Griffiths & Worsley were English Manchester based gunmakers recorded as working between 1862 & 1869 at 2 St Mary’s Gate (see page 79 of of English Gunmakers by Baily & Nie).The Tranter revolver is a double action black powder cap & ball revolver invented around 1856 by English firearms designer William Tranter (1816 - 1890). Originally operated with a special dual-trigger mechanism (one to rotate the cylinder and cock the gun, a second to fire it) later models employed a single-trigger mechanism. This is a superb, all original example of the single trigger double action Tranter Patent revolver by Griffiths & Worsley. The pistol has a 4 ½” octagonal barrel which has a white metal post foresight and notch 'v' cylinder frame rear sight. The barrel’s bore has staining & residue consistent with age & use & well defined rifling. The top of the frame is signed by the makers ‘Griffiths & Worsley Manchester’. The loading arm and frame are marked ‘Tranters Patent’. The frame also has a small factory inspector’s mark ‘HH’ and is numbered ’27,844T’ . It's original finely chequered Walnut grip is in excellent undamaged condition. The barrel and cylinder have English Birmingham black powder proofs. The weapon’s firing mechanism works crisply in both single and double action. The blue finish to the metal work is excellent. The steel trigger guard, frame, loading lever arm and butt screw have floral scroll engraving. It has a spur hammer and side hook lever safety catch which works correctly. The price for this quality Tranter includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22718 (drawers office)
£1,695.00