William Briggs underhammer smoothbore

[Dusty_Traveler]

A William Briggs underhammer smoothbore came home with me. The mark has been softened, but reads:

William Briggs Norristown, PA
Patented Aug 13, 1859 #27 (of 50)

The bore is .675" in diameter.
The weight is 8.5 lbs.
The stock is all iron.
The barrel is 41".
LOP is 14.5".
2" of drop at the heel.

The nipple threads measure .235-28. I found this odd. Might have to make one.

The hammer/mainspring/action is strong, and functions perfectly. It has only 3 parts.

It has a 'patina' for sure . It appears it might have been painted black at some time? Who knows. It's going to remain as you see it now.

 

[BillinOregon]

Wow! I have never seen anything like it. What a great find! Is the stock cast solid, or is it welded/soldered sheet metal? Is the bore in shootable condition?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Wow! I have never seen anything like it. What a great find! Is the stock cast solid, or is it welded/soldered sheet metal? Is the bore in shootable condition?

I do believe it is a solid casting. Note the rough, cast material in the bottom of the patchbox. It is the inside of the left hand side of the stock.

Near the butt on the left hand side you can see a repaired crack that seems to have been done with some type of solder.

The bore has some notable pitting. It starts midway and there are a few spots between there and the breech end. I will further inspect it, with a borescope, after a good scotch briting, to see if I want to shoot it or not. I must get the odd-sized nipple sorted, too.

 

[OLUT]

Apparently the August 2015 "Man at Arms" issue has a writeup on serial Number 33 of this type of Briggs under hammer firearm if you need more info

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Apparently the August 2015 "Man at Arms" issue has a writeup on serial Number 33 of this type of Briggs under hammer firearm if you need more info

I'd like to read that article. Do you have a link?

 

[Sam squanch]

I think these were originally painted black as a rust preventing measure. I saw one, it had what looked like leftover black paint on it. Good, simple firing mechanism.

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

Underhammers sempre surpreende!

 

[BillinOregon]

Dusty, if the bore is shot, Bobby Hoyt can reline it reasonably and you will have a safe and wonderful historic shooter. I can just see the jaws dropping when you show up on the skeet range!

 

[tom in nc]

I realize this thread is almost a year old, but I love the gun. I especially like the patchbox.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

That is Number 27. Gene Moss in Oklahoma owns it as of 10 Nov.

I have Number 11 now. It has a 36” barrel with a .710 bore. same patchbox. It’s in much better condition than #27 is.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Pictures please, Dusty.
Never seen one before and am especially interested in the action.