Thread: I took a gamble

Nice looking gun. As for the gunsmith, I don't think you will ever find that out as I suspect it is one of the many produced by many gunsmiths for retailers to sell, not end users. A common practice of the day. It is above the usual work day weapon as the finish and case shows but not up to Purdey etc.

There is a strange anomaly about 171 Cricklade Street St Cirencester. The street is actually currently located in a locality named Poulton outside of Cirencester., which coincidentally is enroute to the RAF Airbase at Fairford. This base was not established until 1930 a link.

https://tinyurl.com/wrvz46x

The named owner on tha gun's case is Flight Lieutenant H W Hancock is an airman. I did a search on a RAF officer site

https://tinyurl.com/rgazxno

but found nothing for Flt Lt H W Hancock, It could be H M Hancock? Note that the site owner invites email enquirers and it is possible that Hancock was in the RAf during WW 1 which would explain why no trace at this WW 2 site .

My guess is that Flt Lt Hancock purchased the unbranded gun from a retailer, possibly in Cirencester and had it engraved with his rural address address and the case with his rank and name and was at one time based at RAF Fairford. I SERIOUSLY doubt that either the retailer or the gunsmith were working out of 171 Cricklade Street.

Good hunting..................