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Sidelock
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Could this gun be an early 1892 perhaps? The bakelite forend decoration and the later butt-plate makes me think it's a later gun, even into 1893.

Also...

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
1901 & 1890 guns as examples of Fulton and Syracuse Elsie production.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
1891 Quality 1 and 1890 Quality 2

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
The bolsters on the bottom of the action evolved rapidly away (too much hand fitting!). 1891 Quality 1 on top, 1890 Quality 2 on bottom.By 1893-4 they were all flat-bottomed.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
1890 Quality 2 gun in 12 ( 1st year of production @ Fulton) w/escutcheon on forend

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
1886 Syracuse 10 gauge Quality 3? (not my gun btw) The Syracuse guns could be quite pretty.

Zero mass-production lends itself to that better perhaps...

Last edited by Lloyd3; 04/13/26 04:15 PM.
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Sidelock
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The gun on the R in the first pic has Syracuse style ribs and rectangular barrel lug. Depending on the SN it could be a transition gun. I do not believe the Syracuse guns had the dog head FE insert.
Long thread regarding transition guns
https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/1692625950.html

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Sidelock
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What is the proper term for them Dr. Drew, I've seen them referred to as frame "bolsters" and "ribs"?

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Sidelock
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This is what Hollowell says
https://www.hallowellco.com/reinforced_frame.htm

Researcher posted pics of Parkers with both side clips and bolsters here
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forum...p;Board=1&main=47383&type=thread

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Sidelock
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Dr. Drew:

The features I'm referring to are on the bottom and sides of the main body of action. The one British gun I've owned with them (a back-action John Blanch) has even been referred to as having a "drooping bar".

The feature Hollowell is referencing here is re-inforcing (strengthening) the angle between the water table and the standing breech, not the bottom of the action.

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Sidelock
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The strengthening embellishment on the sides of the action are "bolsters"
This is the Ithaca Crass "Reinforced Frame"

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

I've never seen a L.C. Smith Maker, Syracuse ad or catalog naming the embellishment on the bottom of the action. Houchins called them "sculptured ribs" and "concave ribs".

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Sidelock
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Well...you have bolstered breeches and then bolstered frames IMHO.

Dr. Drew's Ithaca advert reminded me of this one.

A double-ribbed gun? No, it is a "double bolstered gun" with a double-thick breech...

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

A comparison of early Fulton butplates (and drop at heel)...

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Gutta Percha and Bakelite.

Last edited by Lloyd3; 04/14/26 09:53 AM.
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