Henry Clarke, 38 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester
16 bore Boxlock Non-ejector
No. 10108
Date of manufacture: circa 1887
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Click on these images for more detail.
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Heritage Guns' Comment
This gun is an unusually finely finished example of the Anson &
Deeley boxlock that had become such a hugely successful design by
the last quarter of the 19th Century. Henry Clarke and family were
in business for very nearly a 100 years in Leicester and sold a
huge range of guns, some probably made in house but many sourced
from the upper end of the Birmingham guntrade. Their policy seems
to have been to buy in good quality guns in a fine state of finish
and retail at advantageous prices. Their products were always
nicely engraved and well-appointed with the latest developments in
gunmaking. This gun’s stock has been extended to nearly 16” and
could be easily shortened to suit the owner’s needs. Likewise the
neutral stock cast makes the gun very adaptable to both left and
right handed shooters. I make no excuses for listing this shotgun
as I think that its sensible weight, the glorious simplicity and
ruggedness of a boxlock non-ejector, the nicely sleeved steel
barrels and light-touch restoration makes it a very practical gun
for either upland 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 Anson & Deeley design and features:
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Anson’s ‘dicky bird’ safety mechanism;
Top lever opening,
operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Passive
‘dolls head’ top rib extension;
Anson pushrod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 5oz
Engraving style Bold foliate. Gold inlaid ‘SAFE’.
Note: the
engraving is a little worn on soft metal surfaces.
Trigger pulls
measure approximately: Front trigger 4 lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼ lbs.
The soft-solder sleeved steel barrels are 28" in length,
chambered for 2 ½ " (65mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump
construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the smooth,
concave, game type.
Birmingham proof for 2 ½”
nitro powder cartridges in 1972.
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 |
0.662"
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0.662"
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0.023"
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0.008" (IC)
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| Left Barrel |
0.662"
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0.662"
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0.025"
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0.020" (Mod)
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Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. The stock has neutral cast and features well-defined drop points, a vacant white metal oval and is finished with a 1 ½” well matched walnut extension. The forend features a finely engraved steel tip.
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Well Figured Walnut Stock &
Forend
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The 20 lines per inch chequering.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based
preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers.
Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:
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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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15 3/4"
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15 7/8"
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15 3/4"
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16 1/8"
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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 1/2"
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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:
Anson & Deeley's boxlock patent no.
1756 of 1875;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Anson &
Deeley's safety catch no. 907 of 1879;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of
1872.