Stephen Grant, 67A St James's
Street, London
12 bore Back Action Hammergun
No. 3908
Date of manufacture: 1875
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
This is a superb example of a sidelever hammergun from this highly
respected gunmaker, a style and design that became synonymous with
Stephen Grant. It was built as no. 1 of a pair for a ‘John
Hargreaves Esq Junr’ but appears to have been renumbered as a no.
3 at some later date and we have no information as to what gun
became no. 1. However, it is in really lovely condition with only
slight loss of definition in the engraving under the bar. The
bolting is of Edwin Hodges’ design, patented in 1871, and provides
three bites for the Purdey-like bolt to engage with: one in the
rear lump and a further projection on either side forming the
other two. It is thought to have been simply an attempt to evade
the Purdey Bolt patent but it does provide a very firm and safe
lock-up. It is also fitted, apparently as original, with the
commonly seen ‘grip safety’ of the period. The vintage restock was
carried out beautifully by a highly skilled stocker and the
delicately figured walnut has enough figure to be attractive but
is also straight grained enough to be very strong and stable. The
most delightful aspect of this gun are its damascus barrels which
have survived the effects of black powder and corrosive primers to
be in remarkably good shape today. And they have a little choke,
introduced over the years, which make the gun that more useable
with modern ammunition. The 30" barrels have been 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.
Presented in a relined leather and brass case with some
accessories, including powder and shot measures, and a
reproduction label.
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:
Finely
chiselled percussion fences;
High level ‘Hare’s Ears’ hammers;
Best Foliate Scroll engraving;
Sidelever operating a 3 bite bolt;
Double triggers;
Stanton rebounding back action locks;
Grip
safety; Long top strap;
Cross bolt or wedge forend fastener.
Gun Weight 7lb
Engraving Style Best foliate scroll. No. ‘3’ is engraved on top
rib and grip safety but forend iron and internally the gun is marked
‘1’. All major parts numbered correctly.
Action bar engraved
‘STEPHEN GRANT’S PATENT’.
Top of action engraved ‘PATENT’ in an
oval.
Action flats stamped ‘GRANT & HODGES PATENT’ and the use
number 469.
Breech face stamped with E C Hodges’ trade mark.
Trigger Pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs Rear
trigger 4 lbs
The Rebrowned Damascus Steel Barrels are 30" in
length, chambered for 2 3/4" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed
dovetail construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top Rib
is of the smooth, concave game type.
London Reproof for 70mm
nitro powder cartridges in 2003.
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")
|
0.731"
|
0.026"
|
0.006" (Skeet)
|
Left Barrel |
18.6mm (0.732")
|
0.736"
|
0.025"
|
0.008" (IC)
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Replacement Straight Hand Stock and Original Splinter Forend
are crafted from delicately figured walnut. The stock is lightly
cast off for a right-handed shot and features a vacant white metal
oval and a 1 ½” horn extension.
The forend has a finely engraved
steel tip and two inlet repairs to its edge.
The approximately 22 lines per inch chequering is freshened
to normal backaction 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
|
Pull to Bump
|
Pull to Centre
|
Pull to Toe
|
14 5/8"
|
14 3/4"
|
14 7/8"
|
15 1/2"
|
Drop at Comb
|
Drop at Face
|
Drop at Heel
|
1 9/16"
|
1 3/4"
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2 3/16"
|
Cast at Comb
|
Cast at Heel
|
Negligible
|
1/8" approx.
|
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;
Hodges’ bolting
patent no. 251 of 1871.