doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Scott Imperial Premier

Not all Brit guns were flat top, my 1895 Alex Henry has all of its original finish and is pointed up, My Holland from 1924 is flat top. Both original condition and both best quality guns, just different approaches from each house. I do agree that the vast majority of British guns that American smiths refinish end up with pointed up checkering, no matter how they started out.
Steve

My Charles Lancaster started life in 1874 with flat top checkering.

Hey you naughty Lapin,

Does Lance still have a chance at an eighth or will Contador get it?

Back to topic: what I don't like about the checkering is the fleur-de-lis design.
De gustibus... you know how it goes.

JC

Vic, Mike Smart may well have some useful knowledge about the O/U,he was the finishing foreman at the end of W C Scotts. If he didn't finish it he probably knows who did etc., Worth a call to Richard Tandy or would you like me to do it?

I hope that was tongue in cheek. An occasional of topic post is no big deal. And I tell you what, if I was in the same position now as I was 8 1/2 years ago, I would post about my daughter in this part of the board instead of the ignored by most 'Misfire'.

If you all have become this anal you may want to take a break from your hobby as it has become way to serious.

As to checkering, I guess I hadn't been very clear. The 'smith I quoted was pointing out that flat top checkering was a price point issue, not the "Rule" for all British guns.

I find it humorous that folks seem to think there is ONLY ONE WAY something can be done to be original on British gun.

PS I think Contador wins his second w/ Armstrong in 2nd or 3rd

A price point issue? I'm more confused,or rather feel more ignorant. If it cost more for the flat top checkering,then we would see it more on the pricier guns but we don't. We just see it occasionally. So, it was a form of checkering that some sports preferred over the pointed checkering and Scott had a fondness for since we see it from the Monte Carlo up to the Premiers.
And yet I don't recall reading about the different methods in books of the vintage era,and beyond. I can't remember it in Greener,Walsh,or Burrard. So if someone can steer me to some material I would appreciate it.
There are many ways that things are done and often they are all the correct way. Don't interperet interest in one method as singlemindedness. Justin

Speaking for myself now as I am not going to keep involving friends who are 'smiths in this thread.

Flat top checkering was, I am sure a preference of some buyers and some sellers.

It seems to ME that flat top checkering would be more forgiving of errors in the original making and more tolerant to damage during its life.

I'm no expert by any means but having done a little checkering I would have to disagree with you...I would think the flat top style was less forgiving when executing.

Ps...I wouldn't put much stock in what an American gunsmith said about why the English did anything.

Roy:

Thanks for the contact info, Roy

Salopian: I can get Richard, did not know Mike worked for Scott's, if you know any other old hands from Scotts please p.m. me. Thanks.

Read for comprehension. In my last post I said it was MY opinion.

I still think it is silly to say that flat top checkering is the only proper style for British guns. There are original examples of both styles extant.

Some were surprised that the Imperial's actually had original 'Fleur de lis' style checkering.