Need help understanding what I have

[JJLefty51]

I am new to this forum. I am trying to understand what I have and if its real or something that was just thrown together.

 

[Kansas Jake]

You have an original antique. I’m not well versed enough to give you more specific information. It appears to be a shotgun from around 1845 or later.

 

[Sam squanch]

Looks like the real thing to me. Well used percussion fowler.

 

[2 shots]

 

[Sam squanch]

Run the ramrod down the barrel and make sure it’s not loaded, many old ones are.

 

[cynthialee]

it is old, shame what happened to the stock, not a fan of how they used copper wire...a sinew wrap after reinforcing that spot would serve better and more sure to hold

 

[FlaminCrow]

Beautiful antique. What’s the bore size?

 

[OldRust]

Welcome to the Forum, my guess is one of the mid 1800's English Fowlers. If you carefully remove the barrel, you may find English proof marks on the underside. As mentioned above check first to see if it is loaded.

The English Cox family of gun makers info below is from another forum that is specific to shotguns.

Thanks,
O.R.
<CLIP>

"Cox & Co

By the time that Clayton had ceased trading in Southampton two other
gunsmiths had already established themselves. Champion Hayes was at 9
Briton Street from 1852-76, when he moved to 12 Charlotte Street. He ceased
trading sometime after 1883, but again we know little of his activities. John
Cox appears in Brewhouse Lane in 1836, and the Cox name was to remain in
Southampton until the mid 1980's.

Clive Elliston February 2003 Page 4
In 1839 John Cox is listed at West Street, and from 1843-51 at 13 High Street.
By 1847 Cox had premises at 7 Bernard Street, where he is listed until 1863. A
directory for 1853 shows that Cox also had a Rifle and Pistol Gallery at
College Street.
Around 1864 Mrs. Mary Ann Cox took over the business, and was listed at
Bernard Street until 1875. In 1876 the name of the business was changed to M.
A. Cox & Sons. 1884 sees William Cox, presumably the "& Son," listed at
Bernard Street. In 1887, to confuse matters, M. A. Cox & Son and William Cox
are both listed at 7 Bernard Street! From this date until 1920 the business is
listed as Cox & Son, and from 1888 it was also operating from two premises, as
another shop was opened at 28 High Street.
An advertisement in the 1884 issue of Stevens' Directory of Southampton
describes M. A. Cox & Son as "practical gun makers" and offers hammer guns
at 10 guineas. Cox & Son are also described as "cutlers - cutlery ground by
steam power daily." The advert also bears the legend "established 1830." Both
businesses were at that time operated from 7 Bernard Street. It appears that
later the High Street address became the gunsmiths, and that Bernard Street
housed the cutlers."

 

[LSLibelo]

Welcome from California.

 

[BoomStick]

For the age, this is a good condition original. Unless you know what you're doing and need to check the barrel for a very good reason, I would not recommend pulling the barrel from the stock. It appears to have a standing breech, which makes removing a little easier, but wood is thin and over 150 years old. A compromised wrist and unknown condition of the forestock and wedges, the gun could come apart in unexpected ways.

Lovely wood. Make sure it's not loaded and give it a good coating of renaissance wax and hang it. If you think you want to shoot it, send it to a smith that knows old guns and their restoration. I'd recommend Brian LaMaster for that work.

 

[Wncman]

I am new to this forum. I am trying to understand what I have and if its real or something that was just thrown together.View attachment 378224

Broken or not it has an impressive bird’s eye stock