Another gun show find!

[targa911S]

$50.00!!!! Based on the proof marks I believe it's an English 12 ga shotgun. Probably made in the late 1800's. $50.00!! I'm dyin' here!
It should clean up nicely. I'll post when I'm done doin' my magic.

[Racerbvd]

$50 with that kind of detail

Sweet, hope it doesn't burn your hands

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Pretty piece!

[targa911S]

Thanks! The guy thought it was German and said " It's a wall hanger you can have it for $50.00" all I heard was $50.00. I saw that damascus type of crolle' and reached into the pocket. I don't turn down ANY double shotgun for $50.00.

[craigster59]

That's a score! Is the action tight? Vintagers would snap that up quick. Haven't heard of Saxton, but there might be something in the old "Doublegun Journals". How are the bores?

[Jim Bremner]

there's several bore's on here!....ooops


just make sure that the barrel will handle modern ammo!

[targa911S]

Yes tight action. Although the bores are PERFECT I won't be shooting it any time soon. This what we know so far from the the DGJ forum.
"Birmingham post 1887 with the rhombus with a "12" over "C" and upto 1896. Probably closer to 1887 with the large strikers."

Black powder proofed only. No nitro stuff although you could prolly shoot low pressure, say 7,000 PSI stuff with Birmingham proofing. So it really is a wall hanger but it will look nice in the collection. Truly a find.

[Rick Lee]

That would have gotten you a $100 gift card at the last Phoenix gun buyback. I'll give you $100 for it.

[Tim Hancock]

What is the game plan? You gonna re-finish it to look new, or just clean and polish a bit? I quess it will depend on how rare/valuable it is. Nice find!!!

[targa911S]

Thanks Tim, sometimes ya just get lucky. This one that I think needs to stay original. I took it all apart and cleaned it up good with oil and 0000 wool to get the rust off the locks and hammers. The wood, I just cleaned with orange oil and it bounced right back. I did refinish/rust, the barrels in traditional black and white to bring that pretty damascus pattern out. It looks great without destroying the original look of it. All it really needed was some TLC and a barrel rusting.

[id10t]

Sweet. Thought I had a deal at last weekends show... sold my AK and a cheap 357 revolver, bought a nice Fausti O/U in 20 ga w/ removable chokes, and came home with $275 in my pocket...

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by targa911S

This one that I think needs to stay original.

+1, love the patina. Great score!

[SXSMAN]

Most decent " wall-hangers " around here start at around $300 .

Nice find .

Very nice .

SxS

[targa911S]

Thanks. It'll look good with my W W Greener. The only two Brit guns I own.

[tabs]

Many British and Belgium mass manufactured SXS were imported into the USA in the 19th century as a low cost double gun. Once in the States they had a propriety name applied and sold as such. The trick with these guns is to find one with a American West connection such as Carlos Gove of Denver retailer stamped on it. Then you would truly have something.

Also during this time period many manufacturers of lower cost doubles bought barrel sets from the Brits and Bellgies...which were then made into shotguns under their own names. I have a Percussion SXS shotgun made by James Bown aka Enterprise Gun Works of Pittsburg that has 35 inch barrels, where the barrels say "Superior English Twist" on them.

BTW Targa did ya ever get those LC SMITH SxS's....can ya at least tell us what they were so I can droooool. I would sorley like to come up with a 20 GA in one of the higher grades. Maybe a 410? I had recently bought a Parker Repro DHE 2 barrel set in 28 GA for substantially under 5. I also have a Elsie Trap Grade 12 GA with 3" chambers,"LONG RANGE" wt 30" barrels & SST made about 1925 wt factory letter. This is a very rare combination.

At $50 how can you go wrong?

[Seahawk]

Nice, Dave.

On your travels if you come across a field grade double barrel call me on my cell (I'll PM).

BTW, the little .25 you showed us how to clean up is working great

All the best.

[targa911S]

Paul...what ga.?

[tabs]

Also Seahawk...will ya settle for Damcus Barrels? Or do ya want fluid steel.

Best advice is to buy the best name you can afford. Parker, Elsie, Fox, Lefever, Ithica, Winchester....not only will you have a shooter but an appreciating asset.

[RWebb]

dayum!

w that pattern the chance it is a repro is nil

[targa911S]

tabs . we missed out on the elsies some big $$ guy came in and scooped em up pronto! I'm sure Paul is looking for a shooter. he has been to my house!