Alexander Blair, 28 Gordon Street, Glasgow
12 bore Bar action Hammergun
no. 1813
Year of production: 1884-1886

Click on these images for more detail.

Heritage Guns' Comment

Alexander Blair was only in business at this address for 2 years so, unusually for this little know gunmaker, we can date this gun quite accurately.
This gun represents a fine condition example of the elegant sporting hammerguns that were the vogue in the last quarter of the 19th Century. There are touches of original colour hardening still visible on the locks and action and this coupled with the sensitive restoration and 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 of traditional design and features:
Double triggers;
Rounded action bar;
Bar action, rebounding locks;
Low level hammers;
Sprung strikers; Percussion fences;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Hacket style, snap-on forend fastener.
Engraving style Border & Foliate Scroll.
Gun weight 6lb 14oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 1/2lbs Rear trigger 4lb
The rebrowned, fine Damascus barrels are 29 3/8" " 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.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.6mm
(0.732")
0.732"
0.027"
0.006" (Skeet)
Left Barrel
18.5mm
(0.728")
0.730"
0.022+"
(@ 8" from muzzle)
0.021" (Mod)

The Straight Hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut and feature a vacant white metal oval. There are possible antique repairs to the upper horns and they have been internally pinned for added strength.
The snap-on forend carries a engraved steel tip and the stock is finished with a ½" Ebonite butt plate secured by engraved screws.
The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot and there is one small inlet repair to the forend tip.
Highly Figured walnut

The 22 approx lines per inch chequering has been freshened to the 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 5/8"
14 3/4"
14 11/16"
15 3/16"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2 1/4"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
1/8" (approximate)
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;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Hackett's forend fastener patent no. 964 of 1878.