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
