I have been collecting double guns for over 25 years but have never seen one of these. Picked this up the other day for a song and a dance. Beautiful 12 gauge gun with a narrow petite frame, 30" damascus barrels, snap action Daws patent opening lever, and back action locks. Maker's name on locks and barrels is H. Thompson & Co. I know that he made muzzle loaders. The part I can't figure out is "Ansell & Co. patent" on the Frame and on the top tang between the hammers. Can anyone shed any light on this patent? Thanks!
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What condition too! I like it.
Awesomely cool! It looks very light. Can you post pictures of the entire gun?
If you ever want to let it go...
You don't show all pictures of what I think may be the Ansell Patent locking mechanism. It consists of a thumb push opening button which depresses the locking pin between the ribs in the barrel breech which is shown on your picture Ansell 2. I have a cased bar action sidelock with that patent which was apparently made for a seller James Smyth who may have had a shingle in South Africa. Apparently, if yours has this Ansell patent, it is a fairly early gun. I think the Ansell patent locking mechanism did not find a lot of acceptance.
Your gun shows an under lever, which probably depresses the pin in the barrel breech in a similar way my gun depresses the pin with a thumb push button that looks sort of like a safety on conventional guns.
very nice and wonderful condition...
A bit about Ansell from the Internet Gun Club.
William Ansell was only recorded from 1870 but on 14 January 1865 he registered patent No 124 for a barrel locking stud for a drop-down action. This was probably when he established his business. He was recorded in 1870 at 35 Fisher Street.
An A Ansell (mis-print?) took out patent No. 825 on 28 March 1871 for a thumb operated barrel locking bolt, but whether he was related or worked with William is unknown. On 2 May 1871 William Ansell patented a barrel locking spring operated bolt in the top rib (patent No. 1174).
In 1872 the firm changed its name to William Ansell & Co. In this year William Ansell patented a barrel bolting mechanism (No. 2349) which referred to 1174/1871 and was used by Holland & Holland, amongst others.
In 1875 patent No.1756 was taken out for a cocking mechanism, and in 1876 a further patent for a safety catch (No. 4513).
In 1879 several safety catches were covered under patent No. 907. In 1882 patent No.4089 covered more safety catches, modifications were made together with J Deeley (of Westley Richards) under patent No.1833 of 1883.
In 1884 extractors were covered under patent No.15299, more extractors and ejectors were patented under No.7274 of 1888.
The firm appears to have closed at some time after 1888.
See C A Ansell of Bloemfontein, South Africa who was probably related.
As always, thanks for your wealth of knowledge Daryl!
I have posted additional pictures per your request.
Awesomely cool! It looks very light. Can you post pictures of the entire gun?
If you ever want to let it go...
Gun feels like it weighs only 6 pounds but it actually weighs 7lbs 2oz
You don't show all pictures of what I think may be the Ansell Patent locking mechanism. It consists of a thumb push opening button which depresses the locking pin between the ribs in the barrel breech which is shown on your picture Ansell 2. I have a cased bar action sidelock with that patent which was apparently made for a seller James Smyth who may have had a shingle in South Africa. Apparently, if yours has this Ansell patent, it is a fairly early gun. I think the Ansell patent locking mechanism did not find a lot of acceptance.
Your gun shows an under lever, which probably depresses the pin in the barrel breech in a similar way my gun depresses the pin with a thumb push button that looks sort of like a safety on conventional guns.
Daryl, how do you get the pictures to show up as pictures and not links?
Below each picture is
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That's just an awesome find. I'm totally envious.
You found a gem! Condition appears to be spectacular. And with laminated barrels. Congratulations.
My fellow countryman Dig Hadoke has written here about a certain Thompson hammer gun that he seems to hold in very high regard, I wonder if it/s the same maker?
Your looks to be in great shape...what do you charge for a song n dance, if I may be so bold??
nice one!
franc
What a gem! You are indeed a fortunate man, sir. On the flip side, it begs the question, yet again, why can't I ever stumble on such a beauty for a "song and a dance"?
I apologize for letting my envy show. I am sincerely happy for your good fortune, and look forward to reading about your adventures when you take this wonderful piece afield.
I hope you don't have a heart attack, and I hate to admit it but I only paid $352 for it.....please don't hate me for it!
Holy Shit!....a savage deal indeed....good for you man
franc
I need to seriously start practicing my "song and dance"!
Karl
What a gem! You are indeed a fortunate man, sir. On the flip side, it begs the question, yet again, why can't I ever stumble on such a beauty for a "song and a dance"?
I apologize for letting my envy show. I am sincerely happy for your good fortune, and look forward to reading about your adventures when you take this wonderful piece afield.
I will post pictures in the fall with wild birds hopefully adorning this gun
Here's the Ansell patent using a thumb push lever.
Pin under rib will lock into the standing breech
Standing breech showing recess for locking pin
Standing breech showing thumb push in unlocking position
Daryl,
Does your gun say Ansell patent or number anywhere on it? Does your forearm have a wedge or deely latch? My gun does not have a serial number which I find a little unusual.
12boreman,, The gun seems to be serial no. 67 and has a pin forend fastener. Here's the Ansell patent mark.
Great gun Daryl. Yours has a little more engraving than mine. I especially love the sliding thumb lever on yours. I am assuming yours has a steel buttplate?
Yes, a steel buttplate, straight grip, and cased.
Daryl,
I took the locks out today and noticed that each lock had a different patent number 7827 on one lock and 7828 on the other.
The words, "joint patent Stanton & Co. can be seen. Do you know anything about Stanton and his patents?
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Stanton patented the rebounding lock in 1867. Others may know of additional patents.
Those are pretty locks.
I have not looked for the Stanton patents, but my first guess is that you are seeing patent use numbers, not patent numbers.
I'm no expert but Stanton made fine locks I have a W.C.Scott triple bite with similar locks.
The Ansell patent locking mechanism was also used on the American Arms Co., Fox gun of '78-84 although not marked such.
John
That's great info John. I have a Boston arms company with that lockup. I completely forgot. Thanks!