new (old) shotgun
- Thread starter canvasback
- Start date
I have one almost like it but in 16ga and mine only has 70/75% scroll engraving.....I have to have the locking system on mine tightened up as it has a little up down movement....its not the strongest locking mechanism for sure ....made up of two small wedges [one below the barrels and one at the rear of top rib]....not a lot of bearing surface..
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These are some quick additional photos in answer to some requests. Point and shoot camera and wrong lighting means they're not as good photos as I would like.
I've done a Fox A grade 12 bore that was bought new in 1911 by my great grandfather and a Winchester SRC in .32 win from 1903 that was owned by my another great grandfather. I also have done a pre-WW1 Hyem 16 bore that I really like. I have a lovely 12 bore Army & Navy from 1888 I bought from a fellow gunnutz that I am just getting ready to restore. This one needs a new stock in addition to the metal work.
I recently picked up two more Piepers from the US, a 12 bore sidelock with damascus barrels and a 16 bore boxlock. I expect to take possession of those two by mid-January and will be assessing them to see if they are worth spending time on.
Sharptail, the top rib is kind of interesting. I haven't seen another one that works the same way. It's like a reverse dollshead. When you push the top lever to the side, it pulls back the section of the top rib on the receiver that (when the gun is closed) otherwise fits into a section on the barrel. The other thing that both my gunsmith and I found interesting is that it needs to be snapped closed. Carefully closing the gun doesn't work. It kind of goes against my grain but we're convinced that the way it is supposed to be done.
I wish I knew more about the gun's provenence but the guy I bought it from could tell me remarkably little. On both this gun and the Hyem I feel like I took a gamble and ended up with a fantastic gun. My gunsmith, who works on the best....Purdys, etc., tells me that while the wood is nice but nothing special, the barrels and action/locks on this Pieper are as well crafted as anything he has ever seen. And he thinks the only good guns are made in England.
I wish I knew more about the gun's provenence but the guy I bought it from could tell me remarkably little. On both this gun and the Hyem I feel like I took a gamble and ended up with a fantastic gun. My gunsmith, who works on the best....Purdys, etc., tells me that while the wood is nice but nothing special, the barrels and action/locks on this Pieper are as well crafted as anything he has ever seen. And he thinks the only good guns are made in England.
A few last points about the gun. It has a skeleton butt plate, nicely engraved. The grip seems kind of half way between a regular pistol grip and a semi pistol and it has a nice bone cap, the top rib is nicely engraved the entire length of the barrels and there is a single brass bead. The forearm has a push button Anson style release and my eyes are bad but I think the chequering is at least 28 lines per inch. It's at that lovely level where you still see the figure clearly and it is fine enough it barely increases your grip.
Thanks for all your comments....nice to find others who share my enthusiasm.
Thanks for all your comments....nice to find others who share my enthusiasm.
The lock on the top is the type sometimes referred to as the "hidden bite". Can't recall off hand if it was a Purdy or other firms initiative. Is there no underbolting system or is it simply different than we most often see? Normally you see notches in the lumps that locks slide into.
belgian double
The one I have has an additional slideing wedge the same width as the top rib wedge ...its located just a little below the breach face and fits into a corisponding notch on the rear lump......it also has sling swivels but no cheak piece....does yours have any indication that it might of at one time had a swivel removed from the bottom barrel rib about half way between the front of the forend and muzzel......the swivel on my stock is located just about where yours has the brass initial plate....
The one I have also has Demi-bloc barrels....a lot that Iv seen have the mono bloc type barrels....
that is a very nice looking shotgun.....
The one I have has an additional slideing wedge the same width as the top rib wedge ...its located just a little below the breach face and fits into a corisponding notch on the rear lump......it also has sling swivels but no cheak piece....does yours have any indication that it might of at one time had a swivel removed from the bottom barrel rib about half way between the front of the forend and muzzel......the swivel on my stock is located just about where yours has the brass initial plate....
The one I have also has Demi-bloc barrels....a lot that Iv seen have the mono bloc type barrels....
that is a very nice looking shotgun.....
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Mike Oxbig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Scarborough Ontario
WoW!!! Great job!!
I can't immagine the money and time that went into that project!
I can't immagine the money and time that went into that project!
