Burt Becker #4

[DGKaas]

The barrels on Becker #4 are 30" in length, stamped 2 weight with 2 3/4" chambers, .732 bores and are choked .015/.027. The frame and fore end have no Fox markings and are only marked "4". The barrels are marked "Fox Proof" and the the Fox serial number 30023 is stipled out but still visible. The number on the engraved guard is also stippled over. The ejectors are both marked 30023. From the number, workmanship and styling we would date this gun from the 1930's. The gun's original owner and supposed Becker client was one of two pigeon shooting brothers in the salvage business in Wilmington, DE. I bought the gun along with a CE at Miller's a few years ago where it was consigned by the now late nephew of the brothers. Chatter on gunshop.com had a "strange custom Sterlingworth at Millers in Delaware" so I went down one long lunch hour after discussing it with Eightbore and I did the deal. We both had suspected "Becker" so it was worth the drive. They, along with a number of other fine guns, including some Winchesters and G&H rifles had previously been in the vaults of the Wilmington Trust Co. for 20 years following the death of the brothers. The gun appears little used but does have some handling marks and remains in the same condition I found it in. When I got it home that night, I pulled the triggerguard as I usually do as part of my "make sure all the screws are tight before you shoot it" routine. On the inside of the guard were the numbers 33050. This rang a bell and I checked Tom Kidd's Article "An English Alliance" in DGJ. The story now fit. The guard was off of Nash Buckingham's DE/HE Whitworth Special 33050 delivered to him c/o Henry Bartholmew in 1929 and later restocked by Becker to a pistol grip using a C grade guard. Apparently, Becker reused the original straight grip guard for Becker #4. Whether it was born with the D grade barrels who can say but the metal and woodwork are unquestionably Becker. As Craig mentioned, I referred to #4 as a "bitsa" which is a British car and motorcycle term for a car or bike made out of pieces (bits of this and bits of that...). Like many British racing specials, #4 is a well made piece of kit from the bench of old Burt. I recently repurchased the gun from my friend Russ to whom I had sold it. I may not own one of Nash's gun but atleast I own his trigger guard again

[Jim Cloninger]

Very interesting, Don. Thanks for the "rest of the story".
Jim Cloninger

[Don Ay]

Don,
Thanks for posting that info,really neat stuff

[eightbore]

Don, thanks for the information. Did you ever request a letter on 30023?

[DGKaas]

Yes, Bill. Russ has it. We'll dig it out at some point.

[eightbore]

Thanks, Don.

[birdawg]

Great Story,
Thank you, Sir.

[eightbore]

This is a synopsis of the Delaware Becker discovery. There is another discussion a bit earlier than this one. I am unable to find that thread. The thread may actually be a series of emails between Don Kaas and me the day we found the guns.

[loggy]

Thanks for finding the thread. Always interested in Becker formation.

[Jim Cloninger]

Thanks, Bill. I realy miss Don Kass's posts. Jim