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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680 |
Just got back from a very wet and rainy grouse hunt, the last of the season. I had to take the guns down to the bare guts to make sure they dry out properly, while I had them apart I figured I shoot a couple of quick pics of some lock work and stock inletting. The first is of course a Chas. Lancaster Model A "Wrist Breaker". This is the best gun Lancasters made at the time (1890). Notice the locks are quite robust, but perfectley executed, as is the stock inletting. As a good English stockmaker friend of mine commented, "not particularly difficult to execute, but everything is spot on". Best Quality engraving...  Well put together locks, robust and simple. Notice how the hammer is filed and shaped..attention to detail, it didnt have to be done that way, it would've worked just fine being a slab. It took many hours at the bench to get the shape just right.  Stock inletting...as Paul said "Spot on"!   Here are some shots of a little 16 bore Chas. Smith, Newark-upon-Trent. The action is a 2nd pattern Purdey patent thumb-opener.   Stock inletting, extremely well done.. 
Last edited by LeFusil; 10/31/10 07:48 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Splendid! I love Lancasters. Brilliant bit of engineering those locks...cheers for posting  I'm doing up a "Wrist Breaker" Boxlock atm.. TT
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,973 Likes: 1551
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,973 Likes: 1551 |
Dustin,
As a lefty, how does that hammer gun work out for you? Ever find yourself in a warm corner, and going for the top lever the first time the gun is empty? Or, not grabbing the ears as the pheasant is swearing at the dog and fleeing?
Just curious.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6 |
It is great to see these old guns opened up, and get a good look at the lock mechanisms and stock inletting. Beautiful guns!
Excuse my ignorance but where is the mainspring for the Wrist Breaker? I see where I think it is supposed to engage the bottom of the tumbler, and I see what I assume is the sear spring, but I can't figure out what powers the tumbler.
Thanks, Doverham
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,196 Likes: 20
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,196 Likes: 20 |
Assume that would be Paul H. Great person and as much talent w/wood as any that have ever come down the pike. Thanks for sharing the pics, easy to agree with your assessment & Paul's. The Lancaster's simple solution locks are quite elegant in both design and execuition.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680 |
It is great to see these old guns opened up, and get a good look at the lock mechanisms and stock inletting. Beautiful guns!
Excuse my ignorance but where is the mainspring for the Wrist Breaker? I see where I think it is supposed to engage the bottom of the tumbler, and I see what I assume is the sear spring, but I can't figure out what powers the tumbler.
Thanks, Doverham The mainspring and cocking limb are one piece, see that nub at the back of the action in the inletting photo? Thats the mainspring..its long and has several jobs to do. The intercepting sears or patent block safety is mounted on the floor plate in case you were wondering were that was located as well. Mr. F. Beesley sure had some great ideas. Dustin
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,364 Likes: 680 |
Dustin,
As a lefty, how does that hammer gun work out for you? Ever find yourself in a warm corner, and going for the top lever the first time the gun is empty? Or, not grabbing the ears as the pheasant is swearing at the dog and fleeing?
Just curious.
Best,
Ted Ted, I only cock 1 hammer if a bird flushes wild (which I rarely shoot), if I need a second shot, I lower the gun and cock the second hammer. I cannot cock both hammers consitently and safely at the same time while mounting the gun, some guys can do it no problem, I'm not comfortable doing it. If one of the setters is on point and I'm walking in to flush a bird, I will cock both hammers individualy as I'm walking in for the flush. It works for me, shot a nice sharptail doing just that earlier today. As the thumb-opener goes...its almost automatic, I dont even think about it, its very easy to manipulate and doesnt take much time to do, not to mention it's elegant as all get out! Dustin
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115 |
Like the Smith of Newark. Sadly all the records for these guns have gone astray. I have a Smith that is Number 1 of a pair but no serial number. Nice locks by Stanton and well engraved but very plain stock. Recently had it nitro proofed. All the Newark Smith's that I have seen have been good quality. Amazing how these guns from small provincial Makers get about the globe. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553 |
LeFusile
Nice Guns there man,
love the Lancaster
cheers
Franc
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 973
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 973 |
Excellent!! Great pics Dustin...
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