Shotgun
George Hanson (fl. c.1857 - 1868)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1850 - 1879
Materials
iron, walnut, silver
Measurements
717 mm (Length)1136 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Doncaster
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 347415
Caption
George Hanson, gunmaker, was born in 1824. He was the son of Josef Hanson, a rope maker in Doncaster. George learnt his trade as gunsmith during his apprenticeship to his uncle Nathan Hanson, and took over the business in 1857. He died on 3 January 1880, as a result of an explosion at his workshop at 5:45am. An inquest was held, and the Coroner found that no-one was to blame. The unfortunate event was reported in Doncaster Chronicle, 9 January 1880, with the headline: ‘Shocking gunpowder explosion. Two houses blown up. Three lives lost.’ George’s wife, and the next-door neighbour, also perished in the blast. (Information provided by Paul Mawson in 2011).
Summary
Firearm. Doubled barrelled percussion sporting gun, c1850, by George Hanson of Doncaster (c1857-68).
Full description
Doubled barrelled percussion sporting gun, c1850, by George Hanson of Doncaster (c1857-68). Round iron side by side Damascus twist barrels and constructed with a false breech. The barrels with top and lower ribs and 2 ramrod pipes. The top rib signed HANSON (feint). Bead foresight. Engraved barrel tang with sighting groove. Retained to the stock by 1 barrel slide. The ramrod missing. Length 71.7cm. Calibre 18mm. Walnut half-stock, the wrist and forestock chequered. Engraved iron furniture comprising, buttplate, trigger guard with scroll finger rest and fore-end pipe. Vacant silver escutcheon. Right and left hand percussion side locks, engraved with birds and signed G.HANSON. Overall length 113.6cm.
Marks and inscriptions
Lockplate: G.Hanson Barrel top rib: Hanson
Makers and roles
George Hanson (fl. c.1857 - 1868), gunsmith
References
Bailey & Nye, 1978: DeWitt Bailey & Douglas Nye, English Gunmakers: Birmingham & Provincial Gun Trade