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I own Stephen Grant SLE 6030 (side lever no 2 of a pair) delivered to it's original owner on 8 August 1889. This gun has the first series Stephen Grant ejector system which was designed by Stephen Grant the younger. Your 1894 Grant likely has the second series ejector system that does not require the tumblers (hammers) to have a cam shoulder at the bottom of the tumbler to move the ejector tripper arm to the left or right when the gun is fired--this was a significant improvement over the first series Grant ejector system. On my gun that I bought from Thad Scott about 20 years ago I had to completely rebuild the ejector and locks (new tumblers, bridles, ejector cocking links, cocking arms, locking bolts and a number of other parts) to restore it to first class position. I sent the gun over to England to reproofed for 2 3/4 inch and re-engraved the action afterwards.
I suspect that your Stephen Grant needs new cocking levers which are not difficult to make. I make them of O-1 alloy steel and would recommend to you that you ask your gunmaker to do the same. Of course, there may be other issues that need re-building as well.
Those of you who are reading this comment, will wonder why would I rebuild and restore my Stephen Grant and spend the great deal of time to do so and that is a very good question. Here is the answer. When I viewed the photos of Stephen Grant 6030 sent to me by Thad Scott I immediately saw that this Grant sidelever did not look like as it should--- it looked like a Boss gun--no fluted fences. When I received the Grant from Thad there was a whole litany of things wrong with it, but I wanted to disassemble the gun first before I sent it back to him (which I did not) and to see if it was what I suspected it to be (a John Robertson built Stephen Grant gun) Upon disassembly and examining the inside of the rear of the action there just as I expected was the stamped initials of John Robertson (J.R.) So what I received from Thad was a Grant gun that needed a complete repair (that I could do without spending thousands of dollars having done by another) and I also had what Donald Dallas told me later in a letter (and 2 years ago at the Southern side by side) the earliest known prototype of what would later be John Robertson's famous Boss SLE. --The action of my Grant has Chilton locks that are so early that they arre without a tumbler forward stop/anvil; and has the classic Boss style intercepting sears.
10 years ago I stopped by Boss workshop at Kew Bridge north of London and showed them the photos of my Stephen Grant 6030 of 1889 and they were equally amazed as I was when I received it from Thad.
Before I forget about it I need to say that this Grant SLE does not have the original barrels but was re-barreled (30 inch) in 1970 by someone in the UK and London proofed at 2 1/2 inch; and as I have stated above I had it reproofed for 2 3/4 inch --Malcolm Cruxton who shop is still even today in Price Street, Birmingham, England prepared the gun for proof for me as well as sending it to one of his friends for re-blacking of the barrels as I have never learned the secret of how the Johnson's and his grandson are able to get the perfect gloss finish on rust blued barrels--I can almost get there but not quite perfect as Mr.Paul Stevens does it today.
If you want to ask me specific questions about the task that your Grant likely needs just send me a PM and if you want a discussion send me your phone number in the PM and I will call you.
Kindest Regards;
Stephen Howell
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