doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Stephen Grant guns

I have developed a yearning for a Stephen Grant shotgun, maybe just because of the side lever. Now I would like to know more about Grant guns before I buy. How do Grant guns compare with other London makers? (Not including Purdey, H&H, Boss and Woodward). Is there a book available to answer my questions?
Thanks for your help.

Rich, the best book yopu can buy is Don Masters book: ATKIN,GRANT & Lang. It is available with Safari Press.
Marc.

In my opinion Grants are some of the best guns from the English trade. Most of them are best guns and have superb finish and engraving. I really really like them. Dig who frequents these boards can give you all the detail you need, given he's just taken control of the business, I can't think of anyone better to tell you.

Super guns is all I can say and I don't blame you for wanting one.

Grant hammer guns tend to be conservative in styling but everything is perfectly executed.

Back action sidelocks with underlever actions, followed by side lever ones are typical of the 1870s. I doubt you could get a nicer, classier hammer gun from this period.

A lot of Grants were filed up by E.C Hodges and he also used John Robertson. These two were the best of the best.

Bar-action Grants are less common in my experience and I personally prefer bar action hammer guns (for no very good reason).

The Grant hammerless sidelock side-lever is perhaps the most beautiful of the guns made in the 1890s. Engraving of full coverage scrolls, fluted fences and flawless lines combine with damascus barrels and finely figured wood etc etc. Unfortunately many have ejectors with coil springs which are total bastards when they go wrong! Try and find one with Southgates.

I'm just fixing up an 1871 Grant under-lever hammer gun for myself. Looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Stay with the guns made in the 7000 range as they have better ejectors. I have a Grant sidelock 12 bore for sale if interested.
Sorry though it is a top lever.

The current market values the Grant name at the second level of Brand Value, BV2 (3/4 the value of an "identical" gun with a BV1 brand, which is Boss, H&H, Purdey, and Woodward). As for quality, best work Original Quality, OQ1, can come with any name on it. No name in the gun trade had a lock on superior quality. Shops were run by masters and they all knew each other and who could do what work to best standards. An skill, level of skill, or supply of skill missing in a shop's in-workers was covered by contracting with out-workers.

The trick here is to firmly separate brand name value from original quality level. It is far easier to learn the values of brand values independent of quality. Then, learn the values of quality level independent of brand. Lastly, add the value of current condition level and, presto-alakazam, you have a value for the gun.

Hi Dig.Realize you have better things to do, but was wondering how many Grant sidelever HG's were made in 20 bore and if any were made in 28 ?? Terry

I currently own a top lever bar action sidelock Grant in 12 gauge circa 1897. It has the standard fluted fences and fine scroll in Grant's typical pattern. It's an excellent gun. There's nothing that would make me part with it. I don't blame you one bit for wanting one.

Grant worked for Boss, he knew what best guns were about and how to make them.

Hi Terry,

I'll get around to counting one day! However, records not always that detailed so may be impossible to be sure.

Not many.

We have one in 20-bore and are making copies - hope to have one ready for 2011 Game Fair.

[quote=Small Bore]..........................'The Grant hammerless sidelock side-lever is perhaps the most beautiful of the guns made in the 1890s. Engraving of full coverage scrolls, fluted fences and flawless lines combine with damascus barrels and finely figured wood etc etc. Unfortunately many have ejectors with coil springs which are total bastards when they go wrong! Try and find one with Southgates.'

Diggory is quite correct on both points of beauty of the Stephen Grant guns and the difficulty of making right the Stephen Grant patten ejector system. It must have taken at least 40 hours more work to make the complete Grant ejector system than what it took to make the Southgate ejectors during original making of these guns. Having myself repaired the Grant ejector system including making new ejector sears, new underbolt links, and even one time a new tumbler (because it has a bottom cam to activate the ejector system) I can assure you that it is indeed a difficult system to repair; and whilst difficult it is also a lesson in mechanical motion transfer--what Americans refer to as "Rube Goldberg".

I wish Diggory well in his new endeavor.