Let's see some pic's of your SxS's & O/U's
- Thread starter Win/64
- Start date
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
So the rumors are true. Paul Bunyan favored the Prince of Wales grip.
John, are you sure that's not a harpoon gun?
Seriously though, that gun is in gorgeous condition. What a behemoth.
What maker is the side lever 10 ga.?
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Ashcroft, just spectacular!
The side lever 10 is marked W G Rawbone Toronto where the Greener double 4 bore is marked W G Rawbone Capetown which by the records he had set up in both place plus Birmham at one time. I believe the side lever is also a Greener made gun
The D Wales is a marked gun and i think i have enough parts to load up some 4 gauge shell, the paper shells go in and from what i can measure that is what the chamber is. Should be interesting to fire it
The D Wales is a marked gun and i think i have enough parts to load up some 4 gauge shell, the paper shells go in and from what i can measure that is what the chamber is. Should be interesting to fire it
Straightshooter, the Westley Richards weighs 6 lb 10 oz with the 28" barrels and balances exactly on the centre of the hinge pin and I use this set up the most, primarily because of this balance and the versatility. With the 30" barrels ( 2 1/2" IC and Full) the weight is 6 lb 12 1/2 oz, balances1/2" forward of the centre of the hinge pin.
They still make about 20-30 per year, they are all individually handmade, delivery time from confirmed order is about two years and they cost more than most new cars. Their website is worth a look. Or two.
Well, no one can match Ashcroft’s detachable locks, but here’s to continuing this wonderful thread.
I present a Parker, but not the one you’re thinking of.
Two of the most highly regarded points of reference in British gunmaking are name and address. While it is very true that an obscure maker operating in a distant town could, and did, produce guns of the highest order when commissioned to, most of the top-tier makers in mid-Victorian Britain, with names known by all the keen sportsmen of the day, had London addresses. While the name Purdey is almost synonymous with the finest guns today, in the 1860s James Purdey was just one of several London makers with equally well-earned reputations, along with James Woodward, Thomas Boss, Harris Holland, John Blanch, Edward Reilly, Joseph Lang and others, names that are still recognized today.
At the very beginning of the pinfire era in the 1850s, simply offering high-quality breech-loading guns placed gunmakers in the fore-front of their field. After some time this distinction would have lost its novelty, and other means were needed to remain competitive. Inventing and building proprietary patents attracted the attention of sportsmen and raised the estimation of the maker’s wares above others, at least until something better came along. A long and storied history would also be helpful in terms of reputation, and a prestigious London address would provide access to well-heeled patrons. Being able to claim the custom of important persons was one of the most powerful tools in advertising, better still if there was a royal connection.
One would think that a firm encompassing all of these traits would be amongst the best known today, yet it is surprising how little is known, or has been written, about Parker, Field & Sons, and even less on their sporting guns. Surviving pieces show off the high quality of their flint and percussion pistols and sporting guns, but of their pinfire game guns very little is known.
The origins of the business started with John Field, who had been a goldsmith, sword cutler and gun maker at 233 High Holborn from 1783 to 1791. He traded under his own name and also as Field & Co and Field & Clarke. When John Field died in 1791, William Parker went into partnership with his widow, and they traded as Field & Parker. John Field Junior worked for the firm, but not as a partner. In 1793, William Parker bought John Field's widow's share of the partnership. William Parker became gun maker to Prince Edward, then to King William IV, and the Duke of Kent. In 1841 William Parker died, and John Field Junior and his sons started trading as Parker, Field & Sons. In 1850 John Field Junior died and the sons, John William Parker Field and William Shakespeare Field took over the business. JWP Field was was an accomplished rifle shooter, and he was Instructor to the Honourable Artillery Company from 1866 to 1879 and Captain of the English Twenty shooting team (Britain's top shooting club, still in operation). At some point Parker, Field & Sons received the greatest accolade, becoming gunmaker to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, a recognition the firm made good use of in their labels and advertisements. William Shakespeare Field died on 17 August 1875, and John William Parker Field continued running the firm until his death in 1879. The firm ceased business in 1886, after just over 100 years in the trade. As to the address, High Holborn street was central and very well located; Charles Dickens lived on High Holborn for a while, as did William Morris, the influential designer and promoter of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Parker, Field & Sons is probably best known for its contracts to supply arms to the Honourable East India Company, for “North West” trade guns supplied to the Hudson’s Bay and North West Companies and used by native hunters in the North American fur trade, and for military Enfield muskets supplied to both sides in the American Civil War. The firm also provided police forces with pistols, truncheons, tipstaffs, cutlasses, handcuffs, wrist shackles and leg irons, and “all articles used by police.” Parker, Field & Sons exhibited their guns and assorted wares at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, where Casimir Lefaucheux first demonstrated his pinfire invention to the British public – perhaps they admired each others’ work.
