Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice British Double Barrel percussion shotgun, in what looks to be 10 bore, a very popular size then. It is fitted with a 33" double barrels and measures 49" in overall length. There is lovely ornate foliate engraving on most of the metalwork, though it is somewhat faded due to wear. This shotgun was intended for the North American trade, and is marked both locks by retailer Fifield & Richardson of Boston, Massachusetts, a known retailer of the time. Below this the locks show some fantastic engraving on both sides, showing game birds on the ground and in flight.
The barrel assembly on this gun is relatively standard, with the two barrels joined by a central rib. We can see from the finish pattern that it was spiral forged, and it can still be removed relatively easily from the stock by driving out the wedge. On the underside it is marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC proof and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V viewed marks from the English city of Birmingham on the bottoms of both barrels. These are the correct markings for pre-1856 manufacture, after which the bore size and another marking were used. Between the proof marks is the makers name of Hollis & Sheath, a known Birmingham gunmaking company that made high quality weapons from 1852 to 1862. There is also the number 0739, possibly some type of serial number.
Both locks are fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though the hammers themselves show some damage to the striking heads. Both cap nipple cones are present, and look to be working live replacements, as they show less wear than the rest of the gun, though they definitely do still show some use. The wood stock is in very good condition, with a lovely color and grain, probably made from English walnut, a tried and true stock wood. It could also be American walnut, having been fitted with a stock once it was in the U.S.. There are no major cracks we can see, though there is wear, which has made the checkering on the wrist faint. There is still a ramrod under the barrel, probably a working life replacement.
This is a great looking gun, and would look perfect mounted on the wall. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Caliber: 10 bore - about .773 at muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead ball / shot and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 inches
Overall Length: 49 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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 all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the 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 almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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