J B Warrilow, Chippenham, England
12 bore Transitional Hammergun,
Top rib engraved:
'New Patent Safety Self Indicating Semi Hammerless Universal Gun'
no. 1613
Approximate date of manufacture: 1875-1887

Click on these images for more detail.

Heritage Guns Comment This gun is a very rare, fabulously finished and specified example of a transitional hammergun, manufactured before 1887 to allay the concerns of the hammergun fraternity whilst incorporating many of the benefits of hammerless guns. The action is profusely covered with best bold-foliate scroll and individual flowers form the centres of many of the scrolls.The gun features several unusual features such as locks cocked by the fall of the barrels, assisted opening of the gun when unfired, a top tang safety slide and interceptor sears and all these coupled with our sensitive restoration makes it a very pretty and 'shootable' gun for either game or clays. WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

The Action is of classic back action barlock design and features:
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide,
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle',
Three point bolting including top extension,
Interceptor sears,
'Anson' forend catch
Gun Weight 6lb14oz
Engraving Style Best bold foliate with individual flowers blooms.
As is our custom, Trigger Pulls have been adjusted for 'feel' rather that to any particular pull weight but for the record they measure approximately: Front trigger 4 1/2lbs Rear trigger 5 lbs

The original Damascus Barrels are 30" in length, chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs. Top rib is of the flat, file cut type.
London re-proof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2006.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut. The stock is slightly cast off for a right-handed shot and is finished with an unusual, and very possible original, molded 'Bakerlite' butt plate exhibiting a mounted stag's head surmounted by a bearded hunter, surrounded by oak branches.

The 20 lines per inch chequering is an unusual partly un-bordered, 'fleur-de-lys' design with well defined drop points.
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 (including pad) at date of publication:

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:

'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,
Bentley's patent no. 17037 of 1884,
Bentley & Baker's patent no. 5292 of 1883,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.