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Henry W. Egg 12 Bore “Two Inch” Hammergun | Rare J. Thomas Patent Snap-Action Underlever | Engraved Skeletal Buttplate
Guns International #: 103145109 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Shotguns - English Double - Shotguns - English Double Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: BritishDoubles
Company: British Doubles
Member Since: 5/26/24
First Name: John
State: North Carolina
Zip: 27701
Country: United States
Phone: (919) 907-0925
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Check
About Us: At British Doubles, our mission is to provide upland hunters and collectors with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions when buying and selling vintage English sporting arms. British Doubles aims to ensure the process is both transparent and enjoyable, so you can collect with confidence and trust.
Description:
A scarce and mechanically distinctive Henry Egg "two Inch" 12 bore hammergun, built on the J. Thomas snap-action underlever patent No. 324 of 1870. This rare patent is seldom encountered today, and almost never in this configuration—with a rotating snap-action underlever and 2" cambering.
The Thomas design employs a turret set on a vertical axis, visible through a slot cut in the action face. As the barrels are closed, the turret captures a tongue projection on the rear of the back barrel lump—locking the barrels securely in place. While most surviving examples of this patent are found with topelevers, this particular gun is the only rotating underlever version known to have surfaced in the marketplace.
This gun was produced during the tenure of Henry William Egg, who took over his father’s firm in 1869, renaming it under his own name. Born in 1845 in St. James, Egg was listed in the 1871 census as a gunsmith employing seven men, two boys, and one woman. The firm traded until 1880, and its guns reflect a standard of workmanship passed down through the family, who had acquired Joseph Manton’s business in 1839—one of the most prestigious legacies in British gunmaking.
This example features percussion-style fences, rebounding backaction locks, and fine foliate scroll engraving, which remains crisp and clear. The highly figured stock is fitted with an engraved skeletal buttplate, and shows a small chip below the right lock. The Damascus barrels retain a beautiful brown and ring clear, with only a few scattered shallow pits present. The gun is tight on the face, with excellent mechanical function.
A fascinating and possibly unique example from the transitional era of British sporting gun design.
Details:
Date of Manufacture: 1875
FFL Status: Antique
Ejector: No
Weight: 6lb 12oz
Barrel Type: Damascus
Barrel Length: 30"
Chamber Length: 2"
Black Powder Proof: BLK PDR Re-proof .729
Bore Diameter:
Right: .730
Left: .732
Minimum Wall Thickness (Thou):
Right: 26
Left: 22
Choke:
Right: .000
Left: .000
Stock Dimensions
LOP: 14 3/8" to Skeletal Buttplace
DOC: 1 3/4"
DOH: 2 11/16"
Cast: Neutral
Free standard shipping with free returns
Price: $2,900.00
Antique: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge
Manufacturer: Henry W. Egg
Serial Number: 3696
Barrel Length: 30
Chambers: 2
Barrels: Damascus
Stock Comb: 1 3/4
Stock Heel: 2 11/16
Stock Cast: neutral
LOP: 14 3/8
Weight: 6lb 12oz
Choke Left: .000 cyl
Choke Right: .000 cly
Proof:Black: Black Re-proof .729
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 22 Thou
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 26 Thou