Novice side by side question?

[wildfowler.250]

So having barely used a sbs since a kid I quite fancy picking one up for an occasional change of pace.

 

What I was wondering is what does this area highlighted on the sidelock do? Nealry all the levers I’ve seen seem to be horizontal. I’ve noticed a gun I’m interested in that is second hand and this lever is angled at almost 11 o’clock/45 degrees and I can’t decide if that’s functional and normal or if it’s likely damaged,(the wood around this lever is also a little rough to be fair).

 

If anyone can shed some light on the above it would be really appreciated more from my own knowledge than anything.

 

Cheers!

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, usualy to hold the side plate on , 

[bluesj]

Its a fancy screw to be able to remove the locks without tools, eg hand detachable locks.

[London Best]

The lever is a Holland and Holland pattern hand detachable lock.

On a H&H gun there is a tiny pimple on the lock plate which positions/holds the lever horizontal in the correct position to prevent over tightening.  
I have not seen this pimple on some Spanish copies of the Royal action, but that does not mean that none have it.

[JohnfromUK]

35 minutes ago, London Best said:

I have not seen this pimple on some Spanish copies of the Royal action, but that does not mean that none have it.

I have never seen the pimple on a Spanish gun either.  Most AyA sidelocks use the H&H style lever headed screw. 

The pimple is used on the Merkel 203 (which has the lever head on the right hand lockplate).

[London Best]

I have never seen a pimple on an AYA side lock.
Other makes may have them, or even some AyA’s, but I don’t know.

My Ugartechea side lock does not have hand detachable locks.

Edited December 28, 2021 by London Best

[mattsccm]

A mate has some Spanish sidelock with one of those on. Can't remember what it is. Zabela? 

[enfieldspares]

It's a piece of nonsense touted by Holland and Holland that AYA who whoever knows why copied. It is a "take down" screw. Unscrew it until the tip is clear of the right hand lock. Then push it back into its hole. Not screw but push. And your right lock plate should become easily removable. Then you remove the left lock plate and allow you soaking wet through gun to dry after a rainy day's shooting. The water coming in through the knuckle. Boss don't use it. Purdey don't use it (Purdey guns have a solid knuckle so on them it isn't an issue). I'd advise you the OP not to either as continually having lock plates off and on will eventually spoil the close wood to metal fit that the lock plates sit in and so actually allow ingress of water.

Edited January 1, 2022 by enfieldspares

[ditchman]

you wil also have a cocking inicator....its a screw that is filled with gold

[London Best]

8 hours ago, enfieldspares said:

It's a piece of nonsense touted by Holland and Holland that AYA who whoever knows why copied. It is a "take down" screw. Unscrew it until the tip is clear of the right hand lock. Then push it back into its hole. Not screw but push. And your right lock plate should become easily removable. Then you remove the left lock plate and allow you soaking wet through gun to dry after a rainy day's shooting. The water coming in through the knuckle. Boss don't use it. Purdey don't use it (Purdey guns have a solid knuckle so on them it isn't an issue). I'd advise you the OP not to either as continually having lock plates off and on will eventually spoil the close wood to metal fit that the lock plates sit in and so actually allow ingress of water.

Totally correct, as usual.