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Frank Hipgrave 20 bore Bar Action Hammergun With 28-3/8” Nitro Damascus Barrels
Guns International #: 102199983 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Shotguns - English Double - Hammer Shotguns
Seller's Information
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Seller: MacNab
Company: MacNab Fine Firearms
Member Since: 6/30/07
State: Virginia
Zip: 24523
Country: United States
Phone: (704) 796-6364
Number of Active Listings: 38
Total Number of Listings: 949
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Cashiers Check, U.S. Postal Money Order, Personal Check
Description:
*** SOLD *** Undoubtedly this gun is the work of the Birmingham gun trade where a well organised workforce cooperated to manufacture guns for nearly every gunmaker in Britain to retail. As well as well-known gunmakers, their client lists included many smaller enterprises who bought in guns, often fully finished, to be put on a rack and sold as their own product. Frank Hipgrave was just such a retailer. Born 1852 in Pirton, Hertfordshire, he had premises in St Neots where his only son, Frank (2), was born in 1878. What his main trade was then is unrecorded but he may have been a tobacconist as by 1881 he had moved to London and was registered at 127 Strand, Westminster as a cigar dealer. There is an interesting parallel with the illustrious Harris Holland who also owned a tobacconist before he became a gun dealer and the founding member of the famous gunmaker Holland & Holland. This gun is a nice example of the elegant, small bore, sporting hammerguns that were commonly purchased for young people and ladies in the last quarter of the 19th Century. These guns have often had a very hard life and it is rare that the original Damascus barrels have survived over 140 years of use and abuse. The fact that these have done so, still retained their original nitro re-proof from 1962 and very acceptable minimum wall thicknesses is a miracle and this, coupled with our sensitive restoration, makes it a rare and pretty gun for either game or clays. Presented in a Brady leather bound, canvas case with some accessories. *** Recently refurbished by Toby Barclay of Heritage Guns in the UK this Hipgrave 20 bore hammergun, no. 1021, was made in the period 1875 – 80. The action is of traditional design and features: Double triggers; Stanton patent rebounding, bar action locks with low-level hammers; Sprung strikers; Pinfire style percussion fences; Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of Hall’s patent leverwork; Long top strap; Deeley & Edge forend catch. Engraving style Foliate Scroll. Gun weight 5lb 11oz. Trigger pulls measure approx.: Front trigger 3 ¾ lbs Rear trigger 4 ½ lb. The bold damascus barrels are 28 3/8” in length, chambered for 2 ½ " (65mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs. There is a little vestigial pitting in both barrels. Top rib is of smooth, concave game type. Birmingham reproof for 2 ½” (65mm) nitro powder cartridges in 1962. The right barrel is bored 0.623 with a constriction of 0.003 for Skeet choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.026. The left barrel is bored 0.619 and has a constriction of 0.000 for Cylinder choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.027. This choking is an upland gunner’s dream for quail, woodcock or grouse. *** The Straight-hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured English walnut, features a ¾” leather covered recoil pad and a vacant white metal oval. The stock is lightly cast-off for a right handed shooter. The forend features a horn tip and has an inlet repair within the checkering opposite the rear forend iron screw. The 20 lines per inch checkering has been cleaned out and refreshed.The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface. Stock dimensions are 14-1/2” including a 3/4” leather recoil pad by 1-1/2” by 2-1/8”. Very slightly cast off for the righthanded shot. *** Because British 12 bores were so light not many small bores were ever manufactured. So, it is rare to find one with decent length barrels and length of pull. What a beautiful little gun to take afield. *** Buyer is responsible for all shipping, insurance, and any other related charges. I give a 3-day non-firing inspection period and will only accept returns at buyer’s expense. US Agent for Heritage Guns UK. *** Come and see this great double and other fine shotguns at the MacNab booth at the World Side-by-Side Championship & Exhibition (AKA Vintage Gunners Cup) September 7th – September 9th, 2023 at Warrington Sporting Clays in Wellsville, PA.
SOLD
Antique: Yes