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