James MacNaughton,
26 Hanover Street, Edinburgh & Perth
12 bore 'Edinburgh' Round Action Ejector
no. 2321
Year of production: 1900

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun is a very fine example of the rare and famous round action shotguns that MacNaughton is renowned for.
One does not have to look very hard to appreciate the loveliness of this gun. Complete with damascus barrels and replacement wood of excellent dimensions, this is a very desirable gun.
What is really interesting about the round-action design is that although Dickson is synonymous with the action type, it was actually patented and first used in the UK by MacNaughton. It was then copied by Dickson which apparently caused some friction between the two Edinburgh gunmakers, although it never came to court and a private settlement is thought most likely. However, the cocking slide and so called 'gear rods' are a Dickson patent and were duly copied by MacNaughton:
What goes around, comes around!
Our sensitive restoration of this rare gun combined with excellent stock dimensions, make it a very useable, pretty and collectable gun for any connoisseur of Scottish gunmaking.
Presented in a modern leather case with original Maker's trade label and some accessories.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

 

The action is of MacNaughton's triggerplate action design and features:
Double triggers;
Rounded action bar with Dickson's patent cocking slide;
Top tang mounted automatic swing safety;
Finely chiselled fences;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Removable, metal, striker access plate;
Over-centre ejector system powered by bow springs (RH a slightly weaker replacement);
Anson forend catch.
There is some light pitting to the breech faces.
Engraving style Best Fine Scroll; 'MACNAUGHTON' & 'EDINBURGH' in scrolling banner on fences. Probably engraved by Sumner.
Gun weight 7lb 1oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ¾ lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼ lb
The rebrowned damascus barrels are 28" in length, chambered for 2 ½ " (65mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
A few vestigial pits, left to maintain wall thickness.
Top rib is of smooth, concave game type.
Original London proof for 2 ½" nitro powder cartridges in 1900.


Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
12 (0.729")
0.735"
0.021"
0.010"
(IC)
Left Barrel
12 (0.729")
0.739"
0.021"
0.042"
(Full)

The replacement Straight-hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut. The forend features a finely engraved steel tip. The stock is finished with a 1" leather covered recoil pad, features a gold oval engraved 'EM' in ornate script and is cast-off for a right-handed shot.

Highly Figured walnut

The approx. 18 lines per inch chequering has been refreshed to a traditional 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 7/8"
14 7/8"
14 7/8"
15 1/4"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2 1/8"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
Negligible
1/4" (approximate)

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:
MacNaughton triggerplate patent no 2843 of 1879;
Dickson's cocking slide patent no. 294 of 1880;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.