Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Thomas Horsley (of York) Boxlock

Hi all, I purchased my first SxS recently, and I’m wondering if any of you are familiar with the gunmaker? The rib is engraved THOMAS HORSLEY & SONS. LTD. YORK. I believe the shotgun was manufactured in 1914. It’s a 12 with a 2.5” chamber. I like it a lot the way it is, but it may be more convenient to ream the chamber to 2.75”, but I don’t want to do it if the gun has value. I’ve done some googling and found a book on Mr. Horsley that I’ll probably buy, but I’ve yet to find any information online.

I'd do a whole bunch of reading before I reached for a reamer.

I've only seen a glimps. But old SxS's are big subject of infinite detail.

Congratulations.

No need to lengthen chambers.

Don't shoot off the shelf shells. Pressures will be high for the old gun. Reload 2 1/2" hulls or get RST shells when available.

Shooting old guns is great but there are some different factors involved.

Doublegunshop.com has some nice guys ( some turds) who are very knowledgeable in such matters. Horsley was a well respected provincial maker and gunsmith for many years. Records do exist and I feel you can possibly obtain some history on your gun with a bit of effort.

The alteration of the chamber will be a value loss proposition, rendering the piece " out of proof" a factor of considerable importance if resale were ever contemplated. Current ammo shortages aside , there are numerous suitable game shells offered in 2.5" length in more normal times, even just a year ago.

This ^^^^^. DON'T open up the chambers. I shoot old SXS guns all the time and the 2 1/2 inch 12 is fine for anything you want to do with the gun. Remember the gun has some age on it but more importantly so does the wood.

Post up some photos of your new shotgun.

If you don't mind providing a s/n I can pin the date down.
As for value, some good pics would be helpful, along with details like; side clips? 3rd fastener? engraving? gold inlays? etc.
The hell is in the details.

Thanks for the responses. I’m enjoying it so far. I’ll probably go the RST route. Thanks Savuti, I just saw your post. The serial number is 3931. I’ll take a hard look to find the other info.

That s/n is from the period when info is sketchy. They made 253 guns from 1902 thru 1918.
The last gun made in 1901 was 3699 and the first gun made in 1918 was 3952.
It's unlikely they made many if any during WWl, so your date of 1914 is probably about right.

There were 3 Thos. Horsleys from York, the first founded the company in 1932. On his death in 1882,
his son took over until his death in 1915. The grandson of the founder, also Thomas (1869-1954), and three of his brothers
continued the business until it closed in 1959.

From the pics, no side clips, typically English rose and scroll on the receiver, and later stock extension.
Very nice gun. Personally I wouldn't lengthen the chambers, but the gun's value is as a superb field gun,
not as a collectible. Good luck with her!

My info came from: https://www.amazon.com/British-Gunm...+gunmakers&qid=1618772142&sr=8-1

Beautiful gun for sure!

Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it.