Word Perfect

Are your fences arcaded? Do back actions have shorter water tables? Is an Anson forend latch better than a Deeley?

Huh? You may know what I’m talking about, but sometimes I don’t. I have to look it up. The vocabulary of fine guns is more than somewhat arcane. At times it is impenetrable. We all want to use correct terms for an accurate description, but that presupposes that everyone involved understands the definitions.

Here’s where Morris Hallowell comes to our aid. I knew Morris many years ago when he had a marvelous gunshop in Greenwich, Connecticut. He carried the best guns and absolutely knew the ins and outs of each one. He sold his building to Griffin & Howe and moved his business to Montana, where he continues to sell high-quality guns today.

While a few fine-gun dealers actually have an intimate knowledge of their guns, Morris takes it one step further. He shares this knowledge with us by posting an excellent alphabetical listing of “Firearms Abbreviations, Definitions & Opinions” on his Website: http://www.hallowellco.com. You can go directly to the list at http://www.hallowellco.com/abbrevia.htm.

Here’s a sample:

"Bifurcated Lumps - A locking system for over & under guns whereby the barrels are mounted to the receiver via trunnions on either side of the lower barrel and where a pair of bolts move forward into recesses on either side of the barrel-set when the gun is closed. This system makes it possible to build an over & under gun with a sleeker, lower profile than possible when mounting the lumps, hook, and locking bites to the underside of the bottom barrel. Boss and Woodward over & under guns are built with bifurcated lumps. Browning and Merkel over & under guns are built with traditional lumps under the bottom barrel.”

While it’s always fun to look at Websites featuring fine guns, Hallowell’s informative reading definitely makes it worth a second look. In addition to the definitions, the opinions add interesting extra information. I am sure that Morris would also welcome any input or suggestions you might have in the way of amending or adding to his definitions. He can be reached at morris@hallowellco.com.

And that’s the end of this vocabulary lesson. Until next time, boots off, beer open.