The First Carl Russell & Co Shotgun

November 14, 2017

After around 18 months build time we are very pleased to announce that the first Carl Russell & Co shotgun is finally finished and now being used in the field.

The gun is a 12g Best Sidelock Ejector over & under with 30″ barrels and is based on the James Purdey pattern which originally derives from the James Woodward design which was patented in 1913.

The gun will be predominately used for game shooting and the occasional round of sporting clays. Should the need arise in the future our client also specified the requirement to use steel shot so the gun is London Proof tested for 70mm (2 ¾”) Superior loads.

Action

Purdey pattern Sidelock ejector round bar action with non-selective single trigger (firing bottom barrel first), automatic safety and double beaded edge to trigger guard bow.

Barrels

30″ Demi-bloc construction with 70mm (2 3/4″) chambers, 1/4 and 1/2 fixed chokes with solid game rib. London Superior Proof for steel shot.

Stock & forend wood

Exhibition grade walnut blank used to fit stock and forend wood to clients dimensions. Pistol grip with steel cap and gold oval.

Engraving

Large acanthus scroll with cameo portrait of clients black Labrador ‘Finn’ engraved on the underside of action. Makers’ name on lockplates, serial number ‘001’ on trigger guard tang and ‘SAFE’ inlaid in gold. 2017 (year of completion) engraved in Roman numerals on grip cap. Gold oval engraved with owners initials.

Oak & leather case

Best oak & leather case with rosewood corners and inlay with brass disc on lid engraved to match oval initials. Canvas outer cover stamped with owners initials. Full accompaniment of tools including turnscrews, snap caps, oil bottle and cleaning rod. Gold tooled leather case label.

As a celebration of completing our first new gun we decided to ask one of the UK’s best knife makers Geoff Hague to commission a knife using some of the materials used on the gun. The knife is fixed blade Drop Point Hunter. For the scales we used offcuts from the stock blank, the liners are red vulcanised fibre (matching the baize colour). The bolsters are 416 steel and engraved in the same style as the gun with the same serial number 001 inlaid in gold. Makers name and Carl Russell & Co engraved on the blade. Lastly we asked our casemaker to make a case using the same leather and baize as the gun.

It has been a privilege to commission our first gun and we hope it is used and enjoyed for many years to come. On to 002…….