Adams & Co, 32 Finsbury Pavement, London
The 'Reliance' Model
12 bore Back action, Sidelock Non Ejector
no. 13348

Date of manufacture: 1882-83

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun represents an example in unusually fine condition of the early hammerless guns that were becoming more accepted in the last quarter of the 19th Century and a rare chance to buy a gun retailed by this little known gunmaker. There is a substantial amount of original colour hardening still visible on the locks and action and this coupled with the sensitive restoration makes it a very pretty and highly 'shootable' gun for either game or clays.

This gun comes complete with a brass cornered, leather case in very sound external condition with new handle and straps. Internally, the case has been relined with new 'Burgundy' all wool baize, carries an original 'maker's label and is fitted out with ebony and brass tools including 3 turnscrews mounted in a hand made oak block and a two part cleaning rod. The case is further equipped with a spare set of dedicated strikers in a horn striker pot, pewter oil bottle and set of cleaning tools in a leather wallet.

The Heritage Guns' package would not be complete without a unique leather bound Companion and a hand crafted pair of personalised Heritage Guns Damascus snapcaps.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

The action is of Thomas Perkes' design and features:
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide,
Back action locks,
Dip-edge lock plates,
Interceptor sears,
Substantial traces of original colour hardening,
'Gas Check' on breech face,
Fine Damascus barrels,

Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle',
Perkes' cocking rods running from the action knuckle to the breasts of the tumblers.
Deeley forend catch
Gun weight 6lb 13oz
Engraving style Fine scroll.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 5lbs Rear trigger 5lbs

The barrels are 29" in length, chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs. All barrel parts other than the lumps are of fine, well figured 'Damascus' laminated steel. Top rib is of the smooth, concave, game type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2001.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.5mm (0.728")
0.728"
0.027" Minimum
0.002" (Cyl)
Left Barrel
18.7mm (0.736")
0.736"
0.022" Minimum
0.033"(3/4)

Half Pistol Grip Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured, honey coloured walnut. The grip is fitted with the original horn cap secured with a single engraved pin. There is a very small and almost invisible inlet repair to the rear of the RH lock plate.

The stock has a very slight cast off for a right-handed shot and is finished with a traditional leather covered recoil pad.

Well figured walnut

The 18 lines per inch chequering has been recut to the normal back lock design.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 3/8"
14 1/2"
14 7/16"
14 3/4"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2 3/16"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
1/16 (approximate)
3/16 (approximate)

For the purposes of these measurements, 'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8" from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).

Patents Exhibited include:
Perkes' cocking rod patent no. 1968 of 1878,
Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882,

'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,

Needham & Hinton interceptor sears patent no. 706 of 1879,

Deeley's forend fastener patent no. 1422 of 1873

and last but not least
Henry's snap cap patent no. 3257 of 1870.