Finally got a old BP dbl barrel

[Winger Ed.]

I don't shoot the modern shotguns I have, but always wanted a BP double barrel to hang on the wall.

I saw this one at the local thrift store.
I looked at it and thought, 'Oh noooo,,,'.

No makers marks or numbers.
The muzzle measures .710" and the barrels are 35" long.
What ever parts of the stock aren't broken and patched together by someone working at the dinner table, are cracked.
The right side panel and hammer was replaced with plain one that doesn't fit much less match.
The hammers are different and the RH one doesn't hit the nipple- but it's OK, the RH trigger doesn't work either.
The LH side plate engraving was sanded through to hot blue them and the barrels, before it was left to rust away.
The trigger/hammer springs in it are broken.
The stock was re-varnished, along with the trigger guard.
The brass buttplate and rear of the stock was painted black to look 'modern'.
The lug under the barrels that hold them to the stock is gone-
but that's OK, the stock is broken off where the hold down screw goes anyway.
Most of the screws going into the wood have been replaced by larger ones 'borrowed' from under the kitchen table.

On the good side:
I always wanted a old shotgun to hang on the wall,
and for $55. I just couldn't leave it there.

All the proof marks are still readable under the barrels, they may be a good research project to identify it.

[00buck]

Looks a fun project.
Work your magic on it
Make it look pretty again
Hang it on your wall.

I was gifted one like that.. not as bad as yours though.
Refurbished the stocks , polished up the brass and had to make a new ramrod.
Looks good

[Winger Ed.]

polished up the brass and had to make a new ramrod.

I hadn't thought about a ram rod. It doesn't look like it has a place to hold one on board.
I guess you had to carry them separately back then.

The rust & corrosion looks so bad, I'd never trust it to be safe to fire again.

[Theditchman]

I posted all the Birmingham and London proof marks not long ago if that will help you..at least you will know if its British or not

[Theditchman]

Here are the proof marks again

[Winger Ed.]

Here are the proof marks again

Found 'em.
The proof marks are Belgian, used from 1852 until 1892.
They proofed unfinished barrels 3 times.

The marks jive up, and there are 3 on each barrel.
And as best I can make out: "Patent No. 20"
What look like inspector's stamps is a 13 and a 15 on each barrel.
I guess these were all stamped before they were soldered together.

The checkering, and engraving on the trigger guard and LH sideplate remind me of European work.
If the makers name was on the RH side plate- its the one that was replaced and is blank.
The hammer & side plate sort of looks like it came from a Civil War era musket and was made to fit.

I found some pictures of this one, but they just say antique Belgian shotgun- no manufacturer.

[flyingmonkey35]

That's a beautiful piece. Clean it. Pllosh it. and hang it on the wall.

I'm not sure I'd want to fire it. But I'm sure you could both just BP.



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[toot]

what not's to like about it? I like it., and it is a perfect candidate for the place of honor on the wall. it served it's original owner faithfully, be fore it was treated like a bad not wanted item any more.

[sharps4590]

I find the copper, Selous plates very interesting. You just don't see that done often.

[Tatume]

When I was a child I had an old LC Smith hammer gun that was missing both locks. I fabricated faux lock plates and played with that gun for years.

[45workhorse]

Make up good story to tell on how the stock got cracked.

[pietro]

.

It's got serious character - I wouldn't change a thing, except for where I wanted to hang it (or stand it up next to the fireplace).

Well worth the cost.....

.

[sackettboys]

I wouldn't pass it up either, great character especially with the copper repair.

[Winger Ed.]

Got to tinkering with this thing today.

It has had a hard life.
But its even more complete than I first thought---- it even came loaded.

I'm not sure what the wadding is on top of the shot, but they meant for it to stay loaded too.
I flattened out a brass welding rod to poke around in there with.
So far, I'm getting out a mix of rust, soot, and what looks like 1/2 BB and 1/2 #8 shot.

[sackettboys]

It's amazing the number of old muzzleloaders that are still found loaded having been passed down thru several generations.

[Winger Ed.]

It's amazing the number of old muzzleloaders that are still found loaded having been passed down thru several generations.

It's pretty common.
I guess it's the only way to keep one ready for a quick shot for defense or hunting.

There was a article years ago about someone finding a loaded pistol that had been sitting since the early 1800's.
The author un-loaded it, cleaned it, loaded the powder charge back in, charged the pan, and it fired.

[EMC45]

My brother had single shot 45 caliber pistol that was all messed up in the hammer/sear that I took all apart to get the lock working right. After I go the lock squared away I dug around in the bore and it felt soft. I dug out a bunch of old newspaper and a healthy charge of RED DOT smokeless powder underneath.

[BPJONES]

I picked up a double barrel muzzleloader circa 1850 a few months ago. Both barrels were still loaded with shot. Of course I don't know how recently it had been loaded but it had been awhile. You have to check these things because ya never know!

[megasupermagnum]

I picked up a double barrel muzzleloader circa 1850 a few months ago. Both barrels were still loaded with shot. Of course I don't know how recently it had been loaded but it had been awhile. You have to check these things because ya never know!

Did you happen to take note of what the wadding was?

[Winger Ed.]

Did you happen to take note of what the wadding was?

Not sure exactly, it was so deteriorated, it fell out almost like a powder, but my impression was that it was either Kleenex or toilet paper.

Oppps, I thought you were asking me.