Stephen Grant, 67a St James's Street,
London
12 bore Back Action Hammergun
No. 3271, No 1 of pair
Date of manufacture: 1872
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Heritage
Guns' Comment
This is a superb example of a Best
London sidelever hammergun from this highly respected gunmaker,
made when hammerguns were heading for their zenith in terms of
design and aesthetics. This gun exhibits two interesting transitional
features rarely seen in later guns of this type. The first are
the very obvious large hammers that protrude into the line of
site even when cocked. Many game shots of the time preferred this
design feature as they felt that it aided them in perceiving forward
allowance, while others favoured the 'low, out of sight when cocked'
feature of later guns. The second feature is less obvious and
is the Hodges bolting patent which uses two free floating bolts
to engage with the side projections on the rear lump as well a
single Purdey-like bite. However, even here the patent specification
is partially ignored, as the single Purdey bite should be in the
front lump not the rear. This can be considered as the success
of practicality over specification as a rear bite is mechanically
far superior. The gun was undoubtedly actioned by EC Hodges himself
as shown by the trademark stampings on breech face and action
flats, he being the premier actioner of early centre fire breechloaders
to the London trade.
It is significant to note that although this gun was bought as
one of a pair of primarily sporting guns, the overall weight and
broad flat top rib give the gun a very 'Live Pigeon' feel. The
30" barrels have been TIG sleeved and reproofed for 2 ¾"
nitro cartridges and this all adds up to a strong gun that is
a joy to shoot and should give many years of service on game or
clays with normal maintenance.
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
back action sidelock design and features:
Side lever operating a Hodge patent bolt which engages the rear lump
by way of lateral projections and single bite;
Long top strap;
Double triggers;
Grant's extractor mechanism;
Rebounding back action locks with high level Dolphin hammers;
Finely chiselled 'Percussion' fences
and Anson forend catch.
Gun weight 7lb 3oz
Engraving style Best foliate scroll. 'S. GRANT'S PATENT' engraved
under the action bar 'EC HODGES PATENT 69' stamped on breech face. '1'
is engraved on forend, trigger guard and top rib. EC Hodges trade mark
stamped on both action flats. 'GRANT & HODGES PATENT 69' is formed
on a white metal plaque inlaid to action bridge.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½
lbs Rear trigger 4 ½ lbs
The TIG sleeved steel to damascus barrels are 30" in length,
chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'through'
lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the broad, flat 'Live Pigeon' type.
Birmingham proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2017.
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
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Right Barrel |
18.4mm (0.724")
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0.726"
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0.032"
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0.012" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
18.3mm (0.720")
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0.724"
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0.032"
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0.015" (Mod)
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The Replacement Straight Hand Stock and Splinter
Forend are crafted from lightly figured walnut. The stock is cast
off for a right-handed shot and features a white metal oval engraved
with stylised eagle and finely engraved (original) heel and toe plates.
The forend has a finely engraved steel tip.
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Replacement
Figured Walnut Stock & Forend
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The fine 22 lines per inch chequering is freshened
to normal semi-borderless, 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 1/2"
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14 7/8"
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14 3/4"
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15"
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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 5/8"
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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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1/8" approx.
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1/4" approx.
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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;
James Purdey's patent no. 1104 of 1863;
EC Hodges patent no. 251 of 1871;
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.