English .28 Gauge Single Shotgun need Help

[German Jäger]

Hello Friends,

I buy today a nice 1840‘s Snoothbore in 28 Gauge! Very good shape Damast Barrel 86cm all in Function nice little Smoothy!
Please help with Load Advice for Roundball and Shot! I want to use at Deer at Wood Range 40-60 Meters an with Shot fore Pigeon and Phesant .
Hope to hear from you all!

 

[German Jäger]

Here some Pics
Can anyone tell about the Maker an Quality?!

 

[Britsmoothy]

@Feltwad
This feller will know.

Very nice find by the way.

I'm thinking 19g shot loads and about 50 gns of powder will work.
With a ball, maybe 60-80gns of powder.

 

[Sparkitoff]

In 1849 William James King set up as Gunmaker in Birmingham at 6 Bath Street.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Kings Arms sold guns from outsources:

The kings Arms was there from 1828 and had its licence withdrawn in 1917
1828-1829 Swift, Tom, Kings Arms, 40 Whittall St
1839-1845 Hickman, John , King’s Arm’s , 40 Whittall St
1849 Hillman, Mrs Harriet , King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1851-1868 Griffiths, Charles, King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St (also gun maker)
1872-1883 Griffiths, Mrs Louisa, King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1884 Hyde, William, King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1888-1892 Fielding, John, King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1895-1899 Holyoak. Mrs Jane , King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1900 Robertson, Matthew, King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1903-1905 Robinson, Matthew Isaiah , King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1908 Robinson, Mrs Tamar Price , King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St
1912-1917 Holyoak. Mrs Sarah Jane , King’s Arms , 40 Whittall St

 

[German Jäger]

Oh nice information!
Please tell.me sbout ball size and do i eith or without patch use?! Deer size Game Power and accurary? Thanks

 

[bud in pa]

You will probably want a 54 or smaller caliber ball. It will be trial and error. In my 20 gauge I use a ,575 ball in a paper cartridge. I use 70 grains of 3f and get 4 to 5 inch groups at 50 yards. I use the paper cartridges because it gives me a faster second shot if I need it. I carry them in a cartridge box. Just remember each gun is an individual, you wil have to find out what your gun likes.

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Oh nice information!
Please tell.me sbout ball size and do i eith or without patch use?! Deer size Game Power and accurary? Thanks

You have good suggestions from both @Britsmoothy and @bud in pa
I'd use 2 to 3 Drams of powder and a ball of 13.5mm to 13.75mm for starting parameters.
YOU get the fun of finding out what your barrel likes best!
Try different patching materials; then try bare ball with over powder wadding material, then ball with lube, topped over by a card or light wad to retain the ball from moving.
When your load consistently shows a palm-size group at 50 M or so, you are ready to hunt!

 

[German Jäger]

OK so I will do what means palm size

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

OK so I will do what means palm size

A cluster of 5 consecutive shots (from a specific loading) which is small enough to cover completely with your open hand. That is what I meant to say by Palm size group.

 

[German Jäger]

Oh, OK this specific meaning I don’t know in German we say eine handbreit

 

[Britsmoothy]

One hand width...70-100mm approx.

 

[TFoley]

Dram = 27.3 gr. avoirdupois.

Corrected.

 

[TFoley]

Oh, OK this specific meaning I don’t know in German we say eine handbreit

= hand's width. Same thing.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Dram = 68.5 gr. Older English measure of solids AND liquids. The Scots use the term 'dram' as a measure of whisk]y.

27.3gn! Approximately 1/16 of a avoirdupois ounce.
A dram in liquid is 1/8 ounce but not avoirdupois.

 

[BillinOregon]

Just to elaborate and confuse, that Scottish dram might be poured as a "wee deoch an doris" -- a "drink for the door" or "one for the road" as they say here in the Colonies to warm your guest on his or her journey home. Sorry. Couldn't help meself!
That's an absolutely spectactular shotgun you have there, German Jäger. Congratulations, and I hope you can make it perform to your complete satisfaction.

 

[10 Ga.]

Just to make sure there isn’t a mistake….
1dram = 27.34 grains of black powder. two drams = 54.68 grains.
Three drams = 82.02 grains.

Beautiful shotgun by the way! It looks very clean and has a beautiful Damascus pattern.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

I agree with everyone, beautiful gun, congratulations!

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I'm not a big fan of a back action lock unless it is beautifully done, like this. What a fine piece! Enjoy!

 

[Butch Martin]

Hello Friends,

I buy today a nice 1840‘s Snoothbore in 28 Gauge! Very good shape Damast Barrel 86cm all in Function nice little Smoothy!
Please help with Load Advice for Roundball and Shot! I want to use at Deer at Wood Range 40-60 Meters an with Shot fore Pigeon and Phesant .
Hope to hear from you all!

I have no recommendations for a load, but I must say you found a gorgeous shotgun. Congrats from Kentucky.