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Hollis & Sheath Shotgun w/broken stock

Andrew hallAndrew hall Member Posts: 93 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
Dad left behind what was once a beautiful, double barrel, shotgun, inscribed "Hollis & Sheath" on the right lockplate, checkered wood along the pistol grip portion of the stock, intircate scroll work on lockplates, hammers and trigger guard. I cannot locate a date or any other markings on it.

The weapon was dropped while Dad was trying to hang it and the stock broke off.

Question: Is it now just an "above-the-fireplace gun?", and if so, how do I best repair it? Are there other markings I should be seeing somewhere? How do I date it?

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Comments

  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    The last One Hundred Years has made this Old Shotgun a Wall Hanger...
    Below is the History of the Hollis & Sheath Company.
    Hollis & Sheath, Birmingham, 1849-1861, Gun and Pistol Maker.
    10-11 Weaman Row---1849-1850
    and 49 Whittall Street---1851-1853
    5-11 Weaman Row---1853-1861

    Hollis & Sheath were licensed Manufacturers (under Patent No. 386 of 21 Feb.1855 and 3,036 of 22 December 1856) of Frederick Prince's Percussion Breechloading arms.

    This license was taken over by the London Armoury Co. Ltd, probably as the time Hollis and Sheath were reorganised as Isaac Hollis and Sons. Isaac Brentnall Sheath granted British Patrent No 996 of Apr. 1853 for a percussion revolver. Succeeded by Isaac Hollis & Son.

    Hollis & Sons, Isaac, Birmingham, 1861-1900
    Gun, Rifle and Pistol Maker
    In business at 5-11 Weaman Row, Lench Street in 1910. Became Hollis, Bently & Playfair. retail offices at 83 Cheapside from 1873 to 1883 and Great Winchester Street from 1884 to 1900.

    Isaac Hollis was granted British Patent No. 1083 of 1 May 1861 for a Trigger Guard Construction, also registered Design No. 4922 of 18 May 1868 for a Trigger Guard design. They were large scale manufacturers of Sporting arms for the South African market, and of cheap trade guns. Isaac Hollis made the guns for Crockart of Blairowrie.

    As for repairing Your Stock....? A Rather tough call to make without having a Hands on Look at the Stock....I've repaired Broken Stocks, and made them usable for awhile....but in the end they tend to have glue separation because of Oil in the Wood....and you're back to the begining........For a Wall Hanger it can be repaired and a Saw Dust Filler used to build up the Missing Slivers and Checkering...You'll have to make a Checkering Tool to match the amount of Cuts in the existing Checkering.....but allways keep in mind that theres really No way to make the Repair permanate...and shootable....Pleasing and presentable to Look at ...Yes........Hope the above information will be of some Interest to You........Best......Captain Kirk
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  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    I've had good success w/ .22 rifle stock repairs using Gorilla Glue (available @ Wal Mart). Incredably strong stuff.
    Might not hold up to actually firing a shotgun. But should hold it together well enough for a wall hanger.
    Read the instructions. Gorilla glue EXPANDS as it dries. Good for getting into all little crevises in the crack. But it will also expand out of the crack. Wipe away the excess as it oozes out before it dries hard.
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  • oldgunmanoldgunman Member Posts: 1,779 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It is very hard to determine if it can be repaired nicely or not without seeing it directly. If you know or have a friend that has some years of woodworking knowledge then I would show it to them. I have repaired many just using good wood glue but all breaks are different. Usually new breaks don't have the oils in them and can be done nicely. That looks as though it will also have to be re-enforced inside also with a dowel or such.
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  • MPMP Member Posts: 265 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I had not seen the name I would have thought that was a German shotgun. Looks more German than English to me. Does the piece behind the trigger guard move if you squeeze it? Broken stocks can be repaired so it's about impossible to see that it was ever broken, but not a job for someone who has never done one. Have you have the barrels out of the stock, are there proof marks? I will add that you could not ask for a break in a better place, once it's repaired and the checkering recut the break will disappear.

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    srgrep1.jpg
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  • nordnord Member Posts: 6,106 ✭
    edited November -1
    Hollis & Sheath? Hmmm...

    This piece has all the hallmarks of a gun made on the continent. German (Austria-Hungary) would be my guess. The horn trigger guard, the swivels, and the cheekpiece pretty much tell the story.

    I bet against Birmingham proofs. I wouldn't bet against Belgian one's.
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