Calling all you Warrior owners

[grantb]

I have a .22 Warrior with the large semicircular trigger guard. The serial number is 1360.

[DrGunn]

I’ve just acquired a relatively early Warrior with the serial number 1719 in 177 and with the semicircular trigger guard.
The grips on mine appear to be horn (the left one is delaminating slightly) and I’ve read reports of both horn and vulcanite grips being used on these. Presumably horn was switched for vulcanite at some point in the manufacture?

[ccdjg]

I’ve just acquired a relatively early Warrior with the serial number 1719 in 177 and with the semicircular trigger guard.
The grips on mine appear to be horn (the left one is delaminating slightly) and I’ve read reports of both horn and vulcanite grips being used on these. Presumably horn was switched for vulcanite at some point in the manufacture?

I have checked my early non-serial numbered Warrior with the half-moon trigger guard, and it has vulcanite grips. ( You can confirm this by applying a red hot needle to the (inside!) surface of the grip and sniffing the fumes. Vulcanite gives a burnt rubber smell, horn gives a burnt hair smell). In addition, as you say, horn can show signs of delamination, as it was made by hot pressing pieces of horn together before it was stained.

I only have anecdotal information about the use of horn, but I definitely also had a Warrior several years ago where the grips were delaminating slightly and the black finish was wearing off along the layers. Unfortunately the gun is long gone and I did not record any details at the time. As the first version of the Warrior was not serial numbered, it will probably be impossible to determine when the use of horn was abandoned. Even so, it would be interesting to hear of anyone else who has a Warrior witn horn grips, as it will give some idea of how common they are.

[DrGunn]

I have checked my early non-serial numbered Warrior with the half-moon trigger guard, and it has vulcanite grips. ( You can confirm this by applying a red hot needle to the (inside!) surface of the grip and sniffing the fumes. Vulcanite gives a burnt rubber smell, horn gives a burnt hair smell). In addition, as you say, horn can show signs of delamination, as it was made by hot pressing peices of horn together before it was stained.

I only have anecdotal information about the use of horn, but I definitely also had a Warrior several years ago where the grips were delaminating slightly and the black finish was wearing off along the layers. Unfortunately the gun is long gone and I did not record any details at the time. As the first version of the Warrior was not serial numbered, it will probably be impossible to determine when the use of horn was abandoned. Even so, it would be interesting to hear of anyone else who has a Warrior witn horn grips, as it will give some idea of how common they are.

I tried the burn and sniff test and got the distinctive burnt hair smell so they are definitely horn. Under a sufficiently bright light they are slightly translucent with an effect similar to tiger eye - it’s almost a shame they are stained. Given that my Warrior is a second series with a serial number I can only assume that the change happened later in its production history.

[ccdjg]

I tried the burn and sniff test and got the distinctive burnt hair smell so they are definitely horn. Under a sufficiently bright light they are slightly translucent with an effect similar to tiger eye - it’s almost a shame they are stained. Given that my Warrior is a second series with a serial number I can only assume that the change happened later in its production history.

But the odd thing is that my first series model, with half-moon trigger guard and no serial number, which must surely predate yours, has a vulcanite grip. I would have assumed that when Frank Clarke handed over the pistol to Accles and Shelvoke for bulk manufacture, the use of horn grips would have been abandoned at that stage, and probably even well before. It looks like there may have been some random use of old stock grips from time to time, perhaps when supplies of the vulcanite grips were short.

[slug-gun]

Here is a very late number for you: 6051

It has the usual markings, ie same as No 4812 for example, except for the addition of 'MADE IN ENGLAND' stamped on the inside of the grip. Not seen this on any other Warrior?

The pistol in near new condition for the record.

[WebleyWombler]

I have 2101 in .177 with recurved trigger guard

[ccdjg]

Here is a very late number for you: 6051

It has the usual markings, ie same as No 4812 for example, except for the addition of 'MADE IN ENGLAND' stamped on the inside of the grip. Not seen this on any other Warrior?

The pistol in near new condition for the record.

That's a great find Chris. It now holds the highest serial number record, and could have been one of the very last batch out of the factory, if not the last one itself. The unusual marking is a bonus and certainly a new one on me.

I am now in a position to put together a table summarising the information contained in this thread, so could you tell me the calibre of your pistol just to complete the record?

Thanks,
John