J. E. Evans Philadelphia - combination shotgun-rifle.

Fine Combination Shotgun Rifle

16 gauge & .40 cal. 30" barrels, percussion, checkered walnut, brass trim, marked
J. E. Evans, Philadelphia.​

This is a 16 gauge & .40 cal. barrels - 30" in overall length including the breech plug. These bores dimensions appear ideal for our 16 gauge wads and .390 round ball. The barrel bores are in shoot able condition with no dark pits. The barrel is proof marked with European proof marks, possibly English, on the bottom of the breech, the barrels were exported to North America from England.

These are quality locks with the makers name engraved on the inside J. E. Evans Philadelphia. The tail of the lock plate, and hammer are engraved with a floral pattern. The percussion hammers are late 1800's style with a European influence on the architecture. Stocked in walnut the butt does have a few mild stripes of figure, but is essentially straight grain which is ideal for such a combination bore shotgun/rifle. The wrist and forearm are both checkered to provide a secure grip. The barrels are fitted to the stock with a single captured key. Put the locks at half cock, and drift the wedge key. The barrels can then be removed for easy cleaning. Instead of a capture slot, a groove and pin prevent the wedge key from being completely removed from the stock, which prevents loss of the fitted key. This shotgun has a 14” and 13" trigger reach, which should fit today's average size shooter well. It weighs 10.8 pounds. Stocked straight, it could easily be used by a right or left hand shooter. The brass trigger guard has a engraved bow and grip rail. The trigger guard is threaded to the front trigger plate, and a single screw mounts the grip rail to the stock. The ramrod is fitted with a large brass loading tip.

The sighting arrangement is of the European style with the rear sight having a double notch. Which side do use, right notch for the right barrel or the left notch for the right barrel - crossing over, interesting?

The front sight uses the broad band and a flat wide barrel rib seen on English SXS and combination guns. The barrels are 30" overall in length. The name J. E. Evans, 226 South. St. Philadelphia. makes one believe this firm may have been an importer rather than a manufacturer.
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In the German books “Heer Der Neue Stockel Vol. I & Vol. 2” These books cover from 1400-1900 era arms manufacturers from around the world.

[Heer Der Neue Stockel Vol. 1]
I found a “James Edward Evans”, 200 South 325 West St. Philadelphia, 1868-1887 ”“ FD died Feb. 1891. arms builder of common rifles and shotguns. In business (per tax records) from 1868-1884, business sold to Edward K. Tryon of the same city.
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NRA condition would be close to or a little above the NRA-Very Good rating. It's an honest 85% antique firearm that hasn't been messed with. The bores are dark, but not pitted (since these pictures were taken I started scrubbing the bores and there "is light at the end of the tunnel". Think they will clean up with some shine when done.

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NRA Grading Guide for Firearms

PerfectIn new condition in every respect.

ExcellentNew condition, used little, no noticable marring of wood or metal, blueing perfect (except at muzzle or sharp edges.)

Very GoodIn perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.

GoodIn safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no broken parts, no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.

FairIn working condition but well worn, perhaps requiring replacement of minor parts or adjustments, no rust but may have corrosion pits which do not render article unsafe or inoperable.

 

[Lorne Johnson]

Yes! I have seen JE Evans as an importer of quality London guns on the "doublegun.com" bulletin board. As I remember, Evans offered some cartridge double guns made up by a James Purdy of London (hard to beat that).

There is also an Evans (percussion) import on TOW.

 

[rabjr]

I liked it until I saw the weight. No wonder it's in such good shape, no one wanted to use it. :haha:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

The weight is the consequence of making the .40 caliber barrel the same outside diameter as the shotgun tube.
Here is an over & under I built up which weighed seven pounds even but the shotgun tube was only 32 gauge and .45 caliber rifle.

Here is the left side showing how I arranged the hammer for the lower barrel to avoid the problem of a very long flash channel.

 

Good looking double Joe.

I have had a dozen over/under guns like yours purchased back in the 50's and 60's. They were real common with many on the market during this period. Turner Kirkland of Dixie Gun Works was a friend of my father and would high grade and send them to us for resale. The better ones we kept.

In the 1870's through the 1890's the Europeans flooded the market with SXS guns. The American builders wanted to cash in by building SXS and over/unders to meet the demand for shotguns. Names like H.E. Dimick & Co-Phila, Pa., J.F. Merriman-Memphis, Tn., Wm. Trout-Pottstown, Pa.and Jacob Harder-Lock Haven, Pa. were some of the better known builders.


Here's an example of an original that's for sale now on one of the auction sights.

Neat idea for using the SXS locks on the over/under.​