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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 65
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 65 |
Are there any guidelines as to when a English double shotgun or rifle will have flattop checkering instead of pointed checkering? I have seen plenty of English doubles with pointed checkering and I recently had a vintage Rigby, with what appeared to be pointed checkering, recutt and a fellow collector pulled up his nose, stating that no Prewar Rigby ever had anything but flattop checkering. By the way, he also stated that prewar Rigby rifles were never made with cheekpieces? Most of the English doubles that I own, have pointed checkering but I am now worried that this might not be original. Regards, Charl
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 156
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 156 |
My take is that checkering quality - pointed diamonds, straight patterns (on point patterns) that match the shape of the diamonds, no overruns - is not valued in England nor in Italy or most of Europe. The work I've seen over the last 100 years or so that is flat topped is not uniformly that way and is sloppy execution. The best checkering in the world is and has been done in the U.S., IMO.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,279 Likes: 210
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,279 Likes: 210 |
GF1 you may be right on where the best checkering comes from today. But those sharp pointed diamonds don't belong on most vintage guns, American or European. Some of the finest execution will be found on some British flat top examples, but not all. Higher end French guns often have wonderful workmanship in their checkering.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
To my eye, and the opinion of several gunmakers I've known, flat top checkering is the most difficult to properly execute. All flat top diamonds need to be the same size to not be distracting. Sharp diamonds can be overcut and never be detected. Also, from a practical standpoint, sharp checkering can be a real hinderance to a proper mount. When mounting and shooting a double gun both hands are moving a lot. The last thing I want is for sharp checkering to grab the hand, interrupting the mount and swing or moving the hand for a second shot. Here's a great example of perfect flat top checkering. On my Greener from 1872. Only about 10 lines to the inch but very attractive and practical.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,279 Likes: 210
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,279 Likes: 210 |
Joe, your John Harper is a good example of good flat top checkering. Do you have any pics ?
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,227
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,227 |
Also, from a practical standpoint, sharp checkering can be a real hinderance to a proper mount. First I've ever heard that....OK if I use it? "I'd have gotten that bird but my checkering is too danged sharp."
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,278 Likes: 530
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,278 Likes: 530 |
Here's a hammergun with properly executed flat top checkering, after I get the gun back from some guy up in Wisconsin, I'll take more detailed pics of the checkering....
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
Mike, that is a darned good excuse....I've had great luck with it for years. In my book it's excuse #63b.12
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
Daryl, here's a pic of the John Harper's grip. Gun is probably from after WW2. Harper worked in Birmingham and at one time was a Guardian of the proof house. The checkering provides a good grip but does not grab as sharp diamonds would.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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