Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a beautiful upmarket British-made Double Barreled Hammer shotgun, probably intended for the large U.S. import market. This example in 12 bore was made by the famous makers W. & C. Scott & Son, and is marked W. & C. SCOTT & SON on both highly decorated lock plates. W. & C. Scott started in 1834 and were well known for their better class shotguns. The name changed in 1858 to W. & C. Scott & Son and in 1897 they merged with P. Webley & Son to become the World famous WEBLEY SCOTT REVOLVER & ARMS COMPANY LIMITED. This means that all W. & C. Scott & Son marked guns are definitely considered Pre-1899 Antique Firearms by Federal Law.

This lovely upmarket example from this company was made around 1890-1891, when the U.S. Export market was booming. It definitely looks to be a "deluxe" grade, featuring fantastic high relief engraving on almost all of fittings. The lock plates in particular have some beautiful oak leaf designs at the front and back, and the action has lots of spiral foliate designs that look almost like fern "fiddleheads". The barrels are definitely "Damascus" forged, which gives a lovely pattern due to the laminated nature of the steel, which also adds strength. The finish is very well retained, and the patterns are still clearly visible. The furniture is fantastic, with the figured walnut butt stock having a great carved in and checkered "pistol grip", and it almost has a "burl" level of figuring to the grain, with a high level of chatoyancy. The fore grip also has some great grain, though it is hard to see as the wood is almost fully checkered.

The barrel strap still has a clear marking near the breech:

W. & C. SCOTT & SON MAKERS &. PATENTEES. LONDON.

We also noticed that the top of the left barrel is marked The Zephyr, a term that was very popular in the U.S. export market. We do not know if this is for a specific configuration or not, as we were not able to find any further information. There is also a small oval nickel silver escutcheon on the bottom of the butt stock, which is unmarked.

The bottoms of each barrel bear the correct Birmingham proof marks on the flat portion, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. There is also the CROWN / BP definitive "black powder" proof, seen on late 19th century guns, which is stamped further down on the barrels. Both barrels are marked with 12, indicating that the shotgun is in 12 bore (0.729"), and there is also a 12 / C in a Diamond marking, indicating that the chambers are 12 gauge, and about 2 1/2 long. Next to this on both is CHOKE, indicating that the muzzle of both barrels are "choked", and should not be used with slugs or any type of solid projectile. The use of a "choke" in the barrel was intended to help with the spread of shot, and came into use during the last decade of so of the 19th century. These are the style of proof marks used from 1887 to 1896 in Birmingham. There is an ENGLAND stamp on both barrels, which is faintly struck, and a sure sign of exportation.

The shotgun is marked with serial number 47072 on the bottom of the right barrel, on the tail of the trigger guard, on the fitting for the fore stock, and on the receiver "watertable" inside the hinge joint, so no parts have been lost or swapped out over the years. There are additional Birmingham "viewed" proofs on the table, as well as several patent markings from W & C SCOTT & SON. We also see the "Castellated Tower" proof marking on the right side of the watertable, which is also present on the trigger guard near the serial number. There are not precise serial records available for the company, however 1891 production was supposed to have begun around serial 47,000, so this gun was made in 1890 or 1891.

This lovely upmarket DOUBLE BARREL 12 Bore Hammer Shotgun presents very nicely, still in great shape despite being well over 100 years of age. It does not look to have seen a large amount of use, and we also do not see any signs of restoration or repairs. It is all iron mounted, and the engraving is still very well retained throughout. The butt stock has a very nice textured horn butt pad, which is really in great shape, showing very little in the way of cracking or other damage. The stock wood itself is still great on both the butt and fore stock, showing just a bit more wear on the fore stock.

The action still functions correctly, breaking open using the rear lever with ejection and dry firing. The fore stock can be removed relatively easily by pulling down on the front, allowing the shotgun barrel to be removed for cleaning. The locks do not have any provision for a half cock position, which is common for a hammer shotgun. It is fitted with "rebounding" style hammers, which strike the back of the firing pin and then return to the uncocked position. The firing pins both move freely, and do not look to have been fitted with any type of springs. We checked the bores, and they look almost like the gun has never been used. They are mirror bright and would be nearly impossible to improve upon.

A fantastic upmarket 12 bore hammer shotgun by a Legendary Maker of British shotguns, ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1890
Caliber: 12 bore (0.729") - Choked - 2 1/2 chambers
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 Inches
Overall Length: 44 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks with External Hammers
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.