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Forums10
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 386 Likes: 10
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 386 Likes: 10 |
A friend is looking for info on a gun:
12ga SXS
Damascus.
Back action, hammers, top lever.
Birmingham proofs, 1887 -1904 range.
Only marks: "D.Murray" on lock plates,
"D Murray Stonehaven" on rib.
One different feature (for me) is a cross screw to hold the rear of the lock plates, as well as the one at the front.
I suspect this is a gun made for the trade, but seems a bit above field grade.
Any info on "D Murray'?
TIA.
Dumb, but learning...Prof Em, BSc(ME), CAE (FYI)
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,533 Likes: 169
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,533 Likes: 169 |
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Murray was a Scottish maker. David Murray was recorded in about 1890 in Even Street, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.
Pete
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138 |
Stonehaven is a little coastal fishing town about 15 miles south of Aberdeen. A place I have visited many times when I was much younger as my father was involved with the sailing club there.
Years later I came across the name D. Murray and was surprised to see the a small town had a gunmaker. As noted by Boothroyd, the weapons made by Murray were not only excellent but demonstrated that he was a gunmaker in his own right. The business moved inland to the town of Brechin where it remained until the death of the proprietor, a descendent of David, Mr. Fitzroy Murray.
Whilst researching the business of Charles Playfair of Aberdeen, I uncovered that David Murray had actually started his trade with Playfair and, at some point, left the business and set up in his own right in Stonehaven. However, Playfair continued to send work to Murray as an outworker.
When Murray passed away, Charles Playfair attended his funeral. When asked to give a few words, he stated that David was "the best stocker he ever had and whenever he needed the best job it went to David". Now, Playfair was a man of few compliments to those who worked for him and even his customers. He had upset a few people in Aberdeen over the years but was still a very wealthy and powerful gentleman in the city. So for Playfair to offer these words was the ultimate compliment of Murray.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11 |
oldstarfire,
There is an interesting article on D.Murray in Geoffrey Boothroyds book, "Shotguns and Gunsmiths,"pages 174-5
Roy Hebbes
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