At least three types of pinfire game guns are known to have been made by Parker, Field & Sons: the Lang-type forward-underlever with a single bite and a rising stud for assisted opening, as per the very earliest British pinfires dating from the mid-1850s to around 1860; a similar single-bite action but with a rear-facing underlever (or lever-over-guard); and an elegant bar-in-wood design incorporating JWP Field’s patent No. 3485 of December 1862 for a partial snap-action fastener.
It is the latter I’d like to focus on, because it is an unusually beautiful gun, amongst the first to exhibit the bar-in-wood construction in an attempt to hide the hinge, or at least minimize the visual differences between muzzle-loaders and the early breech-loaders. It is a 12-bore, and gun number 10567 was probably made some time around 1865. The top rib is signed “Parker Field & Sons Makers to her Majesty 233 Holborn London” in script and “Field’s Patent” within a decorative scroll. The same “Field’s Patent” marking is present on the sculpted underlever. The 30” damascus barrels have London proofs and bear the Field stamp and the barrel maker’s mark R.W., likely Robert Wall of 9 Little Compton St., Soho (1864-65). The single-bite partial snap-action rotary underlever action is John William Parker Field’s patent No. 3485 of December 1862, and the slender bar action locks are signed “Parker Field & Sons”. The rounded hammers have dolphin-headed noses, and the thin percussion fences are decorated with with acanthus spray engraving. The figured stock has drop points, a feature not commonly found at the time. The foliate scroll engraving is typical, and the vacant monogram escutcheon on the top wrist is gold, and not the usual silver. The guns weighs a tidy 6 lb 15 oz., and the bores are still mirror-bright. Wile the gun still has its original leather-covered case, it is in rather poor condition and the label is darkly stained.
No Parker, Field & Sons records survive, so it is impossible to accurately date the gun or know who the gun was made for. Still, from known serial numbers, the patent date, and the barrel maker’s mark, a pretty good guess can be made. From surviving guns, it seems that Parker, Field & Sons were still making percussion guns and even flint locks around this time, confirming that a maker will make anything the client is willing to pay for!
Next up will be an offering from another gunmaker operating on High Holborn street...
I present a Parker, but not the one you’re thinking of.
Two of the most highly regarded points of reference in British gunmaking are name and address. While it is very true that an obscure maker operating in a distant town could, and did, produce guns of the highest order when commissioned to, most of the top-tier makers in mid-Victorian Britain, with names known by all the keen sportsmen of the day, had London addresses. While the name Purdey is almost synonymous with the finest guns today, in the 1860s James Purdey was just one of several London makers with equally well-earned reputations, along with James Woodward, Thomas Boss, Harris Holland, John Blanch, Edward Reilly, Joseph Lang and others, names that are still recognized today.
At the very beginning of the pinfire era in the 1850s, simply offering high-quality breech-loading guns placed gunmakers in the fore-front of their field. After some time this distinction would have lost its novelty, and other means were needed to remain competitive. Inventing and building proprietary patents attracted the attention of sportsmen and raised the estimation of the maker’s wares above others, at least until something better came along. A long and storied history would also be helpful in terms of reputation, and a prestigious London address would provide access to well-heeled patrons. Being able to claim the custom of important persons was one of the most powerful tools in advertising, better still if there was a royal connection.
One would think that a firm encompassing all of these traits would be amongst the best known today, yet it is surprising how little is known, or has been written, about Parker, Field & Sons, and even less on their sporting guns. Surviving pieces show off the high quality of their flint and percussion pistols and sporting guns, but of their pinfire game guns very little is known.
