Steve Hopkins, UK

This rather nice hammerless side lock was first proofed between 1875 – 1887 and has the address Perrins & Son 59 Broad St Worcester which puts it between 1879 – 1892. This means that it was manufactured in the eight year period between 1879 and 1887. The gun was in very poor order when Lew Potter, gunsmith of Evesham restored it to it’s present excellent condition. It was re-proofed for nitro between 1954 – 1989.

There is a patent No 800 with a logo on the action flats, which with further research, may provide an even closer date. There is also another patent number of Watson 22151 on the push rod forend which may also yield more information.

The gun has an interesting shape to the double bite lock and has a dolls head extension. The side plates are nicely engraved with dog and bird hunting scenes. The underneath of the action is also heavily engraved with scroll work.

The gun has top leaver opening and a top safety catch.

The attractive piece of wood has top and toe metal caps with a set of nice Damascus barrels finishing off a very desirable gun, which heralded in the era of the hammerless gun.