Stephen Grant, 67a St James's Street, London
20 bore Bar Action, Sidelock Ejector
No. 5713, No 2 of pair

Date of manufacture: 1887


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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.

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:

 
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)


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.

Well figured walnut

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
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 1/2"
14 5/8"
14 1/2"
14 7/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 7/16"
1 5/8"
2 1/4"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
Negligible
1/8" (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:
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.