The origins of the business started with John Field, who had been a goldsmith, sword cutler and gun maker at 233 High Holborn from 1783 to 1791. He traded under his own name and also as Field & Co and Field & Clarke. When John Field died in 1791, William Parker went into partnership with his widow, and they traded as Field & Parker. John Field Junior worked for the firm, but not as a partner. In 1793, William Parker bought John Field's widow's share of the partnership. William Parker became gun maker to Prince Edward, then to King William IV, and the Duke of Kent. In 1841 William Parker died, and John Field Junior and his sons started trading as Parker, Field & Sons. In 1850 John Field Junior died and the sons, John William Parker Field and William Shakespeare Field took over the business. JWP Field was was an accomplished rifle shooter, and he was Instructor to the Honourable Artillery Company from 1866 to 1879 and Captain of the English Twenty shooting team (Britain's top shooting club, still in operation). At some point Parker, Field & Sons received the greatest accolade, becoming gunmaker to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, a recognition the firm made good use of in their labels and advertisements. William Shakespeare Field died on 17 August 1875, and John William Parker Field continued running the firm until his death in 1879. The firm ceased business in 1886, after just over 100 years in the trade. As to the address, High Holborn street was central and very well located; Charles Dickens lived on High Holborn for a while, as did William Morris, the influential designer and promoter of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Parker, Field & Sons is probably best known for its contracts to supply arms to the Honourable East India Company, for “North West” trade guns supplied to the Hudson’s Bay and North West Companies and used by native hunters in the North American fur trade, and for military Enfield muskets supplied to both sides in the American Civil War. The firm also provided police forces with pistols, truncheons, tipstaffs, cutlasses, handcuffs, wrist shackles and leg irons, and “all articles used by police.” Parker, Field & Sons exhibited their guns and assorted wares at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, where Casimir Lefaucheux first demonstrated his pinfire invention to the British public – perhaps they admired each others’ work.
At least three types of pinfire game guns are known to have been made by Parker, Field & Sons: the Lang-type forward-underlever with a single bite and a rising stud for assisted opening, as per the very earliest British pinfires dating from the mid-1850s to around 1860; a similar single-bite action but with a rear-facing underlever (or lever-over-guard); and an elegant bar-in-wood design incorporating JWP Field’s patent No. 3485 of December 1862 for a partial snap-action fastener.
It is the latter I’d like to focus on, because it is an unusually beautiful gun, amongst the first to exhibit the bar-in-wood construction in an attempt to hide the hinge, or at least minimize the visual differences between muzzle-loaders and the early breech-loaders. It is a 12-bore, and gun number 10567 was probably made some time around 1865. The top rib is signed “Parker Field & Sons Makers to her Majesty 233 Holborn London” in script and “Field’s Patent” within a decorative scroll. The same “Field’s Patent” marking is present on the sculpted underlever. The 30” damascus barrels have London proofs and bear the Field stamp and the barrel maker’s mark R.W., likely Robert Wall of 9 Little Compton St., Soho (1864-65). The single-bite partial snap-action rotary underlever action is John William Parker Field’s patent No. 3485 of December 1862, and the slender bar action locks are signed “Parker Field & Sons”. The rounded hammers have dolphin-headed noses, and the thin percussion fences are decorated with with acanthus spray engraving. The figured stock has drop points, a feature not commonly found at the time. The foliate scroll engraving is typical, and the vacant monogram escutcheon on the top wrist is gold, and not the usual silver. The guns weighs a tidy 6 lb 15 oz., and the bores are still mirror-bright. Wile the gun still has its original leather-covered case, it is in rather poor condition and the label is darkly stained.
No Parker, Field & Sons records survive, so it is impossible to accurately date the gun or know who the gun was made for. Still, from known serial numbers, the patent date, and the barrel maker’s mark, a pretty good guess can be made. From surviving guns, it seems that Parker, Field & Sons were still making percussion guns and even flint locks around this time, confirming that a maker will make anything the client is willing to pay for!
Next up will be an offering from another gunmaker operating on High Holborn street...
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I'm pleased that my Westley Richards is so well appreciated, one of these detachable lock guns was my goal for years and there are many variations but when I found this gun I knew that it was the right one. I had the stock modified to fit me and it's a perfect natural shooter for me now. I shoot a little informal trap with it, sporting clays when I get a chance and hunt with it of course. Friends that have shot it have shot it well, it's that kind of gun.
It seems strange but it's approching 100 years old and still looks modern. There is no sign of refinishing over the years, just careful use and no neglect or abuse. Perfect.
It seems strange but it's approching 100 years old and still looks modern. There is no sign of refinishing over the years, just careful use and no neglect or abuse. Perfect.
