Gunroom Gossip. It's not what it first appears!
Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:32 pm
Back from a few days away and I thought I would find something else that may be interesting. This object is no longer in my collection as will become clear shortly. I acquired it when I went to visit a Gunsmith/Gunmaker friend of mine (sadly no longer with us) who was using it as a doorstop. I passed comment on it and was told to have it if I wanted it. He said that his Grandfather, who had been a Gamekeeper, had used it. Now, Gamekeeper's alarm gun were often set to dissuade poachers. When I got it home and examined it in detail one thing didn't quite add up. A piece of legislation was enacted back in 1861 called 'The Offences Against the Persons Act' and is still in force. One section legislated against 'the setting of spring guns, man traps & other engines with intent to cause injury'. Most alarm guns are either percussion locks or pin-fires; 1861, the date of the Act, coincides with the introduction of the centre fire cartridge. This object was a centre fire! Marks on it indicated a French origin.
It operates by removing a pin and swinging out the barrel, inserting a cartridge before reclosing. The hammer spur is then cocked back and held in place by a 'U' shaped loop which has a hole in it to allow for the tripwire. Pull back the loop and the object fires along the line of the tripwire. Unfortunately, this being a centre fire and of a modern calibre; in this case a 12 bore with a 9 inch barrel, it was for all intents and purpose a 'sawn off shotgun' in the eyes of the law and something of a liability that could lead to big problems. Not being one to surrender it for destruction I contacted the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and was told they would like it in their extensive collection. Said object was duly delivered as the museum is less than a 2 hour drive from me.
Both they and I thought it was a Gamekeeper's alarm gun and it was entered as such. Now, as to not being what it first appears! A little further investigation on my part revealed the truth. It is in fact a French First World War trench alarm. Some German sneaking up in the French trenches could be in for a very nasty surprise. So, sadly I couldn't keep it being centre fire but it now has a home and can be viewed at the musem.
It operates by removing a pin and swinging out the barrel, inserting a cartridge before reclosing. The hammer spur is then cocked back and held in place by a 'U' shaped loop which has a hole in it to allow for the tripwire. Pull back the loop and the object fires along the line of the tripwire. Unfortunately, this being a centre fire and of a modern calibre; in this case a 12 bore with a 9 inch barrel, it was for all intents and purpose a 'sawn off shotgun' in the eyes of the law and something of a liability that could lead to big problems. Not being one to surrender it for destruction I contacted the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and was told they would like it in their extensive collection. Said object was duly delivered as the museum is less than a 2 hour drive from me.
Both they and I thought it was a Gamekeeper's alarm gun and it was entered as such. Now, as to not being what it first appears! A little further investigation on my part revealed the truth. It is in fact a French First World War trench alarm. Some German sneaking up in the French trenches could be in for a very nasty surprise. So, sadly I couldn't keep it being centre fire but it now has a home and can be viewed at the musem.
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- Picture File. 5274.jpg (2.02 MiB) Viewed 1111 times
