I think it's Russian by way of London. I'm thinking Matska.
Here's why: the hinge pin was screwed in from the right. By the time this gun was made (probably 1890s), most English makers screwed them in from the left.
It doesn't have drop point on the stock. Again, by the time this gun was made, most English guns of this quality had drop points on their stocks.
That funky basket of flowers on the bottom of the action. I've never seen that before on an English gun. Again, it makes me think Russia / Matska.
Also, all the Whitworth bbls I have seen have been chopperlump. These appear to be round bar bbls. Like the basket-of-flower engraving, I'm not sure what this means. It seems odd to me. For some reason, it says Matska to me. Of course, I've only seen pictures of Matskas before.
Matska bought high-grade guns out of London, right? Did he bring them out in the white?
Of course, this is just a gut feeling/ wild guess. I have nothing to prove any of it.
Where is it located? Where was your grandfather from?
Thanks
OWD
Last edited by obsessed-with-doubles; 12/20/06 12:24 AM.
