Breastman Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Hello folks, A friend of mine has found an old shotgun in the loft of a deceased relative. They seem to think its from 1813. I’ve not had a chance to look at it yet but aside from visually inspecting the bores and breech face what should I be looking for? If I decide to take the gun will it need to be re-proofed or could a competent gunsmith confirm whether it should function safely? I don’t fancy just sticking cartridges in it to ‘try it out’! Any help would be appreciated Mark P.S. I am fully aware of the legal issues here, my questions relate solely to the mechanics of using the gun safely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plinker Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 if it is from 1813 it will be a muzzle loader. whatever it is you need to take it to an rfd he can then explain whats what regarding legal and saftey issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 get it taken to a competent gunsmith who will be the best to advise. I'd let the owners take it as obviously its an unlicensed firearm so take the usual precautions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'd get it signed to you and then take it to a competent gunsmith. The authorities are usually ok in these circumstances, a friend of mine had the same thing last year. No problems at all getting them on his ticket. Is there any indication of a makers name anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Thanks for the replies. If the date is correct and it turns out to be a muzzle loader i'll not be interested, i've got enough gun **** lying around the house without adding muzzle loding gear to it! I'm going to see it next Monday so should have a better idea then Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 If it is that old as long as you are not going to shoot it it's classed as an antique and does not need to be put on ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 If it is that old as long as you are not going to shoot it it's classed as an antique and does not need to be put on ticket. Good point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 take good pictures and stick them on here. At best someone here will tell you what it is. At the least we'll get some interesting pictures! Get good pictures of any proof marks if there are any. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomstick Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 take good pictures and stick them on here. At best someone here will tell you what it is. At the least we'll get some interesting pictures! Get good pictures of any proof marks if there are any. Thanks, Rick DEFINITELY want to see pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Thanks for the replies. If the date is correct and it turns out to be a muzzle loader i'll not be interested, i've got enough gun **** lying around the house without adding muzzle loding gear to it! I'm going to see it next Monday so should have a better idea then Mark Mark, If it is a muzzel loader let me know and I will check into the legalities of having it brought over. It may be as simple as having to use Purolator or Fed Ex. I Love smoke poles! NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter-peter Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) if its 1813 you dont need it on your ticket. but if you can see the breech face its after that date. Edited March 3, 2009 by peter-peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto culto Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 it might well be worth a few quid now so dont turn it down untill you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Hey Breast dude.. New to the flock is correct There is some nostalgia when using a smoke pole.. Especially if its a 12 gauge or better.. Sure it takes longer to load but its a real blast to shoot If it is turn of the century you may not be able to shoot it as the barrels my be Dimascuss Check it out first, and if it is a front stuffer? Keep it as it would be cool to hang over the fire place OR i will come and get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Interesting to see that the colonials still have their irrational fear of damascus barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Interesting to see that the colonials still have their irrational fear of damascus barrels. Why yes.. Things that explode in our hands tend to make us nervous.. cant shoot too bloody well with half your head missing now can you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Winding you up mate, could`nt resist it! Many Americans I`ve spoken to are aghast at the fact that we still happily use good condition damascus barreled guns in the UK, either with black powder, or where appropriately proofed, with nitro based powders. I`m told it goes back to the days when thousands of cheap quality damascus guns were sold to the US by the Birmingham gun trade. Their poor quality coupled with the habit of using over powerful ammunition meant that many of them did indeed explode! 19th century comparative trials conducted in the UK actually showed that,if a catastrophic failure of the barrel occurred, a damascus barrel was far less likely to injure the user since the damascus tended to "uncurl" rather than burst like a steel barrel. If the gun in question is indeed dated to 1813 then it will be a flintlock. Regards, Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Hehehehe! The other weekend I watched Wabbitbosher shoot skeet with a beautiful damascus barreled hammergun. They work and are a joy to see _still_ working. I'd say keep it, or get it to someone that will look after it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Winding you up mate, could`nt resist it! Many Americans I`ve spoken to are aghast at the fact that we still happily use good condition damascus barreled guns in the UK, either with black powder, or where appropriately proofed, with nitro based powders. I`m told it goes back to the days when thousands of cheap quality damascus guns were sold to the US by the Birmingham gun trade. Their poor quality coupled with the habit of using over powerful ammunition meant that many of them did indeed explode! 19th century comparative trials conducted in the UK actually showed that,if a catastrophic failure of the barrel occurred, a damascus barrel was far less likely to injure the user since the damascus tended to "uncurl" rather than burst like a steel barrel. If the gun in question is indeed dated to 1813 then it will be a flintlock. Regards, Nick. That is true, and again, even an uncurling of a barrel may force me to **** my drawers.. Its best that things dont go boom on the shooters end As far as flinters go, and front stuffers Thats my niche I have many and love everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Ok so finally had a look and its not something i fancy. It had quite a bit of rust on and the ramming pole is missing, but if its your bag here's so pic's; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Its a fowling gun from the mid 1800's. Shame you are so far away, I'd have given that a good home ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 There are more pictures but for some reason i can't get them to upload. If you're interested and want more pictures, PM me your email address and i'll send you the full sized fellas Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 YHPM. ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEFTY478 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 YHPM. ZB Can you post them, Zapp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Can you post them, Zapp? Sorry guys, I never thought of that. I'll stop bogarting the piccies and post them up when I get home. Failing that, I might be in a position to take some piccies of it myself soon.... ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Why did I just know that was going to happen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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