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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36 |
I just bought my first hammergun.An 1869 Purdey. In looking at many hammerguns on-line many point out that the gun has dolphin hammers. What is a dolphin hammer? I thought it might be the hammer manufacturer, or the specific shape of the hammer, or a specific engraving pattern. Any help to remove my ignorance on this subject!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 605 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 605 Likes: 1 |
A dolphin hammer is one that has been shaped and engraved to resemble the sinuous form of a swimming dolphin. I think the jury is out as to whether there's a significance or symbolism to the form, or whether it was just a pleasing form that became popular. Pineapple finials are another form you'll see on a lot of muzzle loaders, less so breech loaders.
Last edited by cadet; 10/22/18 06:17 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,462 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,462 Likes: 89 |
I never understood the connection with sea creatures and engraving on shotguns...the Natulus was used in patterns on English guns.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 605 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 605 Likes: 1 |
Perhaps they're just a pleasing form - just like, when you think of it, why would anyone put acanthus leaves, or bouquets of roses on a gun? But somehow they're pleasing forms that have become quite normal.
Pineapples were apparently symbols of luxury, hospitality, the exotic in days gone by, so it makes some sense that they might have appeared on finer guns.
I kick myself that years ago I didn't buy an old muzzle loader that had hammers shaped like dogs; and I've seen a "green man" engraved on a gun before.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460 |
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Define Percussion. I was of the opinion caplock, pinfire, rimfire, teatfire, centerfire, needlefire & etc were all percussion. That is any system which ignites the powder by crushing an explosive compound is percussion. Matchlock, fuse fire, wheellock, flintlock & electric ignition are of course not percussion.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,007 Likes: 1816
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,007 Likes: 1816 |
The nautilus shell, which Joe mentioned, when it is sectioned, reveals a perfect scroll, but with chambers. This may have been the inspiration for the scroll, in rose and scroll engraving styles. A scroll is not pleasing to the eye at all if it's shape is not absolutely perfect.
Much of gun design utilized the Golden Mean proportion. When I would do the design and layout for a m/l longrifle stock to build, I would lay out different parts of it according to the Golden Mean. Do that, and it is always pleasing to the eye.
The sea, and nautical things, were much more in the forefront of English attention than they are today, in this day of air travel. Architectural designs also found their way into gun decoration................ images of mythical beings like gargoyles and goddesses.
SRH
Last edited by Stan; 10/22/18 07:45 PM. Reason: sp.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460 |
L.C. Smith A1  No. 4  Pigeon  No. 2  No. 1 
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,758 Likes: 460 |
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