William Tanton, 28 George Street,
Tenterden, Kent
16 bore Back-action, Sidelever Hammergun
no. 503.
No.1 of
a Pair.
Year of manufacture: circa 1874
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Click on these images for more detail.
|
Heritage Guns' Comment
This hammergun is a truly lovely
example of the smaller bore sporting hammerguns that were popular
in the last quarter of the 19th century with ladies,
more elderly shooters or those who simply appreciated the svelte
elegance of the 16b. Usually these guns originate from the
Birmingham trade but it has been suggested that this example was
made in London, probably by the better end of the trade. Not only
does it feature an elegant sidelever but also some very fine
engraving of a style reminiscent of Grant hammerguns of the
period.
A16b hammergun of quite superb quality at the
great price of only $7295 |
The
action
is of traditional design and features:
Double triggers;
Stanton
patent, rebounding, back-action locks;
High level, ‘Hare’s Ear’
hammers;
Sprung strikers; Finely carved percussion fences;
Rounded bar; Long top tang;
Side lever opening, operating a 'Purdey’
bolt;
Cross bolt, or ‘Wedge’, forend fastening.
Some original
hardening colour in protected places.
Engraving style Fine foliate
scroll, possibly by Sumner.
Locks signed ‘W Tanton’. ‘1’ engraved on
top rib and triggerguard.
Action flats stamped ‘JP PATENT 589 B’ in
a diamond cartouche.
Front lump finely engraved with foliage and
hatch-work even though not a ‘thru-lump’.
Gun weight 6lb 4oz
Balance point is just in front of the hinge pin.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear
trigger 4 ½ lbs
The original damascus barrels
are 30" in length, chambered for 2 ½ " (65mm) cartridges and are of
brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
The
bores have a number of small marks but otherwise clean.
Top rib
is of convex, smooth, game style.
London reproof for 65mm
nitro powder cartridges in 1997.
Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:
|
Nominal Proof Size
|
Bore Diameter 9"
from Breech |
Minimum Wall Thickness
|
Choke Constriction
|
|
|
|
17.2mm (0.677")
|
0.675"
|
0.021"
|
0.006" (Skeet)
|
Left Barrel |
17.2mm (0.677")
|
0.674"
|
0.026"
|
0.004" (Skeet)
|
The original straight hand Stock and Splinter Forend
are crafted from highly figured walnut, the stock is cast-off for a
right-handed shot, features a vacant white metal oval and is finished
with a 1” leather covered recoil pad. Some antique marks and small
dents to the body of the stock.
The forend has a finely
engraved and sculpted steel tip and engraved cross bolt escutcheons.
 |
Highly Figured Walnut
|
 |
The 24 lines per inch chequering
(20 lpi on forend) has been freshened to its original 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 5/8"
|
14 3/4"
|
14 7/8"
|
15 3/8"
|
|
Drop at Comb
|
Drop at Face
|
Drop at Heel
|
|
1 1/2"
|
1 3/4"
|
2 5/16"
|
|
Cast-off at Comb
|
Cast-off at Heel
|
|
Negligible
|
1/8" (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:
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of
1867,
'Purdey
Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863.