doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New toy - some questions

Photobucket was down earlier. Here is my Bland 20 SLNE with dolls head 3rd fastner.

Look at the number 1 in the 3rd photo. I wonder if the barrels started out for a pair of guns?

You can see the Bland, T B & S marks on the barrels and the B in a triangle.

Made 11/18/1895 ordered with just border engraving. Similar in some ways to Terry's higher grade gun, screw locations, etc.

I did the barrel browning after practicing on some scrap barrels. They are a little dark for me, but then you get what the barrels (and my experience) will yield.

So Mark, are they brothers or just distant cousins?

Joe

Wow guys, lots of info & similar guns.

Mine is SN 15303, considerably plainer than others shown, also differs in that it has no rib extension, and lock plate seems to me to be daintier (less tall, mor elongateted).

This one weighs 5lb 4oz, how about yours?

Also mine has not been reproofed, what preasure should I aim for as a ceiling guys? I have shot it with gamebore 2.5's but hope to reload and shoot more.

Thanks again.

Mark

My Thomas Bland is a 12 bore SN12810 with nitro reproved Damascus30 inch barrels with "doll's head rib extension. Plain side locks marked "T. Bland & Sons". Top rib marked "Thomas Blan & Sons 2 King William Street West Strand London". Watertable marked "TB&S" with "B" in a diamond. Barrel flats are marked "NITRO PROOF 1 1/8"

Best Regards, George

Hi Daryl, Re your question, I will attach a couple pics of the extension and bite.
Mark, Mine weighs 5 lbs. 8 oz. You haven't said whether you have checked bore diameter and barrel wall thickness. If not, you might want to check this out before making a decision on suitable loads for it.

Joe, that's a nice, stout, modern reproof on yours. I note that yours lacks the original "maximum" stamp of Mark's gun, which puts it just before the 1896 proof rules went into effect. It's also interesting to note that the R barrel on yours was originally 21--an underbore. Those old gauge marks are a very good way to tell how much the bores have been honed since they passed proof.

If she is in proof; ascertainable by measuring the bore at 9" from the breech face, and the gun is tight and free from deep pitting she should be o.k. for 2 1/2" smokeless ammo. Standard load for these is around 13/16" ounce. It tends to defeat the object of having a lightweight English 20 bore to try to use heavier loads in it. Use light loads and enjoy the fast handling. Lagopus.....

My gun letters,1895 for SN 14649, so the original pre-1896 proofs are spot on, datewise. It still has the correct lop after all these years, 14 15/16". My gun is 5 1/4 lbs.
I usually shoot light 7/8 oz 2 1/2" that I load or RSTs. I never put any modern stuff (SAAMI) in it. The barrels have been honed, the right barrel now has some choke (.010/.030)
The Brits will tell you the 70mm proof is a good length. All their shells are CIP pressure anyway, so this proof means you can shoot what you find at the range, 65 or 70 mm.
Originally it had a leather makers case with accessories. The two have parted. At least I know what style of case to look for.

Joe

Here are some additional pics as requested, having some difficulty capturing damascus pattern.

I am unable to measure the bore on this gun, my tools wont fit the 20, but barrel wall thickness exceeds my expectations on such a tiny gun (min 0.030), no pits, appear pristine.

would 8000 psi be a safe target?