description

Just arrived at the U.S. Agency is a very well-preserved Prussian made Charles Daly. Original records from Schoverling, Daly & Gales and Lindner have all been lost to time, but I can say with a high degree of certainty that this gun was completed in 1902. The gun not only remains in very high, original condition, but it also represents a rare transition in an already very small production.

All the guns made by Lindner were of very high quality and based on the famous Westley Richards & Co. patented A&D Hammerless “boxlock” action with some of Lindner’s own innovations and shape. He used a Greener type crossbolt that he described in early catalogs as a “rectangle” but, in fact, it is a square bolt as opposed to Greener’s round bolt. On his higher-grade guns, the crossbolt is “hidden” meaning it did not protrude out of the action when the gun was opened. Lindner incorporated his own intercepting sears and gilded cocking indicators on either side of the top lever.

Sideclips are first mentioned in the 1902 catalog but not pictured until the 1903 catalog. Prior to the introduction of sideclips, the gun’s fences have a curve shaped into them that gives the appearance of sideclips, as this gun has.

Ejectors are noted immediately by the diamond shaped steel escutcheons on either side of the forend. Ejectors were an expensive option and reserved for only the highest-grade guns.  

S.D.&G. did not offer fluid steel barrels until 1899 and for a brief 4 years, Prussian made Daly guns could be had with either Damascus steel or Fluid steel barrels. It is also only in these last 4 years the Damascus barrels could be had along with the best features such as the "rectangle" crossbolt, elegant action shape, and fine engraving that were not offered until the beginning of the 20th Century.

The gun pictured here is No. 968 and was no doubt made during this very brief transition period.

The "Extra Fine Damascus Barrels", as is marked on the top rib, happen to be one of the outstanding features of this gun and they remain in near perfect condition showing no signs of ever being altered. The Damascus pattern is very clear and pleasing to the eye but little to no brown remains. What, in my experience, is quite rare is that these barrels measure to their original proof with their original chamber length, bore diameter, and wall thickness.

While the gun does qualify as a “12 gauge”, it is of a bore diameter common in 12g shotguns at the end of the 1800’s and proofed as a “13/1” bore means the nominal, or approximate, bore diameter should be .719” as opposed to the .729” bore diameter that is the SAAMI standard today. The barrels on this gun both measures well within the .719” proof range. 

Additionally, the gun must have the original chamber length it was made with to be considered in proof. The chambers on this gun maintain their original length for 2 ½” shells. At the same time, the barrels maintain excellent wall thickness. 

Another of the hallmarks of the higher-grade Prussian made Daly guns, such as the Diamond Quality, was their superb engraving. Fritz Heimbeck is the man responsible for the highly detailed and very well cut game scenes seen on the higher grade Lindner guns from 1900 to 1916.

Excellent even by today’s standards, the engraving on a gun like the one featured here, known just a “Diamond Quality” during this era, has delicate English style scroll surrounding a game scene vignette on the bottom of the action that depicts a Setter along a fence row over a brace of quail or partridge hiding in a bush. There are long beaked shore birds, like snipe or rails, engraved on the guard bow.

Prussian Daly guns were also expertly stocked with the traditional drop points and checkered side panels on the higher grades. Unique to Daly stocks of this time is the distinguishing thumb flutes at the point of the comb, a horn inlay on the bottom of the grip that comes to a rounded point, and a horn forend tip. The thumb flutes on the comb and horn pistol grip cap are still intact and something easily lost when a Prussian made Daly’s wood is refinished. Another tell-tell sign I look for when evaluating a Prussian Daly.    

Overall, the condition of this gun that is 122 years old is superb. The action shows traces of original case colors in protected areas on the outside of the receiver and nearly all the color on the water table and standing breech. The wood also remains excellent too retaining the original horn butt plate, another original feature of this gun that is often replaced. The barrels have lots most of their original brown finish but have eased to a very nice patina that still shows the vivid twist pattern very nicely. The guard bow still retains the majority of its original black finish.

share