Samuel B. Allport Exposed Hammer, Engraved Case Colored & Damascus 30” Side by Side Shotgun & Paperwork MFD 1870s Antique

Sold For: $719.69
LSB#:
160804KK01

Make: Samuel Blackmore Allport, of Birmingham

Model: Side by Side Exposed Hammer Shotgun

Serial Number: The receiver does not have any visible serial number markings, the underside of the barrel is marked “3583”.

Year of Manufacture: An included photocopy of Boothroyds’ Revised Directory of British Gunmakers, Page 10, states that Samuel Blackmore Allport is recorded as a firearms manufacturer from 1839 to 1892 at 50 Whittall Street, the set of proof marks on the barrel indicate production between 1855 and 1875. This shotgun incorporates a top lever action that was patented in 1872, putting the possible DOM from 1872 to 1875.

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8”, Black Powder Only. Given the barrels are of Damascus construction, we do not recommend firing this shotgun.

Action Type: Side by Side, Exposed Hammer, Dual Non-Selective Trigger Sidelock Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “SAML B. ALLPORT 50 WHITTALL ST. BIRMINGHAM”, the underside of the barrels have crown over intertwined “CP”, “12”, crown over “V” and a London inspection mark, the center connecting point is marked “22 / 3583”, the underside of the left barrel is marked “JS”. The lock plates are marked “SAML B ALLPORT”, the watertable of the frame has two crown over “V” proof marks. The receiver and its components have exceptional scroll, rosette and floral engraving, found again on the exterior metal fixtures of the forend; please see our pictures of this beautiful shotgun!

Barrel Length: 30”

Choke: The right bore measures 0.731” (Full), the left measures 0.728” (Full). Minimum wall thickness at the muzzles is about 0.035”.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead, screwed into the solid, concave rib, which tapers from 0.403” at the breech to 0.287” at the muzzles.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece English walnut set with exceptional grain and tone variation. The forend has an ebony tip insert, the bracket and release lever have beautiful scrll engraving. The forend has scattered scuff and compression marks as photographed. There are no visible cracks and the wood has nice fit to the metal, but for the release lever plate which is slightly elevated from the wood surface. The butt stock has a flank checkered English strait wrist and crisp fit to the receiver and tangs. There is a brass oval insert in the belly, which sits just below the wood surface. The stock has scattered scrape and scuff marks, there is a very light varnish finish applied on the surfaces. There are a couple of very thin surface cracks at the upper tang and right lock plate. Drop at comb is 1 5/8”, drop at heel is 2 5/16” and is slightly cast-on for left handed shooters. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 7/8” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the black serrated plastic shotgun-style butt plate; the plate has very nice fit to the butt stock but looks to be a later replacement as most of the Allport shotguns seen during our research had metal butt plates; the plate has but a few light marks and rates in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: The barrel set is browned Damascus, the receiver and its components are case colored; the hammer and tang screws appear to have been blued.

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bores are light gray; there are a few bumps in the bores that translated from dings on the outside of the barrel set. There is mild to moderate erosion in the bores, with some deeper spots towards the chambers.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 31% of its metal finish, seen as some browned finish on the barrel set. The Damascus patterns are still discernible; the barrel set has some spots of mild pin prick erosion and there are a few light dings that translated as small bumps on the inside of the bores; the rib has some light dings on the edges in some areas. The receiver, forend and their components have transitioned to a mottled gray, with some natural patina forming in drizzled form. The hammer and tang screws appear to have been blued, the finish has since transitioned to a dull patina. There are some light handling marks present on the surfaces, along with some darker patina on the hammers and top lever. The screw head slots range from light to moderately tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun incorporates Samuel Allport’s Patent No. 3518 of 1872, which, according to I. M. Crudgington and D.J. Baker’s The British Shotgun, Volume Two 1871-1890, Page 40, “use(s) a vertical lever on a transverse pivot. This withdraws a sliding bolt that engages with a bite on the rear barrel lump…This is turned by, and turns on, a common centre with the top lever”. The barrel set mates with the receiver with no observable movement. The hammers have strong springs and the triggers are smooth. The hammers do not have any side to side play, the top lever has a small amount of side to side play. The shotgun weighs 6lbs 13oz. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included are printouts from Boothroyds’ revised directory of British Gunmakers and The British Shotgun Volume Two 1871-1890 by I.M. Crudgington and D.J. Baker, which assisted in our research.

Our Assessment: This is a Samuel Blackmore Allport side by side exposed hammer sidelock shotgun that has highly detailed scroll engraving, Damascus barrels and English walnut stocks that sport beautiful grain and tone variation. The shotgun was made between 1872 and 1875, given the incorporated top lever construction and set of London proof marks found on the underside of the barrel set. Given its age, this shotgun has survived very well and automatically catches the eye! With deluxe hand-crafted shotguns being all the rage in the late 1800’s, one had to be pretty talented to keep up with some of the bigger gunmakers; Allport certainly kept pace and created quite a specimen that should do well in any high end shotgun collection. Please see our pictures and good luck.

Samuel B. Allport Exposed Hammer, Engraved Case Colored & Damascus 30” Side by Side Shotgun & Paperwork MFD 1870s Antique
Samuel B. Allport Exposed Hammer, Engraved Case Colored & Damascus 30” Side by Side Shotgun & Paperwork MFD 1870s Antique