The old case was tattered. The canvas was fraying in spots, one strap was broken and the leather piping worn. The embossing on the lid caught my eye, though. At one time, someone thought enough of the contents of this package to display their initials on the top: "A. R. L." Experience has taught me to look inside packages such as this, for you never know what you will find.
Opening the case revealed a boxlock SxS fitted into a compartmentalized green baize interior. An old maker's label still clung to the inside of the lid. Some accessories and bits were visible. The contents appeared in much better shape than the case itself, and my interest was piqued.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sucker for British guns. It is not just the quality of materials and workmanship, it is the handling qualities that the English formula imbues that is the major attraction. Yet I have learned to be wary, for many examples have not suffered the ravages of time well.
The heart of any good double gun is the barrels, so out of the case they came for examination. The first surprise was the full length bore protectors. These oiled felt rods fill the bores from breech to muzzle and still fit tightly. I have seen such things in magazines before, but have never owned or even held a gun so equipped. The interest level climbed a notch. (The second surprise was the 3 piece wood and brass cleaning rod fitted into the case under the barrels!)
Peering down the bores provided solid proof that the protectors work - the tubes were mirror bright, with only one very small spot visible half way down the left barrel. I have examined many old SxS's and have rarely seen barrels in such pristine condition.
Examining the outside of the barrels showed that they were truly well struck. No file marks, no wavy surfaces, no bulges or dings. The barrel blacking is still deep, with some slight wear visible around the chambers. These barrels have been used, but certainly not abused. The balance point of the 30 inch barrel assembly was well to the rear, demonstrating that they are properly made, thin walled tubes. The smooth, concave rib ended with a simple brass bead.
Examining the rib, my eye caught the maker's inscription - I saw "Trulock" and "Harriss" and immediately thought that this gun was not English, rather Irish from the well known Dublin firm of Trulock & Harriss. But no! The full rib inscription read "H. Trulock Harriss, 4 Pickering Place, St James's Street, London, SW." Thus began the mystery.
Putting on my glasses I immediately flipped the barrels and examined the proof marks. Birmingham, and of the type used prior to 1925. London address or not, this gun was a Birmingham boxlock, proven for use with 1 1/8 oz. of shot in 2 1/2 inch chambers. I had in my hand a gun with an Irish name, a London address and Birmingham proof marks. The mystery deepened.
I turned my attention to the rest of the gun. The frame still possesses much of its original case colours. A ribbon on each side displays the H. Trulock Harriss name, surrounded by nicely cut scroll engraving. In fact, the engraving is very generous for a boxlock non-ejector with about 65% coverage.
As well as the usual Purdey lug the action employs a Greener crossbolt. The gun is equipped with an automatic safety, double triggers and a nice, long tang guard bow. There is also a silver oval on the stock, but no initials have been carved there. The stock has had an extension added, with chequered butt.
With the gun assembled, it becomes obvious that the dimensions are good for me when I throw it to my shoulder. Out comes the tape measure. The LOP has been extended out to 14 7/8 inches. Combined with drop of 1.55" / 2.38" and about 3/8th of an inch of cast, these are virtually the measurements I would have ordered were I buying the gun new!
The triggers are crisp, the firing pins not worn and they snap with authority. I can stand it no more, and after a brief game of "Let's Make A Deal" the gun comes home with me, and the research begins.
Research shows very little: Henry Trulock Harriss, 22 Bury Street, St. James, London 1909 to 1911. He was at 4, Pickering Place, St. James Street, from 1912 to 1916 trading as H. Trulock Harriss Ltd. reverting to just H. Trulock Harriss at the same address from 1917 to 1918. Nothing after that.
The inscription on the rib of this gun lacks the "Ltd." so at least now we know that the gun was made in 1917 or 18. A good start.
Another tidbit comes from Google, which finds an entry in a Christie's auction catalogue for an H. Trulock Harriss sidelock, serial number 21992.
The serial number on this boxlock is a 3 digit affair in the low 500's. It makes no sense, this gun has a low serial number and was made near the end of known production, yet another gun has a serial number near 22,000. Perhaps a different serial number system was used for boxlocks and sidelocks? The mystery deepens further.
The only other info that the search engines give is a reference in a collection of the papers of John Redmond (Irish politician). This indicates that in 1914 Redmond had paid Harriss the sum of £350 on an account for 3,600 rifles and bayonets and 50,000 rounds of ammunition.
I am unsure whether this man was a maker or simply a broker / retailer (I suspect the latter). The case label mentions private shooting grounds "for fitting, instruction and practice". It also devotes a lot of space to an animated wood pigeon decoy, called the "Tru-Iss" decoy, and quotes favourable reviews from "The Field" and "Shooting Times". All this would indicate a reasonably large working operation. So why is the name so obscure?
The mysteries are manifold. Who was Henry Trulock Harriss? Was he a relative of Joseph Harriss (of Trulock & Harriss) who moved to London and set up trade? Certainly the trade with John Redmond demonstrates an Irish connection of some kind.
On the other hand he may be a separate individual with no connection to Trulock & Harriss at all. After all, if you were connected to a well established and famous firm, wouldn't you use that fact in your marketing?
Who actually made the gun? Was there a firm in Birmingham with a contract to supply H. Trulock Harriss with shotguns? Did he deal directly with individual craftsmen for supply? Was there a third party broker? Two things I am sure of - one is that the gun was well made, a cut above the typical BLNE. The second is that the gun was not made by Webley & Scott.
Why did the firm disappear so suddenly at the end of WWI? They seemed to be in the business of selling rifles and bayonets in 1914, which should have been profitable.
Finally, who is "A. R. L." and how did he come to possess this gun?
