Does anyone have any information on existing Crofts Patent actions?
Here is a 12-bore bar-in-wood pinfire gun by Reuben? Hambling of Salford, Manchester. The top rib is marked 27 New Bailey St. Salford Manchester, and the locks are marked Hambling. While the Hambling gunmakers are known from Blackawton, Devon (William Bartlett Hambling, William Baker Hambling, James Hambling, John Hambling, John Hambling, Charles George Hambling, Hiram Bartlett Hambling, Henry Hambling and Reuben Hambling), from genealogical information Reuben Hambling was living in Manchester around the time of this gun, circa 1866-1868, so I presume he made this gun there.
The action is a John Crofts patent rotating cam bolt single bite snap action (patent 1033 of 11 April 1866), and the action bar is stamped Crofts Patent. The right side of the lever is straight, while the left side is slightly curved. If you have Volume One of Crudgington and Baker, the action is described on pages 149-150, though not from an actual gun.
Has anyone encountered this action on other guns, either pinfires or early centre-fires?
