Anyway, the gun; what do y'all think?
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Hmmmm...
BEST quality Coggswell & Harrison London - made non- ejector back- action sidelock, 16 gauge, six pounds even with 29" barrels choked very lightly (near cylinder and SK 1 by today's standards; probably a "lady's gun" with its 14" stock as it is too ornate for a young person's. Despite the length it fits very well with the Connecticut Arms detachable leather pad I use with my old LC. It is a "dark" gun and my photos fail to do it justice; unlike some later boxlocks by the maker I have owned, with fine finishes but a dubious ejector system that eventually weakened and affected the trigger(s) it is a London Best in every way. As a matt er of fact it is less the maker (which affects fit and esthetics, and more practically price) but the time: it is a Seventies pattern and patent non- ejector back- action hammergun. Before Diggory Haddoke bestowed his imprimatur on them in his new book on hammer guns , John Besse, as always, said it best and first, speaking particularly of Daniel Riviera's Purdey,
but meaning a whole class of London guns:"That is the pinnacle of gun development; they don't get any better. They're completely hand made to the highest standards- you never even see a tool mark anywhere- but they are completely practical. With one of those you could wander around, shoot a pheasant or a duck or a hare; or even a fox. After that, after the Beasley Patent Purdey" [what everyone thinks of as THE Purdey- 1874 I think, though most London makers would build you an old fashioned gun at LEAST until the Great War] "all the innovation was just gimmicks to impress rich people, needless complications. Who needs ejectors or easy openers except for driven birds? RICH people's sport!" It's an echo of my statement in the Book o' Books (a new one is in the works!) that the Victorians spread the vices of driven shooting and respectability along with enclosures and industrial capitalism- but read Colonel Thornton for that, or at least wait until I can quote the last of the wild squires at length.
Anyway, the gun; what do y'all think?
Anyway, the gun; what do y'all think?
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10 comments:
I think it's gorgeous, and further reinforces my determination to eventually get myself a hammergun. Did this come from your local shop?
Steve, I'm gonna guess that this gun is potentially a less painful path into acquiring a London Best. It looks great. Don't lose sight of the old adage, "buy the gun, not the name". BTW, how does one come by a gun-of-the-month subscription to "Best Guns & Garden", the gun shop, not the magazine? Gil
I dont know.I went to Rons the other day, and said , kidding, "I dont suppose you have a clean back action 70's patent damascus London Best that I could afford back there?"
He said, "Yes-- I bought a 16 from a guy from Wales last week in Oklahoma. Let me find it.."
He hunted around a bit- the back of the store is a warren-- and came out with this one. I am examining it minutely, with the help of John, who is back from Alaska. As it is cheap AND I have unlimited credit there, I am tempted if it is sound...
Ejectors are overrated; who wants to hunt for empties? Beautiful gun...
Life's too short to miss out on an English hammer 16 G like that Steve- garb it, run , and be happy......
JohnnyUK
Great gun! How do you find these treasures?
I wonder if it is not chambered for 2 9/16" 16 gauge. Not an insupporable problem today, since you can buy the shells domestically.
It is just that- "American" rather than Brit 2 1/2. As I buy CASES of Brit ammo in #7 (not 7 1/2) it is no problem- have already shot it.
I am biased, but they are such beautiful guns. And the beauty derives and is inseparable from their function. That is especially satisfying.
Love the gorgeous wood, 16 bore, 29" Damascus barrels, high hammers (might de-blue them), 6 lbs.
Hope it is a keeper and that you make some good memories with it.
D
Tom, 'I get by with a little heLp from my friends1'
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