Henry Clarke & Sons, Midland Gun
Works, Leicester
16 bore Back Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 10105
Date of manufacture: 1875-87
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Heritage
Guns' Comment
This is fine example of the well-known
Thomas Perkes backaction sidelock that was retailed at one time
or another by nearly every gunmaker in the early 1880's. One of
the best known of these is Holland & Holland who marketed
the model as their 'No. 2', going on to become their Dominion
model in the 1930's.
Henry Clarke who finished and retailed this gun was a well-known
and respected Midland gun manufacturer, producing a huge range
of guns, varying from the plain to the exotic. The generous coverage
of fine bold foliate engraving marks this example out as one of
his better models and it really is a very handsome gum.
At some point it was restocked and converted to ejector on the
Perkes principle. Heritage Guns TIG sleeved this gun to 16b (from
its original 12b) making it the forth in our 'Accipiter' series
and Toby Barclay has shot it exclusively for 12 months on game
and clays. He commented that it 'is probably my best shooting
gun in recent times, especially with a 7/8oz load for clays or
pheasants using a 1oz load, delivering a very steady swing and
absorbing recoil fabulously.'
With its interceptor sears and excellent stock dimensions, this
gun would be a classy target or game gun for the discerning shooter.
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 principally of
Thomas Perkes design and features:
'Leg of Mutton' lockplates;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
'Patent Block Safety' interceptor sears;
Gold lined cocking indicators;
Back action locks;
Perkes' cocking rods with antifriction rollers;
Perkes' style ejector conversion; Breech face 'Patent Gas Check';
Top lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle'
and Anson's forend catch.
Gun weight 7lb
Engraving style Bouquet & Bold Foliate Scroll. Stylised 'Percussion'
fences. Gold inlaid SAFE.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3lbs Rear
trigger 4lbs.
The TIG sleeved Damascus to steel barrels are 30" in length,
chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail'
construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the smooth, concave game type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2014.
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 |
16.8mm (0.661")
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0.661"
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0.032"
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0.010" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
16.8mm (0.661")
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0.661"
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0.029"
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0.019" (Mod)
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The replacement Straight Hand Stock and original
Splinter Forend are both crafted from figured walnut. The stock
features a vacant white metal oval and is finished with a 1 1/8"
leather covered recoil pad. The forend wood features an engraved steel
forend tip and has several small inlet repairs to its edge.
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Figured Walnut Stock &
Forend
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The 20-22 lines per inch chequering has been
freshened to a normal back-action sidelock pattern.
The stock has a light cast-on for the left shoulder and displays a
few
small marks and dents.
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 3/4"
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14 3/4"
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15"
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15 1/2"
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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 5/8"
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2 1/16"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible
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Negligible
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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:
Scott's gas check patent no. 617 of 1882,
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,
Perkes' cocking rod patent no. 1968 of 1878,
Perkes ejector patent no12176 of 1887;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.