doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Forend release preference.

There was a time when I believed the Anson button release forend was simply the right way for a double gun to be built. It looks classy, gives the engraver something more to work his artistry on and lends some sophistication to the takedown of the gun. I considered the snap forend the poorer sister of the Anson. Always seen on the lower end American boxlocks, that was the easy conclusion to come to. But, my preference is evolving. The Anson style forend always seems to have a bit of movement, when it is closed, and as the gun is opened, and it glides across the knuckle. The movement seems exagerated in ejector guns, but, I don't seek those guns out, and have owned few. That movement, slight as it is, bugs me. The retaining spring can only be fitted so tightly, or you couldn't push the button in to remove it. The snap forend, doesn't seem to suffer that problem, at least not in the examples I've owned, including, among others, a higher grade MacNaughton boxlock, and a lowly Nitro Special. The wood is held tightly in the better examples I have seen. I remember reading a Michael MacIntosh article, years ago, on what to do if your Anson button got stuck, but, don't see the need for that same article on a snap forend.
Since someone will likely point it out anyway, yes, the front wood on a Darne is rigid, and doesn't move, period, unless you remove some screws. It is my favorite system, but, I use and enjoy other guns. The guns fitted with the lever forend seem to be tighter as well, but, save a lone German gun that went down the road long ago, I've not owned any.
I'm willing at this point to cut the poorer sister design some slack, and remember it is mostly fool-proof and simple to use, and to fit or repair.
Excellent traits in a hunting implement.

Best,
Ted

Jan Novotn� of Praze is my favourite due to ease of use. Not sure who's design, but probably some Deeley - Edge variant?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

I have all three: Anson, Deeley, and snap on. They're all O.K. but I've also come to admire the simplicity of the snap on. It certainly holds the forend firmly to the knuckle. And it's brain dead simple. Only problem I've encountered is sometimes the spring weakens and the forend comes off too easily. But that's simple to fix.

Ejector guns are better if they have a catch rather than a snap .Especially if the ejector work is of a type where the kickers are under tension such as the Deeley box . Personal preference is a Anson push rod , Deeley catches are OK but if the wood gets worn /oil soaked or the often single screw comes loose then there can be problems . They are also a pain if re for-ending as it was the stocker who originally fitted them up when new .The strongest catch in my opinion was the so called Rigby/Wilkinson turn /screw grip used in many double rifles and a favorite of .

I'm curious how Wilkinson was worked into the Rigby/Wilkinson variant as Charles Harvey looks to have filed for protection? The Rigby style latch was a staple of many of the Vienna mechanics.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

I like the Hackett marked snap forend (the kind with the small roller at the end of the spring) on my Lang. Seems efficient and simple.

The Deeley style on my Greener FP was good with excellent fit, finish and function. Feel like there is more to go wrong there in the long run though.

Conversely, I feel a little bit of slop/play in my low mileage Citori with a Deeley style forend...I understand it can be an issue with the Berettas as well although my Silver Pigeon was tight if memory serves.

I like either the Deely Lever or the Anson Button. The Push Button design on some Lefevers was very good in my opinion. Most of My Lefevers have the snap on. They are secure, even with ejectors but do have a rather stiff pull-off. The catch on Lefever snap ons is in front of the barrel lug.
I absolutely ABHOR a snap on in which the lug is engaged from the rear. This pushes the forend iron back against the knuckle of the gun & is actually pushing the barrels away from the breech. Just seems the wrong way to go to me & adds un-necessary friction to the hinge in opening & closing the gun. Best I recall the only gun I currently have with this type is a 16ga Baker Black Beauty.

Count me as a fan of the Anson Pushrod design. I also like the vintage crosswedge style, but I'm in a minority.

My all-time favorite lever release is on a circa 1887 John Blanch Back-action ejector that now resides in North Dakota. I believe it is a Scott patent design.

I've personally always favored the Deeley latch because it's secure and I think it's the most attractive. As for the snap on; I've been told there are a lot of shotgun forends of the snap on variety in the deep blue due to their tendency to pop off at the worst of times. The Anson latch is all right and I have examples so equipped.
Jim