The 1870's weapons

1870's

The war had ended, General Grant,the war hero, was President and America had turned its attention to the West where gold and unlimited opportunities were to be had. England was enjoying great prosperity under Queen Victoria and the orderly Victorian age was in full bloom. Although there were several American gun makers to meet the needs of the American wild markets, the British had managed to turn gun making into an art form as weapons gain social acceptance. American weapons were still a utilitarian instrument meant to put food on the table, protect the farm against intruders and push the native off the hunting lands. Sharps and Winchesters were long distance shooter while the Colts were the go to side arm of the Texas rangers.

America in the 1870 was akin to a bar brawl, while in Britain, the social classes demanded refinement in their weapons for use on burgeoning estate shooting and overseas stalking in Africa and India. W. & C. Scott and Sons were the premier gun makers in England during the 1870's and made guns to meet all demands. Without peer the W. & C. Scott Premier hammer gun was the finest weapon produced in Britain during the 1870's .

This masterpiece was finished the same month as Custer, the bottom cadet of his West Point Class, took on and lost to the combined forces of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Custer was out gunned, out manned and outflanked by Crazy Horse. Custer was so disdained by U.L Grant that many thought Grant clear the path to help Custer command the 7th to their tragic ending. Grant, the humble veteran war monger knew how destructive arrogance was on the newly formed battle fields. It took Lincoln almost 3 years to rid the Union Army of pompous arrogant commanders and place Grant in command. Similar the Indians wars were just beginning and arrogance would initially rule the day until cooler heads prevailed. Very much like Iraq with Bremmer, Rumsfeld and Chenney. Seems today after 5 years may have our Grant in David Pratreaus

This W.& C Scott Premiere hammer gun is # 2 of a pair and it was acquired from a former employee of Holland and Holland. I was in New Zealand visiting Otago University with my wife. We were walking the streets of Dunedin when I spotted this wall hanger. The gun was removed from the wall, after close inspection my juices were streaming. It was a Premier in crisp condition but the tubes needed to be sleeved. I struck the deal with the gentleman and when I return to the States I had Kirk Merrington examine the tubes. We agreed to restored it.

Presently, I use the gun on North Dakota an Saskatchewan upland game during the fall campaign and on pass shooting doves in Arizona. It shall be buried with me

WEAPONS FOR THE FIELD- BRITISH 1860-1870's

Here is a picture of Queen Victoria and her husband Albert taken in 1860. Albert soon died and Victoria went into forever mourning

Seems plausible that I only caretake these fine weapon for a brief time. They will certainly survive me as they did their previous owners. Like fine art, they are timeless and when view carefully under a magnifying glass they amaze one that human hands can construct from wood and metal to give one a grand time hunting the fields. It is amazing that these weapons meant for social events were handcrafted by candlelight

Somehow, I suppose, they will slip from my grasp hopefully find another nimrod to cherish them. I made a pack with my progeny not to let these out of my estate but maybe a fast car, a women or a trip of a lifetime could change all that. I love my Scottish and English guns. A Holland and Holland Royal Ejector is a dandy to the McNaughton 16 bore blitz action. I try to own British guns manufactured during the reign of Queen Victoria who rule at the pinnacle of British power. These weapons are an artistic representation that the stability of Queen Victoria long reign brought to Britain. Mrs Brown's rule was highlighted by her love of Ireland, shooting, dogs and her family. All values I understand albeit a colonialist.

From the 1860's.

I have had several from this era but none finer than an exquisite Scottish masterpiece made by James McCririck of Ayr, a port city of south of Glasgow, Scotland. The maker was probably the most sought after by Southern sharpshooters during the civil war and he trained many who later made guns for McNaughton and then Dickson. The McCririck 12 bore with 30 inch Damascus tubes is the only Scottish rotary under lever (Jones patents) back action hammer gun probably in existence. The McCririck is as tight as the day it was launched. Doug Turnbull restored the action and the 12 bore was re browned by Keith Keitcher. The McCririck is probably the rarest hammer guns as it is the only Scottish under lever hammer gun functioning. The fences are perfect and accented with with high profile hammers, double triggers and open chokes. This weapon was primarily used for rough hunting as driven grouse was not in fashion until the 80's. The gun has put many North Dakota and English Pheasants on the table