just got a new old shotgun

[54mountain]

I just picked up an old 14ga dbl barrel it appears to be all original, I can't find any markings on the barrel other than the date 1804 and a 4 digit serial no. 7506 and what looks like the initials JB with what looks like a flag behind it and also E
L G
*
In an oval stamped on the bottem of the right barrel
any info will be welcome will try to post pics later today thanks for any help
By the way its got 33 in barrels and is a very good shooter I gave $200 for it the guy i got it from beat the tar out of me at our spring shoot with it and said he'd take $200 for it if I cleaned it sounded like a deal to me :haha: :haha:

 

[Roy]

Looking forward to the pics :thumbsup:

 

[54mountain]

here.s some pic

the second one shows the markings on the bottom of the barrels, also there's what appears to be a patch box on the bottom of the stock but it is only about 1/2 in around and 2 in deep sorry it doesn't show well in the photos any ideas?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Is there a threaded hole in either end of the ramrod? If so, the hole in the bottom of the stock would be a great place to carry a patch pulling screw.

 

[54mountain]

Why yes there is, I was thinking that might be what it was for but it was so much smaller than the bore that I kinda dismissed it. but a worm or spring puller would fit nicely.

 

[camo trky]

The gun is made in belgian .The # 17.? I cant make it out on your right barrel is in millimeters. 17.6 = 14 ga. You can find this information in dixie gun works catalog. The belgian barrels are gen. very good .I have a few org. and most are good shooters. What load are you shooting?

 

[54mountain]

It is 17.6, thanks for the info at least I know where it came from, I have heard that belgian guns were good the guy I got it from didn't Know alot about it but shot it regularly he used 80g ffg and an equal volume of shot around 1 1/8 oz. Near as I can tell I think Its cylinder bore they both mic out at .700

 

[camo trky]

You made a good buy these old dbls. if they are still sound will shoot better then the pedersoli. Take good care of her keep her clean she will last for another 150 years.

 

[ol vern]

also there's what appears to be a patch box on the bottom of the stock but it is only about 1/2 in around and 2 in deep sorry it doesn't show well in the photos any ideas?
[/quote]
I have seen that box used to carry caps.

 

[JV Puleo]

A "trade quality" Belgian double. Tens of thousands of them were made and sold in the US between abut the 1840s and the 1880s. In fact, I'd guess that most doubles in use here were similar. Belgian proof was almost as demanding as British proof so if the barrels are in good condition there shouldn't be any problem shooting it with black powder. The previous posters are right in that there are no commercially made reproductions that come close to these.

 

[Titus]

That ones real purty. :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[flintlockmdj]

I would like to complement you on your purchase and on the good sharp quality of your pictures. Good pictures make identification so much easier.

 

[54mountain]

Thanks for the complement I've been shootin' pictures almost as long as BP and collect cameras also, this is my first digital so I'm still learnin' what it'll do.

what got me on this gun is it still has the original locks,they're engraved the same as the trigger guard a lot of the old ones I've seen have had the locks replaced. Although the mainspring on the left lock has been replaced.

 

[Todd Rickard]

Its known as a cap box on the stock, but would work best for a worm.
I just purchased an original Engllish 10ga double and I can't wait for it to arrive.

 

[flintlockmdj]

Could you post a better picture of the cap box? Years ago I purchased a box of junk gun parts and it had a very small capbox in it like you mentioned I would like to compare them if I could.

 

[54mountain]

Here's a pic of the cap box hope it helps

 

[lavallee]

ELG in an oval is the mark of a Belgium made firearm.

 

[mmahlock]

According to a group of collectors of Belgium guns, the Spangled ELG in an oval - is an acceptance mark used of 1846 to 1893.

 

[54mountain]

Thanks for the info, so I take it that the 1804 on the bottem of the barrel must not be a date?
And it had to be made after 1846,thats cool, it's good to Know this stuff. If I'm gonna talk about it I might as well have my facts right.

Thanks again :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Percussion ignition systems didn't come along until after 1820 in any form, so the gun could not date to 1804. That may be a serial number, as far as that goes. I can't see that number in the pictures you have shown of the bottom of the barrels, so it is also possible that it should be 18.4 instead of 1804, and that would be a designation in Millimeters for the barrel the numbers are located on. The 14 gauge is every bit as good as a 12, but just didn't survive the change to smokeless powder and cartridge systems. There was not enough difference between the 12 ga. and the 16 ga. to leave a demand for the 14 ga. Funny how that works out. We still have the 10 ga. and everything bigger has become obsolete, save the 8 gauge for some industrial uses. Even the 15 ga. is dying , if not dead, and the 24 gauge died before WWI. That leaves us, 10, 12, 16,( maybe), 20, and 28 gauges, and the .410 bore shotgun for modern cartridge guns. Its always nice to go to a BP shotgun shoot and see the " odd " gauges still being used, and still breaking targets. Practice at a regulation Trap or Skeet field, and you will educate a lot of shooters who never knew there were such things as a 14 ga. shotgun. Makes you want to go out to those ranges tomorrow, doesn't it? :hatsoff: