Neil Gregory

Breech Hammer Shotgun

Neil hasn't been able to get up to a meet. At first appearance the gun is a nice quality side lever breech loading 12 bore - but then it gets interesting.

It has non rebounding hammers - which makes it an early breech loader. It doesn't look like a conversion. The proof marks make it pre 1875 - so again - early for a breech loader. And then we come to the name and address - it just says 'Perrins' but we know they changed to Perrins & son in 1855 - well before breech loaders. Then we see the address No. 12 St Marys Row, Birmingham. I suspect, but can't be sure, that this gun was sold by Edward Robinson Perrins, brother to John senior, who was a specialist barrel maker at that address and we see his initials ERP on many, many guns, not just Perrins.

Fascinating gun which would be a great restoration project to get the old girl talking again.