Well, I never expected to see a Parker, Field and Son! I had one of these patent guns, only a centre fire, not pinfire and so with different hammers. Condition of mine was at least as nice as yours and although I never did shoot it I regretted that oversight later. It remains the only one I have ever seen and I sold it a few years ago to a friend of mine who collects different patented actions and pestered me until I weakened. These guns are of the very highest workmanship and scarce beyond belief. WOW!
I had meant to add the proof and barrel marks for the Parker, Field & Sons gun... Books rarely include such details. The marks are few compared with Edwardian and later guns, but any information is better than none!
Same street, different Maker
The early 1860s was a period of great invention in the breech-loading world, with makers trying to come up with the safest, easiest, and most practical barrel fastening system. A gunmaker with a viable invention could obtain a patent and promote their design in their own guns, and if really successful, could sell the actions to other gunmakers and be paid a royalty fee for guns built with them. A gunmaker might be chosen for their particular quality and house style, while including the latest technological advancements from others. Thus a Purdey gun might be built with an imported Belgian Bastin Brothers action, or a Boss & Co. gun will have an action made by Edwin Hodges, hired as an outworker. In both cases the result is a best-quality gun retailed by a respected firm, but the parts were sourced as required. It was an age whereby a gunmaker would accommodate any request, for a price.
John Blissett was a London gunmaker and retailer, operating at 322 High Holborn street, London, not very far from Parker, Field & Sons at number 233. Blissett built guns, but was also a repository – selling second-hand guns of other makers. Not everyone had the money for a bespoke gun, and with the EE as a modern day example, the buying and selling of guns has always been part of the shooting pastime. The reasons we buy and sell guns today is probably no different from back then.
John Blissett started his business in 1833 with his brother Thomas, at number 74. By 1835 John Blissett was operating on his own, from 321-322 High Holborn. He obtained a few patents for minor inventions, and in 1866 the firm became John Blissett and Son. John Blissett died in 1872, and the business ceased altogether in 1883.
The following Blissett 12-bore, number 4097, is interesting because the action is a Joseph Vernon Needham patent rotating bolt single-bite snap action, with self-half-cocking. The elegant side-lever releases the barrels and raises the hammers to half-####. With the typical Jones underlever the hammers have to be pulled back manually before the lever can be swung and the gun opened. With the Needham action the same can be done in one natural motion, and the gun can be snapped shut. With the new and growing sport of driven bird shoots, a fast-acting gun was a decided advantage. The Needham action was very popular, and appeared on the guns of many makers.
JV Needham of Birmingham was an early promoter and builder of needle-fire guns, an idea which competed with the pinfire, and was never terribly popular. Needham would go on to great fame with his 1874 patent for a barrel-cocking hammerless gun with integrated ejectors, an idea Alfred Lancaster, Charles Lancaster, Greener and Churchill all used in their guns.
The Blissett gun is another bar-in-wood design, to my eyes the most elegant pattern for a breech-loading gun. Wood predominates which makes for a beautiful gun, but the lack of metal is a nightmare for strength and lasting wear, and successful bar-in-wood guns are engineering feats. The Needham action is further peculiar in that the hinge pin is part of the mechanism for disassembling the gun. The hinge pin is pushed out with a fingertip, and it remains captive. The barrels and still-attached fore-end can be then removed. While it seems counter-intuitive to have a slender hinge pin, the action must have been strong, judging from its popularity. The downward-turning lever is on the right side, and on the left can be seen a small cam which lifts the hammers when the lever is depressed. The gun, now well worn, is beautifully engraved with foliate scroll, and retrievers on the lock plates and trigger guard bow. The bar locks are signed “John Blissett London” and the top rib signed “John Blissett, 322 High Holborn, London”.
Blissett stressed price in his advertising, and Blissett guns I’ve seen are well-made and of moderate quality – not high-end, but not lowest-quality either. His clientele must have been varied, because the Needham gun would likely have been one of his most expensive offerings. The action bears a Needham silver poinçon and patent use number 171, which indicates it is the 171st action Needham built or authorized. Considering its popularity, this helps date the gun to around 1863, fairly early in terms of Needham actions. The gun weighs a svelte 6 lb 11 oz, and the barrels still have mirror bores.
