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Description: | , From old card index - 'Breech loading rifle, (Farquarson Metford Military). English 1880. Overall length; 128.5 cms; 50 1/2 in. Bore; .450 or .451 ".; 12mm. Barrel; overall length; 82 cms. Round tapering barrel with flat on breech on which is stamped 'METFORD'S PATENT, 873.' The section of the barrel in front of that is stamped George Gibbs, 29, Corn, Street, Bristol. The front sight is a blade, the rear sight is an adjustable 'V' sight which when not is use lies parallel with the barrel. On the left hand side of the breech is stamped a design which looks like two '£'s facing each other. In front of this is the number '48' and Birmingham proof marks. The barrel is attached by two bands, the front one of which has a bayonet bar stamped '305'. Lock; The lock is one of the falling breech type; the breech is dropped and the hammer is cocked by means of depressing the trigger on the trigger guard, and then pulling down. This lever is then brought back up and with it comes the breech. There is a safety catch on the right hand side which arrests the fall of the hammer (which is only a token hammer, not actually striking the cartridge) and the serrated trigger fires the mechanism. The breech is stamped 'FARQUHARSON'S PATENT 30', on the right hand side and george Gibbs Bristol on the left hand side. The top breech is marked with a proof. Stock and furniture: The walnut stock terminates 11cms. From the end in a metal cap (at the muzzle). The stock is cross-hatched at the neck and also on the grip of the forend. The butt is fitted with a swivel as is the front band. All the mounts are of iron and are undecorated, the butt plate only having a short tang. The iron ramrod under the barrel is 81 cms long. Description by Bill Harding of the Birmingham Proof House 2005:single shot military breech lading falling block target rifle, marked 'George Gibbs 29 Corn Street, Bristol', model Gibbs-Farquarson-Metford, patent no. - Metford paptent 873, Farquarson's Patent 1592 25/5/1872, proof mark Birmingham pre 1904, center-fire ignition system, barrels - one ro9und, calibre .461" No 1 Gibbs, barrel length 838mm, barrel attached to stock with two bands, sights front - post, rear - graduated ramp, full walnut stock, lock type - Farquarson's patent, fitted with steel cleaning rod under barrel, chequering fore-end and wrist. Condition overall good Blued finish. Bayonet catch muzzel. 2 swivel slings at butt and fore-end. Action Patent Use Number below Farquarson's Patent on right side of action "30" i.e.30th action made under this patent by Gibbs. The name Metford in the rifle title indicates it was using the Metford system or rifling. This reifle was first available in 1874. About 1889 the Action patent Use Numbers were fropped at about No 700 so this rifle dates from the earlier part of this period. These rifles were match for long range Military rifle matches and saw regular use by Army and Civilian competitors at Wimbledon Common before the opening of Bisley. Ref. 'The British Falling Block Breechloading Rifle from 1865' by Jonathan Kirton ISBN 1 884849 21 0.,
Accession number: NCM 1893-22 | Subjects: | British firearms (licensed) (antique) arms and armour | Temporal: | 1874-1889 | Source: | Nottingham City Museums and Galleries | Creator: | BRISTOL | Identifier: | http://media.culturegrid.org.uk/mediaLib... | Go to resource |
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