Stephen Grant, 67A St James's Street, London
12 bore Back Action Hammergun
No. 4419   No.1 of Pair
Date of manufacture: 1878

   

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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. Built as no. 1 of a pair, it is in really lovely condition with only very 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. We are not sure if this is the original stock or a vintage replacement by a highly skilled stocker but either way, it is a stunning piece of walnut, complete with a short walnut extension and original heel & toe plates. One of 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.  

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

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;
Anson, pushrod snap forend fastener.
The gun balances just behind the hinge pin.   
Gun Weight 6lb 12oz.   
Engraving Style Best foliate scroll. No. ‘1’ is engraved on top rib, trigger guard and heel plate.
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 439.  
Breech face stamped with E C Hodges’ trade mark.
Barrels marked ‘ECH’.
Trigger Pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3lbs Rear trigger 4lbs
The Rebrowned Damascus Steel 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 smooth, concave game type.
Birmingham Reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2020.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.7mm (0.736")
0.739"
0.024"
0.005" (Skeet)
Recessed
Left Barrel
18.7mm (0.736")
0.736"
0.023"
0.005" (Skeet)
Recessed

Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut. The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot and features a vacant white metal oval, a ¼ ” wood extension and original heel & toe plates, secured with engraved screws.
The forend has a finely engraved steel tip and two inlet repairs to its edge.
Highly Figured Stock

The approximately 20 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 3/4"
15 1/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 7/16"
1 5/8"
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.