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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594 |
I've had this gun since 2016. An associate of mine was running the gun room at the Cabelas in Lonetree and he made me a generous offer on an early M31 I was tendering in trade. Because it was the two gauge (.410/28) combo and likely because nobody knew much about Dickenson's then (other than that they were "Turkish" [it had evidently also been around that gun room for some time]), in the end, I had to lay out very little money for it. The triggers were horrendous and I had my buddy ship it directly to Dickenson's designated service facility (in Oregon, I believe) and after much discussion (even involving some minor threats) it was returned to me with 3 1/2 and 4 lb pulls totally free of charge (which on a 5 1/4 lb gun is the upper limit for decent). I've always enjoyed the fiddleback, but the finish on it was a bit thin from day one, so I recently employed the services of yet another associate to add an additional layer of oil to protect it better from the elements up on our northern border. [/url
[url=https://imgur.com/aq8EwKn]A true round-body trigger plate action, and with lovely bone-charcoal hardening throughout (which shockingly....reminds me very much of David McKay Brown's lovely creations) and with adult dimensions and 28-inch tubes. It's modern steel easily digests modern ammunition and it even has choke tubes (in the 28-bore barrels). Because of our current munitions drought, it will serve this year to help extend my limited supply of 16 RSTs up there We taped off the checkering and hit it with Minwax Spar Urethane spray (only the finest for my high-dollar guns). Completed pix to follow.
Last edited by Lloyd3; 09/10/21 07:30 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
Looks to be a very decent gun. A mite short on engraving, but very suitable for stated purpose. At stated weight, it is likely to be either a "magic wand" or a "whippy little zitch" depending on who is on the wood end. Nice photos, BTW.
DDA
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
While it may remind you of a DMB or a Dickson, but it absolutely looks nothing like them internally or externally.
Internally, your Dickinson looks exactly like a Japanese made SKB. It lacks the type of mainsprings used in those Scottish RA guns, among a myriad of other differences.
Externally, the action shape isn’t even close to as rounded as a DMB, Dickson or MacNaughton. A manufrance Ideal is much more rounded than these Dickinsons are.
It does look to be nicely finished up though. Case coloring is very nice. A couple of friends who I shoot with own them and they seem very happy with them, especially for the amount of money laid down for them. (Less than $1500).
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1 member likes this:
FelixD |
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,162 Likes: 1155
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,162 Likes: 1155 |
I have enjoyed mine a great deal over the last 6 years. Zero mechanical issues. Love the strong ejectors. Accepted for what it is, it can be enjoyed. Put up beside London or Edinburgh guns, not so much.
Here's the thing about these guns ............ I've looked long and hard for 30" barreled .410 S X Ss (we won't even broach the subject of 32" barreled ones). They're as scarce as hen's teeth. I've bought two new ones in the last six years, the Dickinson and the FAIR Iside TG. If I could find a Parker it would cost me $40K, or more, and would look totally out of proportion because of the frame size (IMO). Vintage thirty-inch barreled .410 S X Ss are nearly non-existent, American or English. A custom built Italian one will cost you a small fortune. Dickinsons and Isides fill a void, albeit a fairly small one, for a niche group of us who love long-legged small bores. That's good enough, IMO.
The finish you used improved the looks Lloyd, and surely gives more protection. When I get the crop all in I'm going to try my hand at putting a sanded-in, Pilkington type finish on mine. I really like the way that finish looks, when done right. There's a thread way back about six years ago where someone showed a Dickinson they had Mark Larson finish, and it really looked good, too.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86 |
Inside it's still a Turkish turd....
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,001 Likes: 65
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,001 Likes: 65 |
That was my Larsonized Dickinson, Stan. Changed my handle here to DoubleTake (previously Dave Erickson). In the end I didn't shoot it well enough, but now have a 30" 16 gauge Iside that weighs 6 oz. less and for whatever reasons it really shoots well for me. Both good and practical guns.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594 |
I have no illusions about what this gun is or isn't. It simply fills a slot in my battery of guns and like the rest, it has a job to do. The fact that it does it fairly well now (after many interventions to make it what I think I need) explains a lot about why it cost me so-little to acquire it. Would I like to own a DMB or a McNaughton instead? Absolutely. Can I justify the significant investment needed to acquire such a toy? Probably not. It's extremely light and yet I actually shoot it fairly well, a pocket full of 28s weigh almost nothing (when compared to a pocket of 12s), and.... for the most part it's attractive to look at and fun to use. No downside here, and in my mind...a fairly good value. Where am I wrong? My goal in posting this little missive was to illustrate the minimal effort needed to make this weapon useful and pleasant to employ. Sub-gauge guns often exist in a place that many can't justify exploring. These guns can allow for that to happen in a reasonable and practical way.
Last edited by Lloyd3; 09/10/21 07:17 PM.
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1 member likes this:
Cold Iron |
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
You’re not wrong it all!! It just shouldn’t remind you or anyone of a DMB or any other Scottish RA. Why, because it’s nothing like them. Not in aesthetics. Not in fit or finish. Not in anything. Exactly the same way a RBL is in no way similar to a RA.
It’s a nice, well priced, fully functional Turkish made trigger plate gun, and you & others really seem to enjoy shooting. Nothing is ever wrong with that!
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,112 Likes: 594 |
Completed project... Didn't really change much (started out satin, ended satin), but now I won't worry about getting it out in the rain (that urethane is truly impervious). At least it doesn't look so darn dried-out... It is somewhat sacrilegious (at least here) to compare this to a DMB or other Scottish product, but neither is it just another boxlock. It is clearly different from most of the other low-buck offerings and is probably why they're no-longer so cheap (if you can find one).
Last edited by Lloyd3; 09/10/21 05:16 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,755 Likes: 30
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,755 Likes: 30 |
Beware of Dickinson guns. I will share a horror story of absolutely the worst customer service and shade tree mechanic gunsmithing repair done by Dickinson on one of their SxS's. waiting for photos. after seeing what happened to a friend/client of mine with his, no way would I buy one. and Ill name names and give full details of what they did and show the proof. they were given plenty of opportunities and time to make it right after making it wrong. They didnt come through. they basically blew him off with more excuses.
Brian LTC, USA Ret. NRA Patron Member AHFGCA Life Member USPSA Life Member
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