Pistol grip reservoir?

[Ukstalker.375]

Can anyone explain what this is for please? I have a chapuis side by side in .375 and there is an ornately engraved flip up cap on the pistol grip, but I cannot see what it is for?
Chapuis list it in the description of the rifle on their website, along with various other features so one assumes it serves a purpose, but I cannot fathom what, I don't think it is for spare rounds but I could be mistaken?

 

[BigJohnx13]

can you post a picture. is it at the bottom of the pistol grip. maybe a cleaning kit slot

 

[Ukstalker.375]

It's exactly the same as the one in the other thread on here with buffalo engraving, so ive copied one of the photos from that thread to illustrate it as I'm at work currently....

 

[alby]

For a spare front site blade maybe...

 

[zephyr]

Correct .... spare front sight

 

[Ukstalker.375]

Seriously?? You say that with some authority, so I'm not questioning you, I'm just surprised...!
Ok, well if that's the case, so be it, thanks for taking the time to answer!

 

[zephyr]

Traditionally for a spare front sight wrapped in oil cloth, but you can put anything in there that will fit

 

[zephyr]

This what is found on the H&H Web Site under stock specifications for their bespoke Double Rifles

"Selected walnut, polished and oiled finished to the individual’s measurements, with pistol grip and a cap box for spare foresight, cheekpiece, recoil pad, an optional gold oval engraved with initials or crest."

 

[Ukstalker.375]

Thanks chaps! Most informative much appreciated.

 

[crs]

A very nice touch, that.
My Simson .405 double has a steel grip cap but alas, no hidden compartment for a replacement front sight! I suppose I shall have to continue to store such accessories in the rifle case which has adequate storage space.

 

[CTDolan]

Yep, traditionally the cavity would house a spare front sight but in guns with disk-set strikers a spare striker was often kept in there as well (which is a bit strange, seeing how one needs a tool to replace either, a tool which will not be in the compartment along with the other items).

 

[CTDolan]

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...ifle-trap-door-pistol-grip-cap-prod78296.aspx

 

[crs]

Thanks CT, your experience and insight are a blessing to all.
Thanks also for the Brownells link, but I think my next extravagance for my double will be a German silver shield with my initials. And I will continue to keep little accessories such as a back up peep sight, cleaning gear, snap caps, extra front sight, scope, rifle sling ad nauseam in the rifle case which goes everywhere that the rifle does(except of course out into the game fields).

 

[Dutch44]

My Francotte had the spare front sight wrapped in the oil cloth in the grip cap. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[CAustin]

Amazing!

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I don't quite understand this. Why would it be important to have spare front site? Are the fragile? I know almost nothing about double rifles and have never owned one.

 

[Dutch44]

I guess if the front sight is damaged or you want to change the point of impact. I had a Cogswell and Harrison boxlock 450-400 3 1/4 BPE that shot 6 inches high at 50 yards and rectified that situation with a higher front sight.

 

[zephyr]

Correct .... spare front sight

CT I’m going out on a limb and say “strikers”, every one of my English SXS’s be they shot gun or double rifle box lock or side lock has individuality marked left and right strikers or firing pins their extra sets are marked as well.

 

[CTDolan]

CT I’m going out on a limb and say “strikers”, every one of my English SXS’s be they shot gun or double rifle box lock or side lock has individuality marked left and right strikers or firing pins their extra sets are marked as well.

You are quite right!

 

[Mlibizi 8182]

You are quite right!

Many many years ago I bought a pristine George Gibbs boxlock with pistol grip reservoir. It had two strikers & one front site wrapped in a wax paper. I doubt that they had ever been removed. I have had three George Gibbs, by coincidence within 20 serial number of each other all had the same cap but the other two had nothing inside. I sure wish I have never sold the first one a .450-400 31/4. Regulated perfect out to 150 meters never tried it farther than that.