doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com From my Purdey file

bsteele, I have thought more about your thought "The “stops” on the outside of the lock plate seem stationary. I don’t see any bright spots where they have moved if they act in an internal firing pin mechanism."

Maybe the stops are not stationary. Purdey might have fabricated them so they would not make marks on the sideplates when moving forward. Afterall, it is Purdey. The stops would not have to move very far to push the firing pin into the centerfire primer. Argo's illustration might be a similar design with the hammers striking a stop that is connected to a hidden firing pin behind the lockplate. Does this make sense ?

I also can’t help but notice the hammer faces nor the stops appear to be aligned with the centerline of the bore. I suppose it could be some sort of trip for an internal firing pin? I think Purdey would have scoffed at adding another “sear” as it would only increase lock time.

My bet is the hammers are either passive cocking indicators in a self cocking design or they are used to manually cock the locks of a design similar to the Grey patent.

I sure wish we could see the patent info on the actions

In a similar, but unrelated discussion about a Moore and Grey gun there was a question as to why they used / retained the pinfire style hammers and it was discovered on the gun I had that it was a “non-rebounding” design and the hammers over the top of the barrels required they be put to half cock before the gun could be opened, thereby protecting the firing pin noses. If I recall correctly pulling the hammers mechanically retracted the firing pins.

So many fun guns!

Bsteele, those are interesting thoughts. I have never noticed if the Moore and Grey cocking levers pull the firing pins back when they are retracted or pulled back. I’ll check tomorrow and also post a picture of the Moore and Grey lock interior. I had guessed at times , since the Moore and Grey was such an early gun , that the hammer shaped cocking lever was to appease old timers who were hesitant to own a gun without that old timers look. Your idea makes sense.

I've sent an e-mail to Dr. Nick Harlow, the historian at Purdey to ask about the action. Also will put in a call to David Trevaillion (Crossed chisels) today. . haven't talked to him in a couple of years. Hopefully will get an answer. Gene

Bsteele, your thought was correct, the faux hammers/cocking levers on the Moore and Grey do pull the firing pins back when placed on half cock. This eliminates the possible interference from protruded firing pins when opening the gun, and the cocking levers prevent opening the gun until it is on half cock and firing pins are out of the way. Here's a picture of the inside of the Moore and Grey lock, Grey patent.

Argo, thanks for the assistance with crossed chisels and Purdey. It would be great if we hear from them.