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Argo44 Offline OP
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This gun is for sale for a lot of money. A VC "Pigeon gun", 30" barrels, 7 lbs 8 oz..etc.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...heliduplex-12-gauge.cfm?gun_id=101647451

Comments:
-- 65mm chambers reproofed to 70mm. Trempe = quenched.
-- We decided that one way to identify the VC "Helice" (that particular name never patented) top lever is that it had no top slot...because VC reversed the whole thing...obviating the need for adjustments: This top lever has a slot? Why? It's mid-late 1930's - did something change?
[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]
[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

We've seen this gun before - This is Sandlapper's VC Heliduplex and it has some beautiful engraving. Sandlapper has a nice gun: But I would still like to know what that top lever is all about.
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=480566&page=3

Ad from a few years ago:
http://www.dawsonsdoubles.com/details.php?ID=4169

Last edited by Argo44; 05/28/21 01:37 AM.

Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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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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Argo44 Offline OP
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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.pdf

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

This 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.

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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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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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Argo44 Offline OP
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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,


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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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Argo44 Offline OP
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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)...


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Originally Posted by eightbore
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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Salut Argo
La fermeture "HÉLIDUPLEX" daterait de 1925.
Voir sa description.


[Linked Image from i91.servimg.com]

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