J Blanch & Son, 29 Gracechurch Street,
London
12 bore Back action Hammergun
no. 4884
Date of manufacture: pre-1887
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
This lovely hammergun made by one
of London's most respected gunmakers is in quite amazing condition
for its age. Not only are the internals in fine condition but
also the action still retains much of its original hardening colour
and the engraving is crisp and clear. Even those areas where the
colour has worn away, is still mirror bright and not corroded,
as is the case with most well handled guns of this age.
There are two unusual and very interesting features of this gun.
The first is the use of retaining screws at the lock tails which
is very unusual in a gun of this quality and the second is the
use of a locking bolt that is a variation on the 'Purdey Bolt'
theme, featuring a single bite into the rear lump. Although this
does not compromise the strength of the action, it does mean that
an alternative method of 'draw' is required, whereby the closing
barrels cam back the bolt until it can engage with the rear bite.
This is achieved by a downward extension of the rear lump that
picks up the bolt earlier than it would otherwise and comes to
lie flush with the belly of the action bar.
All in all this is a most attractive gun with its bold foliate
engraving and areas of original finish and with its fine barrel
dimensions and 'Purdey Thumb Lever' it would make an excellent
gun for 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:
Considerable original hardening colour;
Double triggers;
'Percussion' fences; Facetted, high level hammers;
Rebounding back action locks;
Single bite 'Purdey Bolt' operated by the 2nd patent Purdey Thumb Lever;
Modified Hollis forend lever catch.
Gun weight 7lb
Engraving style Bold Foliate Scroll,
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 lbs Rear
trigger 4 lbs
The Damascus barrels are 30" 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 type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.
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
|
Right Barrel |
18.7mm (0.736")
|
0.735"
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0.028" Minimum
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0.009" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
18.7mm (0.736")
|
0.737"
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0.027" Minimum
|
0.009" (IC)
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Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from highly
figured walnut. We believe that the stock and forend wood is the original.
The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot, features a
vacant white metal oval and engraved heel and toe plates, the heel
plate of unusual round design.
The 18 lines per inch chequering is to the
normal sidelock 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
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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 7/8"
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15"
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15"
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15 3/8"
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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 9/16"
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1 3/4"
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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:
'Purdey; Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867;
Hollis's forend catchpatent no 953 of 1873.