An Unusal Piece

[Feltwad]

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

[longrifle]

That is a very interesting gun. Was it smoothbore and used shot like a shotgun. I never have seen one like it before.

[490roundball]

thanks feltwad,

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

[Feltwad]

Longrifle.

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

Feltwad

[longrifle]

That's a neat gun    Feltwad

[longrifle]

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

[Feltwad]

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]

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]

     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

[Feltwad]

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

[Feltwad]

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

[longrifle]

That's a great gun.

[doug]

    thanks for the images of the hinge and the front lock.  Ingenious

thanks Doug