AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Feltwad on December 06, 2008, 11:29:36 PM
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I have enclosed a couple of images of an unusual gun which here in the UK is known as a {Poachers Gun}.These guns were used by many different purposes but the poachers adopted them because they were easily dismantled and placed inside an overcoat pocket . When he saw a pheasant over the hedge he would take out his gun shoot the pheasant if he was lucky and put it in a pocket dismantle his gun and replace it in this inside pocket and proceed on his way
The gun has a skeleton iron stock which folds forwad over the action the barrels when dismantle can be parted in the middle to reduce the length.
Feltwad
The gun dismantled
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi79.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj152%2FRamrod_2006%2FP1010006.jpg&hash=fa2651facb7a4ff748569d924aa9bad6ef5aa512)
Ready to shoot
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi79.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj152%2FRamrod_2006%2FP1010001.jpg&hash=672f1f1371cad3bb7a68944f9dfd6c2e9498dee3)
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That is a very interesting gun. Was it smoothbore and used shot like a shotgun. I never have seen one like it before.
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thanks feltwad,
I've seen poacher's rods before, but never the gun.
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Longrifle.
Yes it is smoothbore and used as a shotgun ,it is in 12 gage.
Feltwad
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That's a neat gun ;) Feltwad
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Hey Feltwad what would the approximate date be of that gun ? Are there any markings on it ? In the photo it look's like the breech end of the barrel is octagon is that correct ? Sorry so many questions but it is a interesting gun. Thank's
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Longrifle
The approx date for this gun is the middle of the percussion era 1835-40.It is Birmingham proofed and yes the barrel is octagon to round.
Feltwad
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That's a nice barrel, Feltwad.
Did it origianlly have a for-end and rammer?
For night work, I can imagine our poacher chap leaving half the barrel at home!
Richard.
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I would like to see the take down joint between the skeleton butt and the lock area; I can't quite visualize how it goes together. Looks like a sort of bayonet type fitting. I also get the impression that there once was a forestock perhaps held on by a barrel band. Notice the metal extension in the front end of the existing wood.
Interesting gun.
cheers Doug
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Richard this type of gun did not have a for-end or a ramrod ,you carried a take down rod that like the the barrel came in two pieces and could be put in an inside pocket.
Doug
I will take and post some images of the connecting of the skeleton butt to the lock area and post later and also the the barrel fixing
Feltwad
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As promised I have enclosed images of the locking system of the skeleton stock and the barrel .
Feltwad
The button is spring loaded and when pressed this releases the catch.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi79.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj152%2FRamrod_2006%2FP1010002-7.jpg&hash=14eede53532cbf1f0196109c02a304c09305c849)
This catch is also has a locking system which is spring loaded ,pushed to the side releases the pin in the barrel
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi79.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj152%2FRamrod_2006%2FP1010004-3.jpg&hash=105a38b976f94831f0fabba795f8a9d45eef8825)
This image shows the barrel released from the catch
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi79.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj152%2FRamrod_2006%2FP1010007-2.jpg&hash=74ea3f5cafb65e4fd48894d39935379524c3155c)
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That's a great gun.
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thanks for the images of the hinge and the front lock. Ingenious
thanks Doug