Another auction find

[Steel Hayes]

Won the auction for a song, definitely an interesting 20 gauge.
Can’t seem to find the builders name at all.
Listed as W.D. Carlton and it’s a Woodstock V ?
Anyone ever see one like this before?

 

[smoothshooter]

Looks English to me.

 

[bang]

If it has the loop flat spring like Mowrey does I wouldn't shoot it. Break that spring and good luck finding one. Bids to make a spring like that are $300 plus.

 

[user 48679]

IMO, it looks a lot like an Allen & Thurber

 

[AZshot]

Anyone paying $300 for a simple u-spring needs to shop around more.

 

[deerstalkert]

Mowrey's spring is a tad bit more than a simple u spring.

 

[frankie]

Won the auction for a song, definitely an interesting 20 gauge.
Can’t seem to find the builders name at all.
Listed as W.D. Carlton and it’s a Woodstock V ?
Anyone ever see one like this before?
View attachment 138258View attachment 138259View attachment 138260View attachment 138261View attachment 138262View attachment 138263

look under the Butt plate or barrel channel.

 

[Steel Hayes]

@frankie ,
As soon as it arrives next week, I’ll post some photos and see if it shows any marks.

 

[AZshot]

What is complicated about that? Any gunsmith should be able to make a basic spring that doesn't require any precision cuts or fitting, cheaply. But saying don't shoot a shootable gun because you might break a spring is borrowing a jack.

 

[Treestalker]

Been a while since the doctors banned me from blacksmithing (coal fueled) due to lung trouble, but I will make any such simple spring for only $189.99 each (Holes and or thickened ends, etc. extra, three (3) minimum order) shipped in the lower 48, Please remit a drawing with specs and cetera., Your Humble Servant, Geo. P.S. Cash Only sent to my esteemed cousin Brent in Texas, LOL! P.P.S.- Screws for the above springs available with pricing on request...

 

[Steel Hayes]

A follow up, I finally received the gun and it’s definitely not a 20 gauge, it’s a 24.
There seems to be markings under the stamped names, but really hard to make out.
Strangest shotgun I’ve ever run across.

 

[PathfinderNC]

After a few quick shots that barrel will be pretty hot to handle. Not a Trap gun for sure.

 

[Steel Hayes]

@PathfinderNC ,
I've tried holding it in different places and the only comfortable spot is having my right hand on the stock and trigger and my left hand gripping the front of the trigger guard and the bottom of the last rod thimble.
That seems to be the best way to hold it to your shoulder.

 

[cynthialee]

nice looking smooth rifle, for its age
as noted, certainly not a trap gun, without any wood on the barrel to grip, you get about 2 shots before it becomes hot

I suspect it was envisioned as a hunters gun. Only need the one shot to put meat in the pot.

 

[Steel Hayes]

A gentleman on another forum found the information I was looking for,
Wales D Carlton was a gunsmith in Woodstock Vermont before his death in 1861.
So the smoothbore was made prior to 1861.

 

[TFoley]

A gentleman on another forum found the information I was looking for,
Wales D Carlton was a gunsmith in Woodstock Vermont before his death in 1861.
So the smoothbore was made prior to 1861.

Yup, it actually is stamped showing it -