My latest hunting hammergun...

http://i.imgur.com/IzFv1sAh.jpg

Early 1870s John Blissett & Son, non-rebounder, pre-choke boring, 30-inch tubes and a long LOP but still slim, light, and lively.

http://i.imgur.com/oeQoCZJh.jpg

Beautiful Lloyd!





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Very nice Lloyd. Are your barrels nitro proofed? I have a John Blissett and son hammer with a Jones Under Lever on its way from a fellow member here on the forum. The serial number of mine coming is in the 4300’s.

Mr. Buckley: They are, went through London Proof in 2021 to 850 BAR.

http://i.imgur.com/B0U0W8Fh.jpg

It always takes me a while to recognise laminated steel but that's what these tubes are. Not quite as pretty as Damascus but nearly always stronger.

http://i.imgur.com/vxtj9Duh.jpg

Interesting lock-up on this gun as well, a single bite J. Thomas Patent gun (#324 of 1870). Can't date this gun exactly as information for the Blissett guns is limited. Nigel Brown's book seems to be the best source but even it has challenges (ie., insufficient serial number data points). Using the top rib name and address and the Thomas's Patent date this gun was likely completed in the very early 1870s.

The serial number (1108) would have it being made in 1832 which is clearly not the case.

http://i.imgur.com/syU20Fih.jpg

Love those percussion fences...

http://i.imgur.com/rIj5u5Fh.jpg

& those close and high hammers.

Correction, just got the barrel flats examined by youger eyes than mine, this gun went through London proof in 1991.

http://i.imgur.com/Z4LRMdfh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MImi23Vh.jpg

Laminated Steel and Twist on display here. While these guns are similar in their dimensions, the English gun weighs in at 6lbs11 and the Parker is closer to 7 1/4 lbs. At the end of a long day of hunting, that 1/2 of a pound will likely be noticeable to me (in a good way!) but... what I will likely miss are the chokes in the Parker (full & full), the British gun was made before choke boring.

http://i.imgur.com/REsQsJZh.jpg

I do like how these hammers nestle so tightly into the nipples too.

I hope to find a small bore at the Southern

Bill

Sorry, I completely missed this question. It is a P. Webley. made before the joining of the two companies. When I purchased it I learned a lot of the proof and marking history while researching it. The whole educational factor is one of the things I really enjoy about the hobby. I often find that one tiny mark on the action or barrel can divulge a ton of information about the gun. One very rare German gun had one proof mark only used on one day that revealed much info about it.

I once purchased a relatively old small Martini that preceded the whole Cadet period. Beautiful gun that was actually built in Australia by the largest gunmaker and and gunsmith business in all of Australia in the 19th century. The entire history of the maker is a study of fortuitous events and timing and led to a major player in the firearms field. I amassed several hundred pages of background info. I also through the proofmarks and cryptic action marks was able to determine the supplier of the rather rare small action that was used as a basis for the gun. That's one reason I gravitate toward oddball guns. They tend to be unique and often have interesting histories and stories.