J Williamson, 3 Bridge Road, Stockton
on Tees, Co Durham
12 bore Rotary Underlever Hammergun
No visible number.
Year of production: pre-1887
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
This gun is a lovely example of
the famous Jones' Rotary Underlever that was so commonly used
on all types of break action guns right up until the early 20th
Century. This gun's unusual feature is the fabulous engraving
that covers near all metal surfaces, reminiscent of such famous
London gunmakers as FT Baker and Churchill.
Another interesting feature is the extraordinarily fine damascus
barrels: I have only once before seen such a fine pattern and
that was on a Stephen Grant pigeon hammergun. An interesting feature
of the barrels is that they are engraved 'Erskine's Patent' by
the lumps. Erskine's only gunmaking patent was for a slide and
tilt mechanism which this is not and one can only guess at what
the engraving refers to.
The locks, supplied by 'Joseph Brazier Ashes' and built on the
Southgate patent, are of a lovely quality and the action back
is stamped with an unidentified maker's mark: a crossed gun and
rod with the initials RR in the angles.
All the above, coupled with excellent barrel and stock dimensions,
makes her a very pretty and safe gun for either 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 traditional
design and features:
Double triggers;
Percussion fences;
Bar action rebounding locks;
Medium height, facetted hammers;
Rotary Underlever;
Finely sculpted action bar;
Deeley & Edge forend catch.
There is an antique repair to the forward end of the triggerguard where
is screws into the action.
This has been closely inspected and found to be sound.
Engraving style Best Foliate Scroll
Gun weight 6lb 12oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 lbs Rear
trigger 3 ¾ lb
The very fine damascus barrels are 30" in length, chambered
for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail'
lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of smooth, concave game type.
Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2015.
Approximate barrel measurements
at date of publication:
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Nominal Proof Size
|
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
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Minimum Wall Thickness
|
Choke Constriction
|
Right Barrel |
18.6mm
(0.732")
|
0.737"
|
0.026" Minimum
|
0.07" (IC)
|
Left Barrel |
18.5mm (0.728")
|
0.733"
|
0.024" Minimum
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0.05" (Skeet)
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The Straight-hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend (thought to
be originals) are crafted from highly figured walnut.
The stock features a skeleton butt plate, secured with engraved
screws, a vacant white metal oval and is cast-off for a right-handed
shot.
The forend features a horn tip.
The 20 lines per inch chequering has been refreshed
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 1/4"
|
14 3/8"
|
14 3/8"
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15"
|
Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
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1 11/16"
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1 7/8"
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2 1/4"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible
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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;
Jones rotary underlever patent no. 2040 of 1859;
Deeley & Edge forend fastener patent no. 1422 of 1873.