Author Topic: An Unusal Piece  (Read 5707 times)

Offline Feltwad

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An Unusal Piece
« on: December 06, 2008, 11:29:36 PM »
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



Ready to shoot


« Last Edit: December 06, 2008, 11:42:32 PM by Feltwad »

longrifle

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2008, 12:03:50 AM »
That is a very interesting gun. Was it smoothbore and used shot like a shotgun. I never have seen one like it before.

Offline 490roundball

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2008, 12:49:03 AM »
thanks feltwad,

I've seen poacher's rods before, but never the gun.


"It's a poor word that can't be spelt two ways" Tom Yeardley in Swanson's Silent Drum

Offline Feltwad

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2008, 01:50:56 AM »
Longrifle.

Yes it is smoothbore and used as a shotgun ,it is in 12 gage.

Feltwad

longrifle

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2008, 02:44:05 AM »
That's a neat gun   ;) Feltwad

longrifle

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2008, 05:42:39 AM »
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

Offline Feltwad

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2008, 10:12:26 AM »
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

R. Hare

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2008, 06:36:05 PM »
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.

doug

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2008, 07:50:42 PM »
     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

Offline Feltwad

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2008, 09:06:45 PM »
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

Offline Feltwad

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2008, 11:57:43 PM »
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.

 
This catch is also has a locking system which is spring loaded ,pushed to the side releases the pin in the barrel


This image shows the barrel released from the catch
« Last Edit: December 08, 2008, 12:09:46 AM by Feltwad »

longrifle

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2008, 12:53:10 AM »
That's a great gun.

doug

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Re: An Unusal Piece
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2008, 03:50:15 AM »
    thanks for the images of the hinge and the front lock.  Ingenious

thanks Doug