The early 1860s was a period of great invention in the breech-loading world, with makers trying to come up with the safest, easiest, and most practical barrel fastening system. A gunmaker with a viable invention could obtain a patent and promote their design in their own guns, and if really successful, could sell the actions to other gunmakers and be paid a royalty fee for guns built with them. A gunmaker might be chosen for their particular quality and house style, while including the latest technological advancements from others. Thus a Purdey gun might be built with an imported Belgian Bastin Brothers action, or a Boss & Co. gun will have an action made by Edwin Hodges, hired as an outworker. In both cases the result is a best-quality gun retailed by a respected firm, but the parts were sourced as required. It was an age whereby a gunmaker would accommodate any request, for a price.
John Blissett was a London gunmaker and retailer, operating at 322 High Holborn street, London, not very far from Parker, Field & Sons at number 233. Blissett built guns, but was also a repository – selling second-hand guns of other makers. Not everyone had the money for a bespoke gun, and with the EE as a modern day example, the buying and selling of guns has always been part of the shooting pastime. The reasons we buy and sell guns today is probably no different from back then.
John Blissett started his business in 1833 with his brother Thomas, at number 74. By 1835 John Blissett was operating on his own, from 321-322 High Holborn. He obtained a few patents for minor inventions, and in 1866 the firm became John Blissett and Son. John Blissett died in 1872, and the business ceased altogether in 1883.
The following Blissett 12-bore, number 4097, is interesting because the action is a Joseph Vernon Needham patent rotating bolt single-bite snap action, with self-half-cocking. The elegant side-lever releases the barrels and raises the hammers to half-####. With the typical Jones underlever the hammers have to be pulled back manually before the lever can be swung and the gun opened. With the Needham action the same can be done in one natural motion, and the gun can be snapped shut. With the new and growing sport of driven bird shoots, a fast-acting gun was a decided advantage. The Needham action was very popular, and appeared on the guns of many makers.
JV Needham of Birmingham was an early promoter and builder of needle-fire guns, an idea which competed with the pinfire, and was never terribly popular. Needham would go on to great fame with his 1874 patent for a barrel-cocking hammerless gun with integrated ejectors, an idea Alfred Lancaster, Charles Lancaster, Greener and Churchill all used in their guns.
The Blissett gun is another bar-in-wood design, to my eyes the most elegant pattern for a breech-loading gun. Wood predominates which makes for a beautiful gun, but the lack of metal is a nightmare for strength and lasting wear, and successful bar-in-wood guns are engineering feats. The Needham action is further peculiar in that the hinge pin is part of the mechanism for disassembling the gun. The hinge pin is pushed out with a fingertip, and it remains captive. The barrels and still-attached fore-end can be then removed. While it seems counter-intuitive to have a slender hinge pin, the action must have been strong, judging from its popularity. The downward-turning lever is on the right side, and on the left can be seen a small cam which lifts the hammers when the lever is depressed. The gun, now well worn, is beautifully engraved with foliate scroll, and retrievers on the lock plates and trigger guard bow. The bar locks are signed “John Blissett London” and the top rib signed “John Blissett, 322 High Holborn, London”.
Blissett stressed price in his advertising, and Blissett guns I’ve seen are well-made and of moderate quality – not high-end, but not lowest-quality either. His clientele must have been varied, because the Needham gun would likely have been one of his most expensive offerings. The action bears a Needham silver poinçon and patent use number 171, which indicates it is the 171st action Needham built or authorized. Considering its popularity, this helps date the gun to around 1863, fairly early in terms of Needham actions. The gun weighs a svelte 6 lb 11 oz, and the barrels still have mirror bores.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Lovely!
Amazing coincidence, I had one of these as well, only a centre fire converted from pinfire, and made by ? Robinson, a scottish maker. I sold this years agoo to the same fellow that bought my Parker Field. Beautiful gun.
Another day, another gun. This one will look familiar to some on here as I had it listed on CGN last summer. Lots of interest but I still have it. Another highest grade best gun, this time by a famous riflemaker, George Gibbs of Bristol. Made approximately late 1880's on their own Gibbs and Pitt patent # 284 of 1873, second version. It's a 12 gauge with 30" barrels, 2 5/8" chambers and perfect bores well in original proof, having only had a .005" polish since new. This action was used extensively in the 1880's and 1890's by many makers under licence from Gibbs or being partly or completely made to order by them, those with Gibbs own name being scarce and somewhat sought after. Finest 8 pin locks with beautiful crisp triggers, well figured wood, impeccable fit and finish, what's not to like?
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