The little mystery smoothbore.

[Oleredbeard]

Hello everyone,
I was given this old smooth bore as a kid and packed it around for a long time off and on growing up. I never got around to actually identifying it and was hoping someone here possibly could.
I think it is Belgian proof marked ELG but I do not know. The gun might weigh 2 lb if that and possibly may have been converted to cap.

 

[Sam squanch]

It was born a caplock. Maybe Turner Kirkland imported it from Belgium back in the day. Looks like a nice little gun! I don’t think it’s too old....has that 1960’s to 1970’s “look “ to it.

 

[Britsmoothy]

What bore is it?

 

[Oleredbeard]

I don't know to be honest. I will however measure it with a micrometer. I've always thought it looked roughly the diameter of either a 28ga or a 60cal.

 

[Oleredbeard]

What bore is it?

Around a half inch inner diameter or 12.2 mm.
Swamped barrel.

 

[GANGGREEN]

It's cute. I like it.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Around a half inch inner diameter or 12.2 mm.
Swamped barrel.

That's great. Bet it shoots 3/4oz nice and surprise you how well it shoots a ball.

 

[Oleredbeard]

That's great. Bet it shoots 3/4oz nice and surprise you how well it shoots a ball.

I've never shot round balls in it. Just shot. Always been afraid of doing so due to its unknown history.

 

[Winterhawk]

I hope someone can give more information on this; it sure is a cutey!

~WH~

 

[Oleredbeard]

Here's a few more pictures to give an idea of it's size

 

[Oleredbeard]

A few more with some measurements.

 

[Keb]

The oval ELG + star mark is a Belgian proof mark used on black powder barrels I'm no expert but the .47 might be bore size like .47 cal maybe?

 

[Eterry]

I think it has Turner Kirtland's finger prints all over it.
Im thinking 60s or 70s, not sure if i still have catalogs from then. I did have the centennial edition. I loaned it out and never got it back.
Looks good enough to run ball thru it, imho.

 

[Oleredbeard]

It was given to me around 30 years ago. I shot it quite a bit back then but don't use it much any more. I have put a many a rabbit and squirrel in the pot with it though.
The man that gave it to me said his brother brought it home from Europe but never said when.

 

[Oleredbeard]

I think it has Turner Kirtland's finger prints all over it.
Im thinking 60s or 70s, not sure if i still have catalogs from then. I did have the centennial edition. I loaned it out and never got it back.
Looks good enough to run ball thru it, imho.

I will try to look around online and see what I can find about Turner Kirtland products.
I've never shot a ball through it but sure used to shoot alot of shot in it. Doesn't throw a very good pattern but it does the job decent enough most of the time.

 

[Musketeer]

I knew who Eterry was talking about, so I didn't say anything, but if you're not familiar with him and you're going to do a search, it's Turner Kirkland (founder of Dixie Gun Works).

 

[Rudyard]

Plain modest Belgium beech stocked little gun of no pretensions. ,Bit unusual how they stocked that odd shaped lock .,Never seen flintlock. Ball wont hurt it be less stress than shot.. Its evidently in good hands .Not that old 60s maybe.
Regards Rudyard

 

[ppg1949]

I agree It looks very much like my Dixie Gun Works single barrel 28 gauge shotgun, from the 1970’s. Perhaps Turner Kirkland got his inspiration from just such a shotgun. Although mine was made in Spain. The stock shape and furniture are nearly identical except for the nose cap. Mine is marked 28 gauge but is 13.3mm=.526=32 gauge with no choke. And has an octagon to round 32 inch barrel. The market needs a shotgun like this at a reasonable price.

 

[Sam squanch]

Try it with the sky chief load!

 

[Sam squanch]

Mr kibler, there is a market for these small shotguns. Are you listening?