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Forums10
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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 285
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 285 |
 Hi All, This Perrins shotgun has just surfaced and it is intriguing. It looks like it was originally a pin fire which has been converted to centre fire some time after 1887 which is not too unusual in itself – but what is unusual is the grip safety. Now I have been around guns for a good few years but am no expert and this is the first time I have seen this on a shotgun. The gun has non rebounding hammers, as you would expect on a pin fire conversion, but I would appreciate it if anyone can shed some light on the grip safety. How rare are these? And would it have been original? The hammers are locked when fully cocked till the grip is squeezed. As any of you who have followed my threads on the Perrins guns over the years will have realised – they were very innovative and progressive. We have uncovered all sorts of different actions from false hammers to safety catches that work the opposite way from convention to underleaver and top leaver cocking – but I haven’t come across a grip safety on one of their guns before. I am sure there will be lots of you out there with examples or the knowledge so any information would be welcome Here are a few more photos of the gun – it isn’t in great condition but with a little – well actually quite a lot – of TLC it should make a good recovery. John     
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138 |
Hi John,
Nice gun you have there, I have a Dickson with the same 'grip safety' as your Perrins, my gun is dated 1863 and is also a pin-fire conversion.
It is a rare thing to come across. Looking through the Dickson records they built 18 muzzleloaders, 24 breach loaders (centre and pin-fire) and 8 hammerless guns with this 'grip-safety'.
Regards
J-PD
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202 |
I also had a Dickson, pinfire conversion, rebounding hammers, with a grip safety, and a Brazier snap bolt. I am not sure if the internals my grip safety are like your, but on the outside they look the same.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
Grip safeties are older'n Methuselah. Here's one from circa 1815 on a W.H. Wilson, London. I believe it was a Manton innovation which merely blocks the trigger blades. Intent was two-fold: to help prevent blowing your head off whilst loading, and supposedly allowed safely carrying the gun fully cocked for rough shooting. Only problem is I tend to grip the wrist while walking.....not a good idea with this arrangement. (These late flintlocks were often built as self primers as this one is so were loaded with frizzen closed and hammer at half cock.) 
Last edited by Joe Wood; 08/27/13 12:48 PM.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 285
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 285 |
What a cracking gun. As you say - there isn't anything new - even back in 1860!!
I had thought it a bit tricky to carry it cocked without holding the wrist of the stock with one hand - it just felt a bit awkward holding it further back.
John
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,156
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,156 |
More proof Stephen Grant thought old ways the best: a gun of his from 1909 sports a grip safety that looks very much like the fist photo...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 624
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 624 |
One of the side plate Lefever guns with grip safety was for sale a few years ago. I only saw photos of it; it was in Texas as I recall.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 777 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 777 Likes: 36 |
Here is a Purdey 16b that I sold, complete with grip safety.  An interesting triggerguard as well. Made for a Austrian Count.
Last edited by Toby Barclay; 09/02/13 03:47 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138 |
Hi Toby,
What do you know of these type of trigger guards? I have heard lots of interesting speculation on the reason for the shape.
About 20 years ago, I worked on a pair of Purdey SLE's with these type of guards, they were also an original European order. I was told by the owner they were shaped like that so that they butted up against a stop in a long holster sleeve whilst on a horse?
Anyone else have the definitive reason behind this shape? Would love to put the guessing to rest.
Regards
J-PD
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,271 Likes: 202 |
similar trigger guards  Dickson conversion.  Same gun as above, showing grip safety. 
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 09/02/13 06:50 PM.
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