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6 members (LeFusil, 5 invisible),
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Forums10
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
Helice Grip was one of VC's trademarks as early as 1922. Looks like Heliduplex came along later. The gun also carries the triple St. Etienne proof, which isn't seen all that often. Darnes being an exception.
Did VC somehow modify their system on the Heliduplex guns? Certainly appears so from the slot in the top lever.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319 |
I believe Heliduplex model came out in 1931. Here is a close up of the drawing from the 1939 VC catalog - doesn't match: https://www.verney-carron.com/pdf/catalogue-1939-FR-Verney-Carron.pdfThis is a 2017 comment sourced to IGC: "The Héluduplex model was a high-end gun at Verney-Carron. mechanic H & H with a top fastner, VC calls it Heluduplex but it is in fact just a variety of Scott's "screw-grip"
Last edited by Argo44; 05/28/21 06:59 PM.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
That gun could very well be a screw grip. Then the slotted screw in the top lever would make sense.
I had a W&S Model 400 Grade 1 (the top grade in the 400 series, Brits trying to confuse us again!), high grade boxlock made in the mid-20's. It was a screw grip. The W&S 700 series that came out after WWII basically replaced the 400. Nice enough guns, but they cut some corners compared to the 400's. The 700's weren't screw grips.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 355 Likes: 22
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 355 Likes: 22 |
I thought I would try to clarify the setup of the Screw Grip on this Heliduplex gun. The screw grip actually bears on the top on the rib extension and on the bottom on the modified rear locking lug which sits at a higher position than if a Purdey underbolt locked it. I’ve not seen a similar arrangement on any other gun I’ve run across. It is an immensely strong lockup. I have two original V-C catalogs from the 30’s that show it as their top offering.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319 |
Thanks Sandlapper. Excellent info and certainly it clarifies the situation with the top lever. When you first posted the gun a couple of years ago I mentally resolved to obtain a Heliduplex. This one is a bit beyond my means but it surely is a fine looking gun,
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,119 Likes: 198
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,119 Likes: 198 |
I believe the screw grip is a Webley design, but I'm not sure. My pair of William Evans sidelocks have the Webley screw grip. Of course, the whole pair of guns could have been made by Webley for Evans. It is one fine pair of guns and the screw grip is a wonderful design.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,157 Likes: 319 |
What I like about Sandlapper's VC is the elegance of it...side clips....30" barrels...7lbs 8 oz...everything says "pigeon gun" and it seems very atypical from your standard French game gun. And it is Saint-Étienne...and thus not duded up. If ever one wanted a Saint-Étienne gun (and my wife's father is from the area...so I did want one for Daughter-in-law)..this would be the gun to get. Abe Chaber really is good - highly recommended by everybody (and I like his frank opinions about the gun trade and gunsmithing)...
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
I believe the screw grip is a Webley design, but I'm not sure. My pair of William Evans sidelocks have the Webley screw grip. Of course, the whole pair of guns could have been made by Webley for Evans. It is one fine pair of guns and the screw grip is a wonderful design. It is indeed a Webley design, referred to in Crawford and Whatley's book as " . . . a type of rib extension patented by T.W. Webley in 1882." It continued to be used on Webley & Scott guns, most commonly the 400 series, after Webley & Scott merged.
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 134 Likes: 26
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 134 Likes: 26 |
Salut Argo La fermeture "HÉLIDUPLEX" daterait de 1925. Voir sa description.
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