doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com W. Richards 577/500 Double Questions - Mfg Year?

On Powell guns - the rebounding lock (they initially described it as the "self half cocking lock) was their standard on their better guns by 1868. The wedge forend was common through the late 1870s and occasionally used into the early 1880s.
Yes - the Jones lever over guard was patent No.2040 of 1859.

The Stanton rebounding hammer patent is from 1867.
The invention took on very fast as it solved a practical safety issue and it was cheaper to make than the 1/2 cock safety bolt.
WC-

Hello WildCattle,


Is the 13429 number the serial number from the barrel maker A&T? Would that indicate that A&T made the entire barrel assembly, ribs and all?

Hi Buckstix,

Unlike in France, I have no evidence that the British trade worked that way. Adams and Tait (A&T) made a lot of barrels for the trade, but I don't think that they assembled them, most likely provided them in sets L/R. Most probably without the ribs, jointing, chambering, etc.
I don't know what this number means, except that W Richards might have bought that gun in the white from another maker.
This was standard practice. Both Webley and Scott did most of their business that way. Scott was making the vast majority of H&H guns until they had their own factory at the very end of the 19th. Webley made guns for most everyone. Even Purdey subed some guns to others including Henry.
Fraser himself had his custom actions built by Webley.
Best regards,
WC-