doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Tranters 1882 patent - Autopsy

I acquired a boxlock non ejector with a difference today.

"Lang London" Serial number 616 built on Tranters 1882 hammer less patent which is a top lever cocking mechanism.

Black powder proof only though sadly its out of proof both barrels marked Not for ball, and 13B 14M on both tubes of Damascus barrels barrels now measuring 20thou i think. There have been some pits removed and dents raised i suspect.

Gun shows no signs of being tightened or being put back on face and it is slightly loose, a single thickness of receipt paper ( couldn't find my feeler gauge ) will fit between barrels and standing breech without fouling the mechanism which is silky smooth to operate, a double thickness of paper will prevent the mechanism from operating.

The top lever spring which is hidden deep within the mechanism is a bit weak.

Pictures below, nice touches on this early gun include a roller bearing on the for end catch, and the checkering which is mostly at about 20 LPI is bordered just at the end of the trigger guard where the cross over is made in a flawless 28 LPI checker.



The whole mechanism bar the firing pins is on the trigger plate and the safety intercepts the hammers and triggers.













The same bar the cocks the hammers also acts on this part to push the top lever and under bolts in.



These screws secure bushes which secure the firing pins.





[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsbszjjwj6.jpg[/img]

Gold Inlaid "safe" the safety is smooth to operate requiring a long positive push forward.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpswmulfdwq.jpg[/img]

Top lever is also engraved tranters patent and pushes around a long was in order to withdraw the under bolt and cock the hammers.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsnbrbixna.jpg[/img]

Its not profusely engraved but the effect is rather nice.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zps19cjmynr.jpg[/img]

Patent opposite 1881 ( use number or a year? ), serial stamped 616 repeated on the trigger guard,

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsifxenrsu.jpg[/img]

Terrible picture quality but both tubes stamped Not for ball brummie marks, 13B 14M.


Roller bearing in the forend latch.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsfdmvakpf.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsziwp5dm6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zps7l3tew2z.jpg[/img]

Nicely carved horn forend tip.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsmuhstxzh.jpg[/img]

Beading from the water table is carried the full length of the for end.

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsm8a2d6ax.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsudilou76.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505...zpsqc7sjhvf.jpg[/img]

Nice to have something a bit different.

I hope that was of interest to someone!

Thanks for the detailed description and pictures. I was unfamiliar with this type of action until now.
Jim

A few years back the (London) Proof House would happily give a Proof Exemption on something like this. They have probably got a bit more selective since I was involved.

That's why i took the pictures its unusual and unless you have owned one or worked on one you will probably never see one in the field or in the gun shops. Its a very basic and simple mechanism but the interactions of all the parts are pretty unique.



I had not thought about getting an exemption.. really a re proof would be nice but i doubt 20 thou would go through re proof i know much thinner have passed a re proof but as we know the poof houses are as much destroyers of fine guns as preservers; i would rather this was not blown up.