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By Bill Harriman
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Q) I have been given a Verney Carron side-by-side 16-bore Helice 33 shotgun,No. 0441. It appears to have a “fixed” foreend so I am unable to remove it to see any proof markings etc. Can you tell me about this gun and the fore-end also? A. COOPER By email
A) The Verney Carron Helice shotgun was first designed in 1904. The name Helice refers to the screw thread-like system which formed the third locking point on the action. Some fore-ends can be very stiff and difficult to remove. Those with the push-in Anson catch can often be released by pushing in the catch with a short piece of dowel while at the same time pushing a piece of hard non-metallic material, such as a piece of plastic with a bevelled edge, between the barrels and the fore-end wood. A gentle tap with a hammer may make it come loose.
If the fore-end is the Deeley type with a lift-up catch then the same process can be tried while the catch is held in the fully open position, preferably while wedged in place with a small piece of wood. It is possible to remove a snap-on fore-end by gently inserting a small wooden wedge between wood and barrels and tapping gently. It’s always a good idea to protect the barrels with several layers of masking tape. Don’t use a screwdriver or other metal tools as you will scratch the barrels and bruise the wood.
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