Merits

The Merits of the Scottish Round Action Design

Before the end of the 19^th century British gunmakers were competing to design breech loading, hammerless ejector systems. Almost without exception, muzzle loaders with their locks mounted on side plates, evolved into breech loading hammer guns. These in turn were converted to self cocking and ejector mechanisms were fitted into their F/ends, eliminating the external hammers. This is called the Side Lock Action.

The Edinburgh craftsmen, well known for innovations, took a fresh look at the problems and applied their skills, creating a unique gun, outstanding in many ways. This was achieved without considering the many additional hours required in the unit manufacture or the artistic shapes which had to be hand sculptured in the steel. Not only did their revolutionary Round Action gun compete with the Side Lock in workmanship and reliability but surpassed it in elegance and strength.

The elegant design features are most obvious, with no ugly protrusions and the avoidance of square edges. The graceful lines flow from the breech end of the barrels. Strength is obtained by a solid action body with only two small ejector holes. Other actions (side lock) have larger rectangular slots passing through the body. The obvious advantages are smaller body dimensions giving compact, neater proportions with a reduction in body weight and this allows the ultimate in balance and adds to the handling qualitites. The barrels are bolted down by three bites, two on the lumps which are wider than normal (.400" as opposed to .350"). The third bite is on the top rib extension. This is not exceptional, but is original in strength as the bolting top lever is keyed into the action body by square locking lugs.

The mechanical efficiency in cocking the locks is effected by a sliding bar under compression on dropping the barrels. The locks are mounted on the trigger plate with the pivoting limbs bridled to a solid upright bar.

The strong mainsprings are of a bow type with roller bearings acting on the tumblers, and the sears are geometrically positioned to give clean crisp trigger pulls.

The limbs are gold plated and the locks are contained in the head of the stock assuring maximum protection from the weather. The ejector mechanism, contained within the action body is powered by substantial coil springs which are compressed when closing the barrels, giving the gun assisted opening.

The barrel tubes are of chopper lump construction, forged from quality alloy steel. The stocks are cut from the finest seasoned walnut available which is selected for strength, density and figure. The traditional oil finish given to the stock not only wears well in the wet Scottish weather but enhances the character and beauty of the figure.

The gun, in all gauges, is made only in the "best" quality, varying in style of finish. It is built precisely to fit the individual customer whose stock measurements are established at the shooting ground and there is a choice of chamber, barrel length, choke boring, weight, balance, wood and engraving patterns.