Samuel B Allport, 50 Whittall Street, Birmingham
20 bore Back action Hammergun
no. 2085

Year of production: 1875-87

Click on these images for more detail.

Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun is a most interesting and elegant, small bore, sporting hammergun such as were commonly purchased for young people or by ladies in the last quarter of the 19th Century.
The gun is interesting as it incorporates a rare usage of Allport's own bolting leverwork, utilising an offset internal lever to operate the otherwise normal 'Purdey Bolt'. Although showing some wear in places, the engraving was of the very Best quality and combined with the finely finished internal parts, it emphasises that this was not built as a cheap gun.
Coupled with the sensitive restoration, excellent barrel dimensions makes it 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.

 

The action is generally of traditional design and features:
Double triggers;
Rounded action bar;
Stanton patent rebounding, back action locks;
High hammers; Sprung strikers; Percussion fences;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of Allport's patent leverwork;
Deeley & Edge forend catch.

Engraving style Best Foliate Scroll (some wear in places)
Gun weight 5lb 3oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear trigger 3 ¾ lb
The soft solder sleeved, steel to damascus barrels are 28" 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, slightly swamped.
Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2015.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
15.9mm (0.626")
0.624"
0.034" Minimum
0.013" (Mod)
Left Barrel
15.9mm (0.626")
0.626"
0.035" Minimum
0.020" (IM)


The Straight-hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend (thought to be originals) are crafted from figured walnut and feature a vacant white metal oval.
The forend carries an finely engraved steel tip.
The stock is finished with 1/8" horn butt plate, secured by engraved screws, and is cast-off for a right-handed shot.

Figured walnut

The 20 lines per inch chequering has been freshened to its original pattern.
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 1/2"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 7/16"
1 3/4"
2 3/8"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
1/8" (approximate)
3/8" (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;
Allport's leverwork patent no. 3518 of 1872;
Deeley & Edge forend fastener patent no. 1422 of 1873.