Make: Cogswell & Harrison LTD, London. Imported by Navy Arms

Model: The Avant Tout

Serial Number: 41845

Year of Manufacture: 1908 / C&R

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2" Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Box Lock, Top Break, Double Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors.

Barrel Length: Approximate 30"

Choke: The left choke shows a constriction of .015, LM and the right choke shows a constriction of .005, Skeet, Fixed.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead at the muzzle.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with a straight hand wrist, straight comb, steel tipped splinter forend, serrated rear of the buttstock. There is an oval metallic inlay in the belly of the buttstock. There are scattered handling marks and compressions. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering holds some definition, but most has been smoothed or deformed by compressions. The LOP measures 13 5/8" and 14 1/2" from the front of the triggers to the rear of the buttstock, respectively. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The smooth bores are bright. There is light erosion scattered about the bores. In this writer's opinion the bores each rate 7/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 25% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows scattered handling marks and light intermittent oxidation. Most of the barrels have taken to a light mottled patina. The case color has muted to a silver color with some color reserved in the protected areas. There is operational wear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tooled marked with strong slots. The markings are clear though a little faint in some worn areas. Overall, this shotgun rates in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The lockup is solid with no play. The shotgun’s action automatically returns to “SAFE” when the break-lever is actuated and functions properly when manually set. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Cogswell & Harrison “The Avant Tout” is a classic London trade boxlock, produced around the turn of the twentieth century when British sporting guns emphasized balance, reliability, and understated refinement. Built with ejectors and long 30 inch barrels, this example reflects a purposeful field configuration intended for driven shooting and longer sighting planes. Chambered for 2 1/2 inch 12 gauge shells and fitted with modest constrictions approximating Skeet and Light Modified, it embodies the practical versatility expected of an English game gun of this era rather than a high ornamentation best gun.

This shotgun now presents with a largely silvered appearance, retaining roughly 25 percent of its original metal finish as the balance has transitioned to a light mottled patina with scattered oxidation and honest operational wear. The bores remain bright with light erosion present, each rating 7 out of 10, and the ejector system functions correctly with a solid, tight lockup. The walnut stocks show scattered handling marks and compressions but remain free of cracks or chips, with softened checkering consistent with long use. Overall, this is an authentic, well worn example of a London marked sporting double that retains strong period character and mechanical integrity.