It is a nice example of a typical "Gun Gaffer" gun. I just put two unfinished JA marked guns away on my WIP shelf with a hope to finish them out next year. Jack Rowe Identified them as follows:- the "gun gaffer" ie,G.E.Lewis,Wm Ford,George Bates or in this case H.Bissell get an order for a gun, in this case 20ga light game gun fully engraved with game scenes. An order was sent to John Ashbury who made up the barrels, machined the action forging (you'll probably find JA on the back of th action below the bolt way as well)and Joined the barrels to the action, fitted the bolt work and lever work ( usually Greener lever work)Back to Gaffer, who then sent it out to an action filer for external shaping and instalation of tumblers,sears).It then went back to gaffer who submitted it for final proof with everthing out except lever bolt and loose tumblers. Back to gaffer,out to ejector man for ejectors, springs, cocking levers,and fore end iron and catch.Back to gaffer then out to furniture filer for
bottom plate,trigger plate, triggers and safety.Out to Screwer,back.Finally filed off,back and rough stocked, out to polisher.back, out to engraver,back out to hardener(probably Harry Woodward polisher and harder).All other parts blacked/colored then back to finisher and freer who may be the Gaffer.He would strip completly free up any binding,checker and finish wood re assemble pack the gun and ship!!
It sounds very long and be laboured but all of these skilled specialist tradesmen could be found within 50 yards of the front of No10 St Marys Row.Up to date progress reports could be gotten
over a pint in either The Gunmakers Arms,Bath St or The Bull's head at the intersection of Price st and Loveday St.
