Adams
& Co, 32 Finsbury Pavement, London
The 'Reliance' Model
12 bore Back action, Sidelock Non Ejector
no. 13348
Date
of manufacture: 1882-83
Click on these images for more detail.
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.
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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.
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)
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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.