To cut Damascus Percussion Shotgun, or not to cut ?

[nhmoose]

Another don't cut it advisment

 

[NorthFork]

No cut.

 

[Eric Bye]

This is a handsome shotgun and it appears to be in good condition. If it were mine I certainly would not shorten the barrels. Respect the integrity of this nice antique, which has so far escaped the butcher's hacksaw!

 

[toot]

it came at 36,inches for a reason. keep it that way. do not destroy it! it is a beautiful piece. get an ITALIAN REPRODUCTION, in coach gun dementions. keep as is and shoot it and enjoy it. it will bring you many years of enjoyment!.

 

[toot]

as stated DON'T CUT IT! why destroy a great original shot gun?? there are plenty of repos out there to choose from.

 

[Sam squanch]

It will lose all collector value if cut down. And if you want to sell it, you won’t get as much for it.

 

[Erwan]

I suppose that this is a new fashion. Everybody and is brother will cut any shotgun. It is the same way in France by the young shooters for all type of shotgun and goods or bad makes no difference : the important one is to cut the barrels...

 

[OhioHawkeye]

Leave it in once piece and have it professionally repaired AND restored. You won't regret it. If you cut it, you will regret it.

Epoxy? scheesh. not even going to touch that. I bet if you had appendicitis you'd do your own surgery too. LOL
And, if you can't have it repaired due to cost, do like Sam squanch says above. Sell it and buy something you are happy with.

 

[Gordoncourtney]

That looks a $1500 gun. 1840 ????? It’s your gun do what you like , but it will be worthless If you chop the barrels. Look on Holts auction Norfolk uk. Get a feel for it compare it with guns in next months auction It looks a top grade English gun., don’t think it’s Belgium for one minute

I would put it at £600 to £1400 depending on the maker. I wish you well

 

[Gordoncourtney]

I suppose that this is a new fashion. Everybody and is brother will cut any shotgun. It is the same way in France by the young shooters for all type of shotgun and goods or bad makes no difference : the important one is to cut the barrels..

Where does France come in, I take my Motorhome across the channel. The gun shop in Calais sells BP guns over the counter no licence. But I need a “permits to carry “ if I take one in my Motorhome. Any ideas bit-confusing

 

[excess650]

It has the ELG Belgian (Liege proof house)proof on the bottom of one of the barrels, but a vary nice percussion shotgun.

 

[Erwan]

Where does France come in, I take my Motorhome across the channel. The gun shop in Calais sells BP guns over the counter no licence. But I need a “permits to carry “ if I take one in my Motorhome. Any ideas bit-confusing

You mean :"Where is going the France" I suppose ?...
Yep, l'Armurerie de Calais (this where the boss is Jean-Pierre Fusil ?) can sale all the BP guns he wants when he wants and only at an adult person. There is no problem and it is legal...... but he only can sale 2Kg (four pounds) of BP and can't sale any substitute to replace BP because this is illegal...

To go somewhere with a car and with arms on board you need a "real good reason", the general reason is to go to the range or near a gunsmith : all the other reasons aren't allowed, and you can't carry that with your motor home without authorization...

Welcome to the wonder world of Macrony .....

 

[BuffaloSoldier]

I recently acquired a 36" 12 ga double barrel percussion shotgun, in good working condition, albeit had a cracked forend on the one piece stock, which I repaired with epoxy.
The shotgun is unmarked , except for a couple of small proofs and the word "Laminate Steel" on gold colored inlay on the rib.
I assume its likely just another "Belgian clunker" , and this morning I have dug out a new sawzall blade and taped the barrels off to 24", full intending to cut it off
and shoot it with "buck and ball" and buckshot......

However , I have decided to give it more thought and ask opinions on this forum before I do anything to it.
Here are the pictures of the barrels.
Advise and opinions are welcome
Thanks !

If this truly Damascus barrels, take it to appraiser before you do any modifications. PLEASE!!

 

[Feltwad]

That looks a $1500 gun. 1840 ????? It’s your gun do what you like , but it will be worthless If you chop the barrels. Look on Holts auction Norfolk uk. Get a feel for it compare it with guns in next months auction It looks a top grade English gun., don’t think it’s Belgium for one minute

I would put it at £600 to £1400 depending on the maker. I wish you well

Yes it is his gun but what gives him the right to butcher its history to suit a whim of a short barrel gun. This is a antique which has seen many years of service we are only the custodians and its history should be preserved for future generations.
Feltwad

 

[Billy Boy]

I recently acquired a 36" 12 ga double barrel percussion shotgun, in good working condition, albeit had a cracked forend on the one piece stock, which I repaired with epoxy.
The shotgun is unmarked , except for a couple of small proofs and the word "Laminate Steel" on gold colored inlay on the rib.
I assume its likely just another "Belgian clunker" , and this morning I have dug out a new sawzall blade and taped the barrels off to 24", full intending to cut it off
and shoot it with "buck and ball" and buckshot......

However , I have decided to give it more thought and ask opinions on this forum before I do anything to it.
Here are the pictures of the barrels.
Advise and opinions are welcome
Thanks !

I wouldnt whack them. Looks like British proofs? Take a small sharp chisel and make a scrape between barrel and under rib in the area covered by the forearm. If it shows yellow it is probably Belgian, if it shows white (silver) it is probably British. Belgian guns were braised, British were soldered.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I had a neighbor who cut down an old damacus shotgun in the 50's and he regreted it the rest of his life!If you don't want it as is sell it!

 

[Collector54]

Donot cut it. While it has Belgian proofs it is a high grade piece and is well worth more in uncut condition. Sell it here and buy a new one to butcher. Just my opinion but you asked.

 

[user 48679]

Looks like British proofs?

Take a small sharp chisel and make a scrape between barrel and under rib in the area covered by the forearm.

If it shows yellow it is probably Belgian, if it shows white (silver) it is probably British.
Belgian guns were braised, British were soldered.

As noted, the barrels have both the Liege (Belgium} provisional proofs for unfinished barrels, and the ELG cartouche, which is also Belgian.

 

[smoothshooter]

I recently acquired a 36" 12 ga double barrel percussion shotgun, in good working condition, albeit had a cracked forend on the one piece stock, which I repaired with epoxy.
The shotgun is unmarked , except for a couple of small proofs and the word "Laminate Steel" on gold colored inlay on the rib.
I assume its likely just another "Belgian clunker" , and this morning I have dug out a new sawzall blade and taped the barrels off to 24", full intending to cut it off
and shoot it with "buck and ball" and buckshot......

However , I have decided to give it more thought and ask opinions on this forum before I do anything to it.
Here are the pictures of the barrels.
Advise and opinions are welcome
Thanks !

Do not cut it.
Take it somewhere that does fluorescent particle testing to check for hidden cracks in the barrels

 

[smoothshooter]

This gun is not a beater