I am asking that anyone who has any information regarding Henry Trulock Harriss, his guns, his business or his relatives to please contact me.
Sharptail
Opening the case revealed a boxlock SxS fitted into a compartmentalized green baize interior. An old maker's label still clung to the inside of the lid. Some accessories and bits were visible. The contents appeared in much better shape than the case itself, and my interest was piqued.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sucker for British guns. It is not just the quality of materials and workmanship, it is the handling qualities that the English formula imbues that is the major attraction. Yet I have learned to be wary, for many examples have not suffered the ravages of time well.
The heart of any good double gun is the barrels, so out of the case they came for examination. The first surprise was the full length bore protectors. These oiled felt rods fill the bores from breech to muzzle and still fit tightly. I have seen such things in magazines before, but have never owned or even held a gun so equipped. The interest level climbed a notch. (The second surprise was the 3 piece wood and brass cleaning rod fitted into the case under the barrels!)
Peering down the bores provided solid proof that the protectors work - the tubes were mirror bright, with only one very small spot visible half way down the left barrel. I have examined many old SxS's and have rarely seen barrels in such pristine condition.
Examining the outside of the barrels showed that they were truly well struck. No file marks, no wavy surfaces, no bulges or dings. The barrel blacking is still deep, with some slight wear visible around the chambers. These barrels have been used, but certainly not abused. The balance point of the 30 inch barrel assembly was well to the rear, demonstrating that they are properly made, thin walled tubes. The smooth, concave rib ended with a simple brass bead.
Examining the rib, my eye caught the maker's inscription - I saw "Trulock" and "Harriss" and immediately thought that this gun was not English, rather Irish from the well known Dublin firm of Trulock & Harriss. But no! The full rib inscription read "H. Trulock Harriss, 4 Pickering Place, St James's Street, London, SW." Thus began the mystery.
Putting on my glasses I immediately flipped the barrels and examined the proof marks. Birmingham, and of the type used prior to 1925. London address or not, this gun was a Birmingham boxlock, proven for use with 1 1/8 oz. of shot in 2 1/2 inch chambers. I had in my hand a gun with an Irish name, a London address and Birmingham proof marks. The mystery deepened.
I turned my attention to the rest of the gun. The frame still possesses much of its original case colours. A ribbon on each side displays the H. Trulock Harriss name, surrounded by nicely cut scroll engraving. In fact, the engraving is very generous for a boxlock non-ejector with about 65% coverage.
As well as the usual Purdey lug the action employs a Greener crossbolt. The gun is equipped with an automatic safety, double triggers and a nice, long tang guard bow. There is also a silver oval on the stock, but no initials have been carved there. The stock has had an extension added, with chequered butt.
With the gun assembled, it becomes obvious that the dimensions are good for me when I throw it to my shoulder. Out comes the tape measure. The LOP has been extended out to 14 7/8 inches. Combined with drop of 1.55" / 2.38" and about 3/8th of an inch of cast, these are virtually the measurements I would have ordered were I buying the gun new!
The triggers are crisp, the firing pins not worn and they snap with authority. I can stand it no more, and after a brief game of "Let's Make A Deal" the gun comes home with me, and the research begins.
Research shows very little: Henry Trulock Harriss, 22 Bury Street, St. James, London 1909 to 1911. He was at 4, Pickering Place, St. James Street, from 1912 to 1916 trading as H. Trulock Harriss Ltd. reverting to just H. Trulock Harriss at the same address from 1917 to 1918. Nothing after that.
The inscription on the rib of this gun lacks the "Ltd." so at least now we know that the gun was made in 1917 or 18. A good start.
Another tidbit comes from Google, which finds an entry in a Christie's auction catalogue for an H. Trulock Harriss sidelock, serial number 21992.
The serial number on this boxlock is a 3 digit affair in the low 500's. It makes no sense, this gun has a low serial number and was made near the end of known production, yet another gun has a serial number near 22,000. Perhaps a different serial number system was used for boxlocks and sidelocks? The mystery deepens further.
The only other info that the search engines give is a reference in a collection of the papers of John Redmond (Irish politician). This indicates that in 1914 Redmond had paid Harriss the sum of £350 on an account for 3,600 rifles and bayonets and 50,000 rounds of ammunition.
I am unsure whether this man was a maker or simply a broker / retailer (I suspect the latter). The case label mentions private shooting grounds "for fitting, instruction and practice". It also devotes a lot of space to an animated wood pigeon decoy, called the "Tru-Iss" decoy, and quotes favourable reviews from "The Field" and "Shooting Times". All this would indicate a reasonably large working operation. So why is the name so obscure?
The mysteries are manifold. Who was Henry Trulock Harriss? Was he a relative of Joseph Harriss (of Trulock & Harriss) who moved to London and set up trade? Certainly the trade with John Redmond demonstrates an Irish connection of some kind.
On the other hand he may be a separate individual with no connection to Trulock & Harriss at all. After all, if you were connected to a well established and famous firm, wouldn't you use that fact in your marketing?
Who actually made the gun? Was there a firm in Birmingham with a contract to supply H. Trulock Harriss with shotguns? Did he deal directly with individual craftsmen for supply? Was there a third party broker? Two things I am sure of - one is that the gun was well made, a cut above the typical BLNE. The second is that the gun was not made by Webley & Scott.
Why did the firm disappear so suddenly at the end of WWI? They seemed to be in the business of selling rifles and bayonets in 1914, which should have been profitable.
Finally, who is "A. R. L." and how did he come to possess this gun?
I am asking that anyone who has any information regarding Henry Trulock Harriss, his guns, his business or his relatives to please contact me.
Sharptail
