Make: John Wilkes 79 Beak Street, London Imported by Classic Arms

Model: Boxlock Double Gun

Serial Number: 10.310

Year of Manufacture: Circa Early 1900s

Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 1/2" Shells

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

Barrel Length: Approximate 25"

Choke: The left choke shows a constriction of .014, Modified, Fixed and the right choke shows a constriction of .000, Cylinder, Fixed.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a metallic 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 with Deeley Release, and orange rubber buttpad. 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 is crisp with light peak wear. The LOP measures 12 3/4" and 13 5/8" from the front of the triggers to the rear of the buttpad, respectively. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition. Slightly cast off, kicked out at the toe.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: The barrels have been refinished. The rest of the finish is original.

Bore Condition: The smooth bores are bright. There is faint erosion. There is a small dent on the right side of the right barrel about an inch from the muzzle. In this writer's opinion the bores rate 7/10.

Weight: 5lbs 6oz

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish on the barrels is strong throughout. Most of the case color has muted to a silver. The protected areas retain some case color. There is light scattered handling wear with some minor thinning on the leading edges. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tooled marked with strong slots. The markings and engravings are crisp though the markings on top of the rib are a bit shallow. Overall, this shotgun rates in Fine condition as partially refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the extractor. 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: John Wilkes of 79 Beak Street, London, built sporting guns during the height of Britain’s golden age of gunmaking, supplying practical yet refined doubles for the game fields of the early twentieth century. This 20 gauge boxlock double, chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells and fitted with lively 25 inch barrels, reflects that tradition with clean London lines, a straight hand stock, and a purposeful Cylinder and Modified choke pairing. It is the sort of light, responsive field gun long favored for walked up shooting and upland work, where balance and instinctive handling matter more than ornamentation.

This example retains approximately 50% of its metal finish, with the refinished barrels showing strong coverage and the receiver largely silvered from muted case color, still retaining traces in protected areas. The bores are bright with faint erosion and rate 7 out of 10, though there is a small dent near the muzzle on the right barrel that should be noted. The walnut stocks remain in Very Good condition with crisp checkering and only scattered handling marks, and the action locks up solid with a properly functioning extractor and automatic safety. Overall, this Wilkes presents as a well balanced London boxlock with honest age, clear markings, and strong mechanical integrity that reflects its heritage in the British sporting tradition.