doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com John Blissett & Son island lock hammer gun, #1108

Maybe you have someone else's gun rebarreled by Blissett and Son. Serial no. 1108 makes no sense for the 1870s as Blissett would have been in business for 40 years by then. Is your gun marked Blissett on the locks ? Are you sure of the "use number" actually being such ? In 1878 Blissett's serial numbers were in the 5000 range.

Finally...







Nice wood, eh? and I love those percussion fences.


Daryl: No, it says "John Blissett & Son" on the locks and the numbers match on every section of the gun (trigger guard, action flats, and barrel lug). Perhaps the number range changed when the son joined? Perhaps the records have some issues? No matter really.

Can't go much further with it at the moment.

What else...6lbs11, 14 3/4 LOP, 30-inch 2-bar damascus tubes, nice bores, no chokes. Looks like a bit of cast off with some toe twist, somewhere close to 1 1/2 and 2 1/2.

I'll measure it more thoroughly and then troll through the books at the shop next week sometime.

An obscure one, for sure.

I think the 1108 is a patent use number, not a serial number. Without info on the actual serial number and proofmarks it would be just a guess.

Just for you info it's not an island lock it's a peninsula lock. Island locks are completely surrounded by the stock wood. A very nice looking hammergun.

I believe I mentioned that earlier, but thankyou.

I am not sure of the numbers from the pictures, but could it be Pat. 324 from 1870 ?

British Patent 324 of 1870, registered in England, was granted to J. Thomas, a Birmingham gunmaker, for an improved single-bite, snap-action mechanism for shotguns. This patent, often referred to as the Thomas patent action, was significant in the development of breech-loading firearms and was licensed or used by various gun manufacturers during that era.

Daryl: Thank you, that makes sense as this unit has a curious lock-up on the back lug.

I can understand why you might think the 1108 number is the use number here but why would it be stamped everywhere?

Thanks , Ted!

Lloyd, Imgur decided to restrict access to UK users as they were concerned that they might incur liabilities under our new Online Safety Act.

Paul Roberts of J. Roberts and Son has just bought in a Jones hammer 12 bore by John Manton and Coe (sic) 1869+1871 vintage with a wedge fore-end retainer.

Interestingly it has later been converted (circa 1890) to selective ejectors.

Coming at you….

Best,
Ted

Pretty sure our English Brothern will have a high degree in interest in this gun. Hopefully, these pictures are viewable in Olde Blighty.

Best,
Ted