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English Shotguns

The first English shotguns were designed in the early 1700s before the word shotgun was recognized. They were known as fowling pieces and were often signifiers of status, affordable only to those of good fortune.

The aristocratic past of the fowling piece has followed the English shotgun into the modern day. English shotguns are often meticulously crafted and of extremely high quality.

English shotguns are most commonly single- and double-barrel designs that vary between over and under and side-by-side designs. English shotguns are very popular worldwide for the craftsmanship implemented in their construction. English shotguns by Holland & Holland, Boss, and other leading shotgun manufacturers are often considered heirloom or investment-grade shotguns.


Quick Facts

  • A 12-gauge Purdey shotgun once owned by champion shooter Russell B. Atkins sold for $52,800
  • The term automatic was first applied to firearms when English shotgun manufacturers designed an automatic cocking mechanism in 1876
  • Eric Clapton is known to enjoy English shotguns. A Boss shotgun is the most well known of his firearms

Recommended Items at Auction

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Churchill Windsor III 20 GA
Sep 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Churchill Windsor III 20 GA
by Accurate Gun Auctions
Est: $20- $25,000
$1504 Bids
ALEXr. HENRY & CO. A 12-BORE '3RD QUALITY' BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 7165,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
ALEXr. HENRY & CO. A 12-BORE '3RD QUALITY' BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 7165,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £300- £500
£3002 Bids
E Salvinelli Atlas-65-ST 410g O/U 26" Shotgun14716
Sep 23, 10:00 AM CDT
E Salvinelli Atlas-65-ST 410g O/U 26" Shotgun14716
by Donley Auction Services
Est: $600- $1,000
$4001 Bid
BOSS & CO. A 12-BORE SINGLE-TRIGGER EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 4626,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
BOSS & CO. A 12-BORE SINGLE-TRIGGER EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 4626,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £2,000- £3,000
£2,0000 Bids
H.S. GREENFIELD & SON A 20-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. H22758,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
H.S. GREENFIELD & SON A 20-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. H22758,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £700- £900
£7000 Bids
* HOLLAND & HOLLAND A 16-BORE 'ROYAL' HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 27204,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
* HOLLAND & HOLLAND A 16-BORE 'ROYAL' HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 27204,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £3,000- £5,000
£3,0000 Bids
JOSEPH LANG & SON A 16-BORE TOPLEVER HAMMERGUN, serial no. 6501,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
JOSEPH LANG & SON A 16-BORE TOPLEVER HAMMERGUN, serial no. 6501,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £500- £700
£5000 Bids
ALEX HENRY & CO. A 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 7658,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
ALEX HENRY & CO. A 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 7658,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £500- £700
£5000 Bids
F. BEESLEY A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 1378,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
F. BEESLEY A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 1378,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £1,000- £1,500
£1,0000 Bids
** AYA A UNIQUE 12-BORE 'CENTENARY' SINGLE-TRIGGER HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 160-15,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
** AYA A UNIQUE 12-BORE 'CENTENARY' SINGLE-TRIGGER HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 160-15,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £6,000- £8,000
£6,0000 Bids
HOLLAND & HOLLAND A 12-BORE 'ROYAL' SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 14897,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
HOLLAND & HOLLAND A 12-BORE 'ROYAL' SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 14897,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £2,500- £3,500
£2,4000 Bids
JAMES WOODWARD & SONS A .410 (SMOOTHBORED) SIDELEVER HAMMER ROOK RIFLE, serial no. 64032 / 5662,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
JAMES WOODWARD & SONS A .410 (SMOOTHBORED) SIDELEVER HAMMER ROOK RIFLE, serial no. 64032 / 5662,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £500- £700
£5000 Bids
A 10-BORE (2 7/8IN.) BOXLOCK EJECTOR BY H. J. HUSSEY LTD., serial no. 14302,
Nov 27, 10:00 AM GMT
A 10-BORE (2 7/8IN.) BOXLOCK EJECTOR BY H. J. HUSSEY LTD., serial no. 14302,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £1,200- £1,600
£1,2000 Bids
AN 8-BORE SINGLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN BY J. BLANCH & SON, serial no. '671',
Nov 27, 10:00 AM GMT
AN 8-BORE SINGLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN BY J. BLANCH & SON, serial no. '671',
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £800- £1,200
£8000 Bids
AN 8-BORE SINGLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN BY J & W. TOLLEY, serial no. 6713,
Nov 27, 10:00 AM GMT
AN 8-BORE SINGLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMERGUN BY J & W. TOLLEY, serial no. 6713,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £800- £1,200
£8000 Bids
BOSS & CO. A PAIR OF 12-BORE SINGLE TRIGGER EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 6351 / 2,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
BOSS & CO. A PAIR OF 12-BORE SINGLE TRIGGER EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 6351 / 2,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £5,000- £7,000
£5,0000 Bids
BOSS & CO. A 12-BORE EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 7662,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
BOSS & CO. A 12-BORE EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 7662,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £5,000- £7,000
£5,0000 Bids
CHARLES BOSWELL A PAIR OF 12-BORE 'BEST QUALITY' SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 17829 / 30,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
CHARLES BOSWELL A PAIR OF 12-BORE 'BEST QUALITY' SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 17829 / 30,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £5,000- £7,000
£5,0000 Bids
WILLIAM POWELL & SON A PAIR OF 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 14077 / 8,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
WILLIAM POWELL & SON A PAIR OF 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 14077 / 8,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £5,000- £7,000
£5,0000 Bids
WILLIAM POWELL & SON A 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 14384,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
WILLIAM POWELL & SON A 12-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 14384,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £300- £500
£3000 Bids
JOHN DICKSON & SON A FINE GROJEAN-ENGRAVED 20-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 8013,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
JOHN DICKSON & SON A FINE GROJEAN-ENGRAVED 20-BORE BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 8013,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £7,000- £9,000
£7,0000 Bids
I. HOLLIS & SONS A 12-BORE ANSON 1884 PATENT BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 33525,
Nov 28, 10:00 AM GMT
I. HOLLIS & SONS A 12-BORE ANSON 1884 PATENT BOXLOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 33525,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £600- £800
£6000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell English Shotguns


Holts Auctioneers

Holts Auctioneers

Donley Auction Services

Donley Auction Services

Accurate Gun Auctions

Accurate Gun Auctions