Watson Bros, 4 Pall Mall, London
28 bore Back action Hammergun
no. 4606
Year of production: 1885-87
Click on these images for more detail.
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
This gorgeous little gun is a fine
example of how good Watson Bros were at making the smallbore sporting
hammerguns often purchased for children in the last quarter of
the 19th Century. Somehow it has survived for some 125 years in
the most fantastic original condition and is one of the most significant
'sleepers' that we have had the fortune to handle.
One interesting feature of this gun is the rare usage of a snap
version of the famous Anson forend fastener. This uses the complete
patent but omits the push rod, using ramps on the bolt and loop
to effect a snap fastening.
We have had to do relatively little to this gun, in fact we were
very impressed with its internal condition, but we have had it
reproofed for 2 ¾" cartridges, had the ribs re-laid,
put on a leather recoil pad, replaced a few pins and given it
a thorough once-over.
We are really delighted to be able to offer this little gem and
believe it will make the lucky owner a fantastic gun for woodcock
or quail.
Presented in a canvas and leather trim guncase with reproduction
trade label.
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 traditional
design and features:
60-70% Original hardening colour;
Double triggers;
Back action, bar-locks;
Sprung strikers;
Rebounding, low level hammers;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Passive top rib extension
and Anson's patent snap-on forend.
Gun weight 4lb 8oz
Engraving style Best Bold Bouquet and Scroll.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 1/2 lbs
Rear trigger 4 lb
The original Damascus barrels are 24" in length, chambered
for 2 3/4 " (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump
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 |
14.0mm (0.551")
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0.552"
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0.022"
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0.022+ (Full)
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Left Barrel |
14.0mm (0.551")
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0.552"
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0.024"
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0.022+ (Full)
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Straight hand grip Stock and Splinter Forend
are crafted from highly figured walnut. The snap-on forend features
an engraved steel tip, the stock has well defined drop-points and is
finished with a ¾" leather recoil pad. The stock is lightly
cast-off for a right-handed shot.
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Highly figured walnut
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The approx 22 lines per inch chequering
has been cut to normal bar-action sidelock pattern.
The stocks are 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 (No.1/No.2):
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 1/4"
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14 1/2"
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14 3/8"
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14 3/4"
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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 3/8"
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1 1/2"
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1 3/4"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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1/16" (approximate)
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1/8" (approximate)
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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:
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.