Cox and Clarke - Southampton
Cox and Clarke - Southampton
The Practical Gunmakers
This big bore Wildfowl gun started life as a muzzle loader over 175 years ago. The gun has no name, other than an inscription on the top of the barrel, that reads; Converted by Cox and Clarke the Practical Gunmakers - 28 High Street Southampton.
Made as a Muzzle-loader over 175 years ago. Converted to Breech-loader by Cox and Clarke
An advertisement in Stevens trade directory of 1884 gives the 28 High Street, Southampton address for the business, and the firm being established in 1830, as "practical gunmakers" and cutlers“ With cutlery ground by steam power daily, The firm offered hammer guns at 10 guineas. The firm appears to have used 7 Bernard Street, Southampton address for the cutlery business and the 28 High Street address as the gunsmith's shop. In about 1885 the firm was re-named Cox & Son, but it is not known which son this could have been. In about 1900 the firm became known as Cox & Clarke at the 28 High Street address, they traded until about 1928. There were also a firm called Clarke, as gun-makers in Hampshire at the same time, and also a gunmaker named Clarke in Salisbury, who sold “J W G” cartridges, the same cartridges as did Cox & Son in Southampton. There is likely to be a link between them through marriage.
Barrel engraved - Converted by Cox & Clarke - The practical Gunmakers 28 High Street Southampton
The conversion of this big bore can be narrow down close to 1900. This could be seen as relatively late for any other gun type, except for guns with bigger bores, as the cost of building a big bore gun from the drawing board up would be extortionate at any time. The gun clearly identifies itself as a Conversion, fortunately the barrel inscription has supported this, and allowed us to look closer. The conversion work has been completed by skilled craftsmen who are familiar with the necessary changes needed in doing the work, and completing this almost seamlessly, the work is difficult to identify without close inspection. This is a credit to the firm Cox and Clarke, and those they employed.
All parts in excellent condition - Colour Hardening present to 'Action body & back of the Hammer
The conversion work on any gun is comprehensive to say the least, the amount of work needed is totally dependent on the gun being converted. In the case of this big bore, the work and changes needed started with; Keeping the barrel, and chambering in preparation to take an 8 bore cartridge, removing the old forend loop, and replacing with a newly located forend loop, this in preparation to take a brand new forend iron, forend wood work, and a new securing cross latch, but only after fitting a new hook and extractor with extractor body.
Massive Lump with provision for the Hook and Jones under-lever double bite lock-up (Lever-Over-Guard)
The lump attachment uses a method that encompasses the breech end, this allows the fitting of the barrel to the new action body allowing the flats to meet. Keeping the stock and elongated steel heel plate, reworking the head of the stock to take a new action body with Jones under-lever.
Sight of the former forearm loop, and the presence of the new forend cross-pin latch loop
The fitting of a new trigger plate to match the Jones under-lever action body is necessary, however the trigger guard being re-worked, and the use of the trigger mechanism remains. Fit and re-use the lock after regulating, modify or replace the hammer. Match engraving where possible. Case harden all metal parts, re-finish throughout, assemble, check, and contact the customer for collection. The gun on collection would have looked Brand New.
New forend iron-work, forend wood, horn forend tip, and cross-pin forend latch
Although this gun is a hard working tool from the past, the gun itself might not be the only thing being celebrated, the fact the gun has survived for over 175 years is positive. However, finding an example of everyday practical gun making, on a plain working tool, with the same attention to detail and skill that would be adorned to any gun taken in for work is to be celebrated.
