Alexander Blair, 28 Gordon Street, Glasgow
12 bore Bar action Hammergun
no. 1813
Year of production: 1884-1886
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
Alexander Blair was only in business
at this address for 2 years so, unusually for this little know
gunmaker, we can date this gun quite accurately.
This gun represents a fine condition example of the elegant sporting
hammerguns that were the vogue in the last quarter of the 19th
Century. There are touches of original colour hardening still
visible on the locks and action and this coupled with the sensitive
restoration and excellent barrel dimensions makes it a very pretty
and safe gun for either game or clays.
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 traditional
design and features:
Double triggers;
Rounded action bar;
Bar action, rebounding locks;
Low level hammers;
Sprung strikers; Percussion fences;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Hacket style, snap-on forend fastener.
Engraving style Border & Foliate Scroll.
Gun weight 6lb 14oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 1/2lbs Rear
trigger 4lb
The rebrowned, fine Damascus barrels are 29 3/8" "
in length, chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are
of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of smooth, concave game type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.
Approximate barrel measurements
at date of publication:
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Nominal Proof Size
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Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
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Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
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Right Barrel |
18.6mm
(0.732")
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0.732"
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0.027"
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0.006" (Skeet)
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Left Barrel |
18.5mm
(0.728")
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0.730"
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0.022+"
(@ 8" from muzzle)
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0.021" (Mod)
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The Straight Hand Grip Stock and Splinter
Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut
and feature a vacant white metal oval. There are possible antique repairs
to the upper horns and they have been internally pinned for added strength.
The snap-on forend carries a engraved steel tip and the stock is finished
with a ½" Ebonite butt plate secured by engraved screws.
The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot and there is one
small inlet repair to the forend tip.
The 22 approx lines per inch chequering has
been freshened to the original pattern.
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
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Pull to Bump
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Pull to Centre
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Pull to Toe
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14 5/8"
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14 3/4"
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14 11/16"
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15 3/16"
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Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
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1 1/2"
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1 3/4"
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2 1/4"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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1/8" (approximate)
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1/8" (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:
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Hackett's forend fastener patent no. 964 of 1878.