John,
Gough Thomas and I had a private exchange of letters regarding his method of speed-using the double. He was an interesting man!
Inorder to open the top lever one handed the stock must be trapped between the elbow and trunk. I defy anyone to open a top lever without support of the butt and not lose his gun! Thomas agreed that it was so and his stock bore the scars to prove it he said.
It is difficult. I have a Henry Atkin Spring Opener - and I can't do it, but I have small (and not particularly strong) hands. I knew someone who always did it with a Purdey. I'm not sure how exactly, but I don't recall the stocks being marked.
Incidentally, Gough Thomas's Henry Atkin was sold at Bonhams earlier this month (Dec 4th?)
http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/15159/It made just under 17,000 (GBP) inclusive of commission I believe.
