finest double-barrel shotguns offered in the US.
Charles Daly Prussian Sauer SxS 16 Gauge, 26″ Barrels: It is an Anson & Deeley boxlock in 16 gauge and is marked “Charles Daly” on both sides of the receiver, “Made in Prussia” on the watertables, “Prussia” on the barrel flats, “J. P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl” on the top of both barrels and “Fluid Steel Krupp Essen” on the top barrel rib. The beauty of this piece is in its workmanship and condition. Adorned with just a bit of scroll and line engraving on the receiver, the gun is in 98% – almost mint – condition. It looks almost unused, amazing for a piece nearly 100 years old! The 26 inch Krupp steel barrels retain about 99% of their original blue with just one little scratch on the surface of the left tube. They chime like bells when dinged with your fingernail. The top rib has a doll’s head extension that locks into the top of the receiver for extra strength. The extension itself is carved to look like a scallop shell. The chamber lengths are 2 ½ inches.
The barrels are choked improved cylinder and cylinder, perfect for upland game and the bores are perfect. Extractors, not ejectors. The receiver and triggerguard are case-hardened. The colors have pretty much faded now but if you look closely you will still see quite a lot of subtle colors plus some areas that are quite vivid. There is a bit of subtle scroll and line engraving. The screws have never been turned and amazingly every screw on the sides of the receiver is held in place by a tiny set screw. True Prussian quality. The wood is very nicely grained walnut with just a few extremely light dings from careful hunting use. About all of the original varnish remains and I would rate the wood at 98%. Finely checkered round knob wrist and forend with no damaged diamonds. There is an un-engraved initial oval inlaid into the stock about 3 inches in front of the heel. The butt is finished with a horn buttplate held in place with engraved screws. Length of pull is 14 inches. Drop at comb is 1 ½ inches. Drop at heel is 2 5/8 inches. Weight is 6 pounds 5 ounces. The gun comes with its original leg-o-mutton case in excellent condition including the case’s original key.
