Was gifted an original smoothbore

[GreyGus]

The good news, it was free. The bad news, it came in parts.
It came to me just as shown. I think most parts are there, minus some screws.
The stock has several cracks, and one barrel has a hole drilled in it, someone probably intended to make a lamp.

This thing is huge. I have not weighed it, but I bet it pushes 20 pounds. Must be at least a 10 gauge, the dowel rod in the muzzle is 3/4 inch, doesn’t begin to fill the bore.

I pictured the only markings I could find. I can’t make out the name on the top rib,
The last three letters of the name appear to be ood, Boston.

I plan to repair the stock as best I can, and stain it to match the forearm. Clean and install the locks, polish the furniture and reassemble, then I will know what I am missing.

Any thoughts on what this is would be appreciated.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Would love to see that gun brought back to life

 

[Grenadier1758]

Rub some chalk into the markings to bring out the details of the stamping. That hole near the breech of the one barrel will be a problem. The barrels should be debreeched and cut off to eliminate the hole and rebreeched. The under rib then would be shortened to match to the stock. I don't see the triggers or the trigger plate. Are these parts that or missing too?

 

[Kansas Jake]

I have an old Clabrough 10 gauge with what appear to be platinum or other light colored metal plugs in a similar area of the barrel. I suspect they were “blow out” plugs to prevent the barrel from rupturing and for decoration. If you want to shoot it, tap and install a plug would be my suggestion. Be sure to proof it and stick with light loads.

 

[Grenadier1758]

If it were a shotgun with the blow out plug, there would be plugs on both barrels. I am not able to see if the hole is threaded for a plug. Yes, a plug would be easier than cutting out the barrel section with the hole and reinstalling the breech plugs. I just think that cutting the barrels back to eliminate the hole is a safer and more secure option than plugging the hole where the barrel is relatively thin.

 

[GreyGus]

Rub some chalk into the markings to bring out the details of the stamping. That hole near the breech of the one barrel will be a problem. The barrels should be debreeched and cut off to eliminate the hole and rebreeched. The under rib then would be shortened to match to the stock. I don't see the triggers or the trigger plate. Are these parts that or missing too?

The triggers and trigger plate are there, I just didn’t show them clearly.
Did a few specs on this gun.
Weight: 13.5 lbs.
Barrel length: 33 inches
Inside bore diameter: left barrel .873 inches, right barrel .865 inches

 

[GreyGus]

Was able to find the maker and a little history.
The markings on the rib read Hapgood - Boston. Also both lock plates are marked Hapgood. Joal Hapgood ran a gun business in Boston Mass. from 1847 to 1864.

 

[BillinOregon]

That's a heavy 8-gauge. I wonder if it was built with market hunting in mind. Glad you were able to place the maker!

 

[GreyGus]

That's a heavy 8-gauge. I wonder if it was built with market hunting in mind. Glad you were able to place the maker!

Waterfowl market hunting would be my guess.
This thing certainly isn’t an upland game gun

 

[bpd303]

has a hole drilled in it,

To me that hole looks like it goes into the threaded area of the breech, if so I would plug it. From the pictures it looks fully restore-able.