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James Erskine of Scotland 12 gauge hammergun exceptional Damascus in proof.
Guns International #: 101673530 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Shotguns - English Double Antique - Hammer Shotguns
Seller's Information
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Seller: brandonhal
Company:
Member Since: 2/23/14
First Name: Brandon
Last Name: Halstead
State: State not Found
Zip: 09468
Country: United Kingdom
Phone:
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 29
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: paypal; certified bank check
Description:
James Erskine of Scotland 12 gauge hammergun exceptional Damascus in proof.
This piece has received an offer on another site, so please contact me soonest if you're interested in purchasing. James Erskine has a prominent place among Scotland’s most famous gunmakers such as John Dickson and James MacNaughton, and like these groundbreaking Scottish innovators, “James Erskine became famous for two things: The exceptional quality and beauty of his Damascus barrels, and an eponymous cartridge-loading machine” (Terry Wieland, Vintage British Shotguns). This antique back lock action sidelock hammergun is no exception, with extraordinary Damascus barrels whose photographs do not do it justice.
The Erskine family had gunmaking roots going back over 200 years to 1716, with brothers James and John continuing the family’s skilled tradition and designing award-winning shotguns at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851, and a highly successful business in Newton Stewart, Scotland. Although this beautiful example does not have any serial number, the maker’s name bolsters the bold Damascus game rib reading “JAMES ERSKINE NEWTON STEWART.” This particular example displays 1866 patent characteristics and toplever release, and a choked left barrel (with chokes seeing first use circa 1875) indicating a mid to late 1870’s manufacture, and is an antique which qualifies for direct shipment to any purchaser.
In very handsome condition, the sidelocks are hand-engraved in ornate acanthus scrollwork and roundels, with finely detailed border engraving and highlights throughout the locks, trigger guard, floorplate, toplever, topstrap, and fences. The internal springs which retract the firing pins when cocked are both functioning well, and the face, flats and action are virtually spotless, with “TRADE MARK ALPHA” stamped on the action flats. The non-rebounding hammers have strong mainsprings and similar engraving. The triple-bite action locks up tight with absolutely no play or looseness.
This pre-1898 antique reflects the original “13” annotation on both barrel flats indicating antique bore measurements (.719 by modern measurements) when it was originally black powder proof, as well as the original antique black powder proof marks from both Birmingham and London, including the provisional proof mark lion rampant over intertwined letters “GP” on the barrel rounds, definitive proof marks “GP” under a crown on the action flats, and view marks of crossed scepters on both the barrel flats and action flats. Chokes are fixed and measure approximately cylinder and ¼ choke for the right & left barrels respectively. The 30” barrels with brass sight bead have excellent measurements, and come in at 26,000 thousandths for the right wall, and 27,000 thousandths for the left wall thickness.
Contemporary re-proof marks show that it has undergone British Nitro Proof (NP) re-testing with the “STD” under crown on both barrel flats, the London re-proof mark of a script “R” under a crown, and both barrel flats also stamped confirming British Nitro Proof compliance with the London arm dexter in armour holding a scimitar over the letters “NP” indicating conformity with re-proofing measurements and standard “NITRO PROOF” compliance for 12 bore chambers (“12” over “C” in a diamond) and 2 & ½” (“65 mm”) shells. This Damascus metalwork reflects a mastery of barrel making; exceptional strength with lightweight and responsive handling. With continued good care and cleaning after each shoot, this collector’s item should offer great future hunting well into the next century – a future family heirloom for generations to come.
As Terry Wieland highlights in his book “Vintage British Shotguns,” he states “If you buy an English gun… and the proof marks show it has been nitro proofed – that is, proven with smokeless powder – you know it’s safe to shoot with loads of the length and gauge marked.” The barrel bores are mirrors with only one or two faintest surface-level marks on the interior, while the outer barrels have minimal wear and consistent patina between the barrels and game rib. No other barrel marks, pitting or damage. Virtually spotless condition on the interior action as well, with no pitting and zero powder marks on the breech, flats and face.
The figured stock has nice checkering throughout the hand and a handsome dark grain with almost no handling marks, with a brass oval on underside of the stock suitable for engraving. With the professionally-matched buttplate, the stock has an overall 15” length of pull. Nicely checkered splinter fore-end with engraved base and tip. Superb handling and responsiveness with an overall light weight of only 6 lbs. 5 oz., the slightly longer barrels and stock offer well balanced shooting. This is probably the best-handling hammergun in my collection and one of my favorites for multiple recent pheasant seasons.
In total, almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 150+ year old antique, other than a few very faint handling marks as mentioned above. Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture. It’s also an investment-grade antique that can be taken into the field without the worry or expense of a large five or six figure outlay, offering the opportunity to purchase a fully functional antique masterpiece by one of Scotland’s finest gunmakers.
With the growing popularity of wildfowling using classic British shotguns, and especially hammer-gun shooting, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank or the worry of carrying the equivalent of a small mortgage in your hands when you take this showpiece to the field. Affordable luxury; ready for your next century of shooting!
This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a US military family stationed in the UK, and ship at an insured and flat rate of $125; usually takes less than a month to arrive in the US. However, for purchases at or above listing price I will cover the cost of shipping. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic English shotguns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, British, English, double barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, sidelock, shotgun, shot gun, hammer, hammergun, hammer gun, lightweight, Purdey, Boss & Co, Holland & Holland.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge
Manufacturer: James Erskine
Bore: 12 gauge
Chambers: 2 & 1/2
Condition: antique
Metal Condition: Damascus twist
Bore Condition: mirror
Barrels: sxs
Triggers: 2x
Stock: English straight-hand
Fore End: splinter
LOP: 15
Rib: game
Weight: 6 lbs. 5 oz.
Chokes: fixed
Choke Left: 1/4
Choke Right: cylinder
Proof:Nitro: yes
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 26,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 27,000