doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Henry Atkin - Questions (Pics Added)

Hi, here are some pics of the gun in question. The gun is sleeved, but the seams have been engraved over (like a wedding band)it also has disk strikers and an articulated front trigger.

Any comments on what you think would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Greg

Greg,

Atkin, Grant & Lang is still in business. Here's their website http://www.atkingrantandlang.co.uk/ . Ken Duglan may have the records of when your gun was built - he was able to find the record of my Joseph Lang which was built in 1866 including the dimensions and name of the orignal purchaser. I'm pretty sure that Ken will be at the Southern SxS in Sanford NC next weekend and will return to England shortly after. It's always great to look at his new and reconditioned Atkin, Grants and Langs and I will be be drooling next weekend.

Greg, ah......maybe just one comment here, ah, can't you see for yourself that this gun just reeks with quality!!!
I hope you get it and what happened with the Coggie???

Hi, well the Coggy was off face (not much) and there were a couple of gaps between the wood and metal on the horns.

I will say that Kirby is up front with his guns, an honest man and great to deal with.

Thanks again!!!!

All the best!

Greg

That's to bad sounds like a real butcher got a hold of that Coggie.

Greg, based on the photos, I'd say it is a best work gunOriginal Quality grade one (OQ1)). The locks 8 or 9 pin (depending on whether you count the tumbler or not), the engraving is over 75% coverage and looks like high quality, the wood is good (but may be a restock), and the fit and finish look up to best work standards. Some will argue that the flat back is not a best work gun. I'll concede that the later "London best gun" was stocked to the fences. However, IMO, many of the earlier flatbacks are best work guns, they simply were before a style change.

My guess is that you have a very fine gun. Atkin's built guns for smove real VIP's; Gough Thomas went there for his 'Optimum gun."

Hi Don and thanks. I depend on your keen judgement and extensive knowledge. I apprecaite it! I've seen pics of #2 gun, the stock has almost identical figure and pattern, so if it were a restock (which I don't know)then the owner had the good luck to find some good blanks to restock both guns.

Your observation on stocked to the fences is interesting. This gun was made in 1898, so perhaps this predates the "Stocked to the fences" only for Best Gun qualification.

FWIW, the gun also has disk set strikers and an articulated trigger.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again for the kind words!

Greg

It is always hard to tell what is shadow or discoloration of wood in photos, yet readily apparent when the gun is in-hand. The finish wear to the gun is consistant with heavy use, but no abuse. It is entirely possible, but uncommon, that the guns were restocked with a fletch (matching stock blanks). In any event, the wood quality appears to be a good match with the finish and engraving. '98 is not at all too late for a best work flat back. STTF was "invented" early, but did not become fashino until the late '90's to early '00's. Disc set strikers were done, but not always at the time your gun was built. Articulated front trigger is more of a Continental/USA feature. Do you have any idea when your gun came to the USA? Could it have been built for an American?

Hi Don, No I don't when she came over. As best I can recall the SN is 993 or close to that. According to Brown's book SN c1100 began in 1899, so I'm guessing the gun was made 1896 to maybe 1898 (just a guess here).

I plan on submitting the SN when I get her to AG&L to get all the details, if they have them.

Thanks again for all the great help and info......can always count on you!

All the best!

Greg

Love those fences! Very nice.

OWD