|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
I have a fine old double barrel 12 ga. I'm wondering if anyone can tell any history about it. Here's what I already know. It is finely engraved all over. It has a horn butt plate. It has external hammers and double triggers. It is a sidelock with a dolls head breach and double locking bolts in the receiver. The only markings are Hy Wynian on the right sideplate, and London, Fine Damascus on the rib. These markings are engraved, not stamped and there is no serial number. The underside of the barrels have double British proof marks, and one barrel is marked, Not for ball.
I have learned that the double proof marks mean that it was proofed with black powder. The practice was to proof test the barrels as soon as they were made, and if they held together they were fitted to a receiver, and then proof tested again. The British only used the, Not for ball, markings from 1887 to 1899 to signify that the barrel was choked. Therefore it's between 110 and 122 years old.
I'm not interested is shooting it or selling it, just curious. I'd love to hear any further information anyone cares to share. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604 |
Sure sounds pretty I think we need pics!
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37, verse 4.
"The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt." Proverbs 12:27
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 520
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 520 |
If you don't get an answer here, try www.doublegunshop.com "Doublegun BBS" forum.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,164
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,164 |
It takes a village to raise an idiot.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 26 |
Do not shoot that shotgun, even if tempted! Damascus barrels will not hold modern pressures and firing it would be extremely dangerous!
Put it on the wall and admire it for it's workmanship.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
Wouldn't dream of shooting it even with black powder. Though it would probably be safe with black. It's way too nice to take a chance on.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411 |
not a thread hijack....and it's probably best to confine Damascus barrels to black or equivalent pressure smokeless....but the "damascus will blow up with nitro loads" thing is pretty much a myth.
like so many firearms stories....it's been repeated so many times that "everybody knows" it, even though it isn't factual.
many, many damsacus guns were nitro proved. Double Gun Journal did a big controlled test on this within the last year or two....couldn't blow up a damascus gun with any sane load. Anybody intersted in the subject should have a look at the DGJ article....Ross Seyfried has also written on the subject.
Of course, one should use caution with any used gun, particularly one more than a century old, and have it checked out.
Proudly representing oil companies, defense contractors, and firearms manufacturers since 1980. Because merchants of death need lawyers, too.
|
|
|
|
185 members (12344mag, 2UP, 44mc, 10Glocks, 1100mag, 23 invisible),
1,577
guests, and
1,069
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,749
Posts18,495,271
Members73,977
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|