Stephen Grant, 67a St James's Street,
London
20 bore Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 5713, No 2 of pair
Date of manufacture: 1887
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
This is a superb example of a small
gauge, Best London sidelock ejector from this highly respected
gunmaker, made in the heyday of the British gun trade. This gun
was probably made originally as a non-ejector, converted in the
1890's or early 20th century, very probably in Grant's own workshops.
The system used is known as the Southgate and because of its simple
reliability, it has been adopted as the default ejector system
by most gunmakers since the patent expired in 1904. We suspect
that the stock is not the original but the replacement is not
only well figured but also properly inlet and is of high quality.
The 26 1/2" damascus barrels have been proofed for 2 3/4"
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.
The gun is presented in its original, relined Oak & Leather
case with some accessories.
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
bar action sidelock design and features:
Side lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt';
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Bar action locks incorporating John Robertson style interceptor sears;
'Southgate' ejectors tripped by Roger's cocking levers
and Anson's push rod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb
Engraving style Best fine foliate scroll. Finely carved action
bar and 'fluted' fences.
Top of action engraved 'PATENT'.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ¼
lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼ lbs
The damascus barrels are 26 ½ " 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.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.
Approximate barrel measurements
at date of publication:
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Nominal Proof Size
|
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
|
Minimum Wall Thickness
|
Choke Constriction
|
Right Barrel |
16.1mm (0.634")
|
0.631"
|
0.024" Minimum
|
0.008" (IC)
|
Left Barrel |
16.1mm (0.634")
|
0.633"
|
0.026" Minimum
|
0.012" (Mod)
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The probable replacement Straight Hand Stock and original Splinter
Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. The stock is lightly
cast off for a right-handed shot and features well defined drop points,
a vacant white metal oval and 1" leather covered recoil pad.
The forend features finely engraved diamond and steel tip.
The 22 approx. 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
|
Pull to Centre
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Pull to Toe
|
14 1/2"
|
14 5/8"
|
14 1/2"
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14 7/8"
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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 7/16"
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1 5/8"
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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:
Roger's cocking levers patent no 397 of 1882,
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Southgate' ejectors patent no. 12314 of 1889,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.