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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Sporting Guns and Rifles >> What is a nitro paradox?
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1113331891

Message started by weejimmy100 on 04/12/05 at 7:51pm

Title: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by weejimmy100 on 04/12/05 at 7:51pm

Can someone enlighten me on the definition of a Nitro Paradox rifle? I see the name used to describe double rifles, most usually big bore game guns. Is there a specific caliber, or range of calibers etc that make up a "Paradox"? Does Nitro refer to the powder, ie as opposed to a Black Powder Paradox?

Thanks
Jim

Title: Re: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by dbm on 04/12/05 at 8:25pm

According to T.F. Fremantle's 1901 "Book of the Rifle":

"In 1886 Messrs. Holland brought out the Paradox gun, the invention of Colonel Fosbery. The Paradox gun may be described as an ordinary gun with an exggerated choke at the muzzle, the choked part being rifled with several grooves inclined at an angle. The conical bullet when fired travels up the smooth part of the barrel, and in the last three or four inches just before leaving the muzzle is caught and twisted, the sharp lands of the rifling cutting into it, and so leaves the muzzle with an ample spin to keep it steady. This gun, which makes very close shooting with shot, is a capital weapon for general work, but it would be hard to say that it is better than various other guns designed for the same purpose by different makers, whether they be called Ubique, Colindian, Cosmos, or by any other fancy name."

David

Title: Re: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by weejimmy100 on 04/14/05 at 4:56pm

Was the idea that it would work both as a shotgun and a rifle? So one gun for all shooting.
Thanks
Jim

Title: Re: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by dbm on 04/14/05 at 5:50pm

That's my understanding, although until you raised the question I don't recall hearing of the Paradox gun before. I must have skimmd through the pages on sporting guns when I read Fremantle's book several years ago! :)

David

Title: Re: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by FBoulton on 04/14/05 at 9:45pm

There is a Holland & Holland paradox rifle for sale on Mick Shephard's site: WWW.micksguns.com
Includes picture of bore.
Regards,
Fred.

Title: Re: What is a nitro paradox?
Post by weejimmy100 on 04/15/05 at 2:41am

That's the one that sparked my interest. Other than the price it looks like a nice buy.
Jim