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.

 

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:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
16.8mm (0.661")
0.661"
0.032"
0.010" (IC)
Left Barrel
16.8mm (0.661")
0.661"
0.029"
0.019" (Mod)

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.

Figured Walnut Stock & Forend

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
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 3/4"
14 3/4"
15"
15 1/2"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
2 1/16"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
Negligible
Negligible

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.