doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com some help with an English Hammer gun please

I have the gun for inspection and the barrels don't seem to have been cut. The keels are in place and as someone mentioned I used the pin method and there is no soft metal indicating soder. The screw holding the hammers in are replacement but the gun fits well points like a dream and with some RST 2.5inch shells should be a joy to shoot. I'm still waiting to hear from W. Richards as to the original barrel length. In regards to the case and the barrels they do fit perfectly as there is a spacer in the case which doesn't show in the pictures. A check of wall thickness is in order and the information from the manufacturer.

Neither the "keels" nor the "solder pin test" is a good indicator of original barrel length.

To me the "spacer in the case" could be an indicator of originally longer barrels, back then they generally built the cases close to fitting the gun.

Post some good pics I'm sure someone will tell you what you got.

Hopefully this will work, and you can follow the link to pictures of this gun.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/bitman/BritGun20/

Rich....that looks like a smashing Hammergun..very nice.
Cheers
franc

Cases were bought from case makers would be bought in ,in standard lengths . Therefore if a shop had one or two on stock, they would be suitable for a variety of guns and came with "spacers to allow the gun to be fitted in the case. I would assume that cases would be bought in 28" ,that could also be used for 26" gun and 30" that could also be used for a 28" gun.
It is also a mistake to assume that all guns when sold new came with a case. Webley'sfor example sold very few guns in cases unless by request of the buyer .For instance a large order for the US were cased , spacers cut to fit ,the barrel and the stock . A previous order went out in standard packing.

Very nice specimen with Richards' patent top fastener. The proof marks indicate that there should be a degree of choke so if the barrels show choke present, they are original and if cylinder, they have either been shortened or bored out. Anyway. hopefully Chris Caine at W.Richards should be able to answer your question. I would think that he would be interested in viewing the photos. If you ask him he might send you a copy of their patent specifications; if not then let me know as I have a copy somewhere. Lagopus.....

This is begining to sound better. There is choke in both barrels, about .12 each. I have E-Mailed Chris and await his reply.

Please be aware that if the barrels were shortened and the choke lost, and then the barrels were bored out 12 thou to remove pitting before nitro -proofing but not at the muzzle,that amount of choke could be built back in. This is a very common practice. The concern becomes barrel wall thickness and balance and handling.

Bore diameter and wall thickness will be looked at. Fortunatly the seller is a friend and very patient. It will be interesting to see the records if they exist.

I haven't had a reply from either Richards or Chris regarding any available records. If anyone out there has any information it will be appreciated.