The Tale of A 200 Year Old Shotgun

[Splitear]

Forgive the (somewhat) double post, but I’m like a proud papa and want to show off my first dive into “antique” guns. Thanks to some helpful info from a few members in the Smoothbore forum, last week I purchased a 10 Bore made by George Davison, Alnwick, England. Mr. Davison was active as a gunmaker from it seems 1809-1826.

It’s really a beautiful piece, Damascus barrel, beautiful furniture and the hardware is stunning. I cannot wait to get my shooting supplies lined out for it and get it to the range.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

That is a beautiful gun! Old World craftsmanship was superb. Good you hear you intend to shoot it. That's what it was built to do. I have a friend that has an 1836 Rigby 50 caliber rifle that is in similar condition and he shoots it often. He even managed to bag a deer with it this last year. Enjoy it and pass it on.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

It IS beautiful.

Not to rain on your parade but there are two things to beware of: With that curly stock, and the age of the gun, watch out for cracks. They are insidious! The other thing I am sure you have already heard about, Damascus barrels. Most gunsmiths simply will not recommend shooting them these days. Your gun looks to be in good shape and was clearly well cared for. That said... look out for Damascus.

If somehow I acquired a gun like that (unlikely at best), and I wanted to shoot it, I would check into the possibility of putting a barrel liner in it... preferably one made of stainless steel. I would make it a heavy barreled 12 or 16 gauge. Ask Mr. Hoyt about that if you are curious. These things used to blow up regularly a hundred years ago... though those were mostly cartridge guns firing smokeless powder loads... which is and was a dumb thing to do.

At very least, keep the loads light and maybe investigate Hogdon Triple 7... which is less corrosive than anything else I am aware of. Those welds are perfect traps for powder to get into and start corroding the barrel.

Some years ago, an old man brought a Damascus barreled gun into the shop where I was working. There were holes corroded in the barrel that we could clearly see without going to any real effort. The kicker was when he told us he was sure it "worked" because he had test-fired it just before bringing it in. He had a couple of 1 1/8th ounce fired 3 dram trap shells to prove it!

God takes care of drunks and fools.

 

[52Bore]

Nice piece..
I like the looks of damascus transition toward the muzzle.
The lock plate started life as a flint- plugged holes.. may have started life as a flint?
Regardless, enjoy!

 

[Stykbow]

That’s absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Winchester97]

That is a stunning piece. I'm shocked at the condition.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

That's a nice gun, don't be afraid to shoot it. All this scary stuff about Damascus is a bunch of BS.
That being said, you do know that the entire gun has been restored? All the metal has been redone, as was the wood. That does affect the value some what, but it sure is pretty and I'd be proud to be seen smashing skeets with it!

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

What bore is that fine gun?

 

[The Crisco Kid]

The OP says it's a 10 bore.

 

[Southernboy]

It is a very nice looking restored piece. I would certainly use it providing the bores are not too bad.

SB

 

[Splitear]

That's a nice gun, don't be afraid to shoot it. All this scary stuff about Damascus is a bunch of BS.
That being said, you do know that the entire gun has been restored? All the metal has been redone, as was the wood. That does affect the value some what, but it sure is pretty and I'd be proud to be seen smashing skeets with it!

Thank you. I absolutley know it was redone. The previous owner said "it was probably restored in the 20's", but I have no idea how he would know that. Regardless, it's very well done and looks great.

It is a 10 bore. I am going to try some light shot loads out of it, and would also like to see how it throws a PRB. If it shoots, my primary objective is going to be to kill a squirrel with it, as is the goal with all of my shotguns and .22's, regardless of age

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I'd shoot an ounce for clays, you might go a bit more if you're going to hunt squirrel, it's a 10 bore after all!
I probably wouldn't shoot round ball in it. That gun was intended for shot. It looks like modern case color to me, probably Turnbull. Nothing wrong with that, he's top of the line.

 

[OldSmoky1967]

Forgive the (somewhat) double post, but I’m like a proud papa and want to show off my first dive into “antique” guns. Thanks to some helpful info from a few members in the Smoothbore forum, last week I purchased a 10 Bore made by George Davison, Alnwick, England. Mr. Davison was active as a gunmaker from it seems 1809-1826.

It’s really a beautiful piece, Damascus barrel, beautiful furniture and the hardware is stunning. I cannot wait to get my shooting supplies lined out for it and get it to the range.

That is amazing. I was in Alnwick, England a few years ago. Very nice area with a lot of history! You have made a great purchase! It is beautiful!

 

[Loja man]

It is an absolutely gorgeous gun! I hope it patterns well for you!

 

[poker]

Thank you. I absolutley know it was redone. The previous owner said "it was probably restored in the 20's", but I have no idea how he would know that. Regardless, it's very well done and looks great.

It is a 10 bore. I am going to try some light shot loads out of it, and would also like to see how it throws a PRB. If it shoots, my primary objective is going to be to kill a squirrel with it, as is the goal with all of my shotguns and .22's, regardless of age

He likely meant 20’s as 20xx. So yeah, theres how he would know. But at any standard, thats a keeper. Use it and be proud!

 

[TFoley]

Thank you. I absolutley know it was redone. The previous owner said "it was probably restored in the 20's", but I have no idea how he would know that. Regardless, it's very well done and looks great.

It is a 10 bore. I am going to try some light shot loads out of it, and would also like to see how it throws a PRB. If it shoots, my primary objective is going to be to kill a squirrel with it, as is the goal with all of my shotguns and .22's, regardless of age

NOT if it's choked.

 

[waksupi]

I have a beautiful 240 year old double guild gun that was obviously used as an estate driven game gun, as it is in excellent condition. It has cloud Damascus barrels, so the only time I ever fired it was with a light load of 1f powder. Nicely engraved and carved, with platinum inlay. I should sell it to a serious collector, rather than having a safe queen.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

NOT if it's choked.

Probably won't be choked. I haven't seen any choke in a gun before 1870 in the States.

 

[TFoley]

I have a beautiful 240 year old double guild gun that was obviously used as an estate driven game gun, as it is in excellent condition. It has cloud Damascus barrels, so the only time I ever fired it was with a light load of 1f powder. Nicely engraved and carved, with platinum inlay. I should sell it to a serious collector, rather than having a safe queen.
View attachment 196160

Call me picky, but I prefer to see guns the right way up..

'Carl Grimm in Suhl'.

This percussion gun looks remarkably unconverted from flint. Why do you say it is 240 years old? You are putting a date of around 1783-ish on this lovely SxS.

Percussion guns did not appear until around the late 1830s.

 

[waksupi]

Call me picky, but I prefer to see guns the right way up..

View attachment 196236

'Carl Grimm in Suhl'.

This percussion gun looks remarkably unconverted from flint. Why do you say it is 240 years old? You are putting a date of around 1783-ish on this lovely SxS.

Percussion guns did not appear until around the late 1830s.

You're right, I had a brain fart. This was made mid 1840's.