Stephen Grant & Sons, 67A St James's Street, London
.410 Back action Hammergun
no. 51700

Year of production: circa 1893

Note these photos were taken when the barrels were still 'in the white' before blacking.
Click on these images for more detail.

Heritage Guns' Comment

Although the locks are signed by the Maker, the top rib is engraved 'Shot & Examined by…' which confirms that this gun was bought in from the specialist trade, almost certainly Scott of Birmingham who were the premier suppliers of shotguns and rifles to the whole UK guntrade. The serial number can be found on the knuckle of the action bar and forend loop and is correct for Scott's numbering for 1893. What is noticeable is the quality of the action and lock: use of the Scott spindle as opposed to the cheaper Greener leverwork and sears pivoting on an integral axle rather than a screwed pin.
This very pretty little gun is a good example of the smallbore sporting hammerguns often purchased for children in the last quarter of the 19th Century. However, it has an unusually long stock for a gun of this gauge and, coupled with its 28" length barrels, 2 ½" nitro proof and sensitive restoration, it represent a pretty and highly 'shootable' gun for either game or clays.
Update April 2018:
A pinhole in the top rib was discovered after the original renovation was completed so the top rib has been replaced, engraved and re-blacked.

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:
Much original hardening colour in protected areas;
Finely chiselled percussion fences;
Double triggers;
Back action locks with rebounding, low level hammers;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a Scott Spindle;
Snap-on 'Sugar Tongs' forend catch.
The breech can be opened with the RH hammer at full cock.
There are indications that the LH hammer has been repaired as some point in the past.
Gun weight 4lb 13oz Engraving style Fine foliate scroll.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3lbs Rear trigger 4lb
The original steel barrels are 28" in length, chambered for 2 ½ " (65mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the smooth, concave, game type.
Birmingham reproof for 65mm nitro powder cartridges in 2017.
Please note: due to the great difficulty in measuring 410 barrels,
the dimensions below (other than proof size) are approximate.


Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
10.3mm (0.405")
0.408"
0.021"
0.002-4" (IC)
Left Barrel
10.3mm (0.405")
0.404"
0.026"
0.004"+ (IC)


The probable replacement Prince of Wales grip Stock and original Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut.
The snap-on forend features an engraved steel tip and a small inlet repair to its edge. The stock carries a vacant white metal oval and is finished with a 5/8" ebonite butt plate, with thin leather spacer, secured with engraved screws. The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot.

Well Figured walnut

The 20 (approx) lines per inch chequering has been refreshed to a normal back-lock 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 1/2"
14 11/16"
14 3/4"
15 1/4"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 7/16"
1 5/8"
2 1/8"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
Negligible
1/16" (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.