Alexander Thomson - Edinburgh
Diverted from De-activation
Stories from the Scrap pile – five
After inheriting a vintage British gun, with little interest in older guns, not being used, and taking up space in the gun cabinet. This gun had unfortunately reached a critical point in its journey. The gun was reluctantly offered for sale by the guns’ considerate and latest custodian / owner. The gun disappointingly raised little interest within the network of the immediate shooting community, with the only offer coming from a third party wanting the gun for deactivating, and decorating a West Country pub.
Alexander Thomson & Son - Edinburgh, Scotland. Early breech-loader circa. 1869
Although the gun had already been purchased, by chance the gun was being shipped to its new owner for deactivation via a local firearms dealer who had an interest in British guns, and fortunately took time for a closer look prior to shipping. The gun was quickly diverted out of harm’s way.
Although there appeared to be little information about the gun, or its maker, the gun had something about it that encouraged further research. The initial sticking point being an historical misspelling and incorrect recording of the guns’ serial number. The name on the gun had been entered on previous shotgun certificates incorrectly. This was enough to make research fall short, giving a limited story. However, with deeper research, and hidden marks and numbers found, the gun started to gain a voice.
Strong straight grain through the hand of the stock
This gun was emerging as an early breech loading centre fire shotgun of Scottish decent, made by Alexander Thomson & Son, Edinburgh. The serial number referenced in Nigel Brown’s book putting the gun as being made before 1869 (Faintly stamped close to the forend loop) on the bottom rib. The Proof marks confirm the gun was originally made as a 14 bore, with Birmingham black powder proof marks for 1868 to 1875. There were several things of interest, the gun being made circa. 1869, with the locks un-named and void of any makers marks, but of good quality. The locks were likely to have been made in house, as the Thomson firm were known as lock and gun makers. The date of manufacture would ensure no choke was present, however the gun has choke, with measurements of 15 and 25 thousandths of an inch. The taper of the chokes are surprisingly long, 100 mm and 150 mm in length respectively. The gun has been re-chambered from 14 bore to a 12 bore, and Nitro proofed at .736, the bores measurements are now the same as when re proofed in 1985 at the London proof house. The date 1985 being stamped on the action, confusingly had been used as the serial number. The quality of internal barrel work is impressive from an engineering point, and has allowed the formulation of choke restrictions, although increasing the bore diameter out to .736, it is surprising, the barrel walls support excellent measurements of 28 and 33 thousandths. We assume the barrels must have been of considerable thickness when originally made as a 14 bore, and a throwback from the days of the muzzleloader. The internal barrel work is impressive, with the slow and elongated choke tapers superbly formed.
Original 14 bore Black Powder marks Birmingham 1868 to 1875 - Barrel Makers mark on the bottom Rib ( R B )
Alexander Thomson has been making quality guns since - 1820, and this continued until 1881, there are examples of the firms work online and at various auction, including pistols, rifles and shotguns, they all appear to be well made and of good quality. Alexander Thomson established his business in 1820 at 3 Drummond Street, Edinburgh, he was appointed "Gunmaker to His Majesty" (King George IV) in 1828. In 1833 he took over the business of George Thomson, (father or brother ?) who was also appointed "Gunmaker in Ordinary in Edinburgh" to His Majesty in 1828.
Forend using the cross-pin latch, with engraved cross-pin furniture and steel finial tip.
Alexander Thomson moved to George Thomson's address at 16 Union Place. Alexander, between 1840 and 1841, took on additional premises at 3 South St Andrew Street. In 1869 the name of the firm changed to Alexander Thomson & Son, at the same time they moved to 95 Princes Street. In 1876 they moved to 3 Hanover Street. The Alexander Thomson firm closed in about 1881. There are no trace of either Alexander or George Thompson have been found in the censuses at that point or thereafter.
Nitro Re-Proof - London 1985, Proofed @ .736 (measuring the same today) - 850 bar - perfect bore, now with choke !
The Alexander Thomson shotgun in this article has percussion nosed Hammers, 29 3/4 inch barrels, the gun itself weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces, the barrels alone weigh 3 pounds 9 ounces giving an indication of their original weight prior to the considerable amount of barrel work. The serial number being on the bottom rib, that dates the gun to pre 1869, the only other mark found on the under rib, being RB, this possibly relating to a barrel maker, such as Rose Brothers of Halesowen. The stock and forend wood are of straight strong grain, with LOP measuring 14 3/8. The forend latch is of cross pin design, all parts including the latch housing and forend tip finial are engraved with scrolling. The action body houses a Jones type under-lever, that is unmarked and without a patent or maker ( the original 1859 patent not being protected ) Prominent percussion fences, and non-rebounding locks, all of which are scroll engraved plus a Celtic style design to both sides of the main action body. The top rib marked with the companies operating address at the time - 95 Princes Street Edinburgh.
Engraved action body and under-lever, Celtic design on both sides of action body.
This early breech loading shotgun remains in good shooting condition from a little know, but longtime served Scottish Gunmaker. The gun is ready for the field 156 years after being made in Scotland circa. 1869.
