doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Thomas Turner Lightweight 12 BLNE

In an earlier thread about my Poli, I mentioned my Thomas Turner LW 12 BLNE. I finally got around to taking photos, so here goes.

Thomas Turner worked to lighten a 12 bore in the early 1890s to 20 bore weight. He did this by shortening the forend by scalloping or hollowing the stock.

The gun has fine damascus 28" barrels, 2 1/2" nitro-proof and is choked 8/28. The action lockup is double underlugs with a dolls head 3rd fastner.

The total weight is 5 lb, 11 oz. This gun has all of the handling dynamics of the 2" game gun of the 1930s. It was 40 years ahead of it's time. This gun shoots standard 2 1/2" loads and is deadly on quail.

The address on the rib, 19 Brook St, London, dates the gun between 1884-1891. I tend to think it is later than 1888 because the original proof marks are post 1888.

The gun:



The action close-up:



The stock:



The shortened forend next to a standard length forend.



The scalloped stock was thinned to 3/8".



The stock has a toe-plate to protect it and the button was move to the top of the stock.




Joe

Does the Turner have a good balance point? It must have been a real challenge to keep it a well balanced gun. It does look like you could carry it all day.

I've shot this one at quail. Sure doesn't take much time to get it moving - but she does kick a bit with Westley 1 1/16-oz loads. Balance is actually pretty good and you're right. It carries like a feather.

That is a wonderful example of a very cool gun. Thank you for the photos.

There's one on Guns International.

Wild stuff.

I do see a few of these guns here in England but I can't say that they appeal to me. I have seen one double 20 bore hammer gun that was marked Holland & Holland but was obviously a Turner lightweight and doubtless made by him for Hollands. I have a Turner hammer gun, but not a lightweight, and it is very well made; as were most Turner guns. Lagopus.....

Tom, you're a brave soul! I think I'd stick with some of the RST light stuff in that gun!

If we'd had some RST shells, that's what I'd have chosen, but it was the Westleys or nothing. I love to watch my dogs work, but when working with someone else's, I'm going to carry a loaded gun. Especially when bobs are involved - even pen-raised ones.

Very cool gun and thanks for posting the pictures and information on Turner.

Joe as an avid foot hunter of Bobwhite I know exactly what Mr. Turner was aiming for. The difference between carrying a 5-1/2 pound gun and a 6-1/2 pound gun sounds insignifigant. But after trailing after my Brittanys for 7 or 8 hours there is a huge difference between the two weights. I shoot a heavier gun better but I carry a lighter gun better.

Best,

Mike