Found at an estate sale, don't have a clue what it is or its value, "Sylvester Steel Lock"? ...
Found at an estate sale, don't have a clue what it is or its value, "Sylvester Steel Lock"? ...
remove the barrel and look under it for stamping of either english or belgium proofing marks.
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The proof marks appear to indicate a Birmingham (England/Britain) Proof House definitive black powder proof for shotguns.
"CB" may be a maker's mark, but IDK who.
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Last edited by pietro; 03-09-2019 at 07:18 PM.
Now I lay me down to sleep
A gun beside me is what I keep
If I awake, and you're inside
The coroner's van is your next ride
Nice old "piece", that if from Birmingham would place it somewhere around the 1850's. I have a "Cape" gun that is 12x.45 cal (BP) with similar markings. Do you intend on firing it? If you do, I would recommend FFg (only) black powder with a starting load around 50gr with a 1 oz or less of shot for "starters". Look up Birmingham firearms; it tells of a pretty interest history of the company. Congrats on your find.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |