Ward & Sons, Birmingham (1859-1960) 12 ga hammer ejector with 30 inch fluid steel barrels choked modified and cylinder. Birmingham proofs indicate it was made between 1887 and 1896 and the ejectors are those of J. & R. Bullocks’ pat. #7470 of 1887. This gun is in good original condition. Despite its age it appears to have been shot very little and has never had anything done to it – it is 100% original and retains about 75% original case colors and 95% varnish on the well figured straight hand stock. The action has 90% coverage good quality engraving that is sharp and crisp and sharp as new. The barrels are rather splotchy. There are no dents in the wood or barrels and no rust on the action or barrels. The original butt hard rubber butt plat is in new condition and checkering is every good showing no ware whatever. If you wild like to shoot gun like no one else has are an ejector mechanism nut this is your gun. __ $1500 (pics)
Belgian Guild Gun 20 ga Back Action Hammer Damascus Shooter. Marked “Freemont Arms Co.”, probably imported by F&D Folsom, NY, NY. This is a good solid gun with 28” Belgian reinforced proof barrels. This was the standard proof at the time for nitro smokeless shells developing a chamber pressure of about 9,000 psi. I have been shooting standard 20 ga 7/8 oz field loads and do not recommend heavier loads. The bores are good, locks crisp and stock sound. The stock measures 14” LOP to center of the steel butt plate; D@C = 1.5” and D@H = 2”. It has been cleaned and checkering recut. The action is in the white with no rust or pitting and with .003” shim locks up tight and top lever is left of center. Barrels are bored cylinder both right and left and exhibit an even patina with twist pattern.__ $350 (pics)
American
L. C. Smith “E” Grade Type I Hammer gun. Marked “L. C. Smith Maker- Syracuse, NY–Damascus Steel” on the rib. (SN 11471; mfg. 1885) This is one of ca. 5,000 guns made by Lyman Cornelius Smith in Syracuse, NY between 1884 and 1888 when the company was sold to Hunter Brothers. It is the first model gun incorporating the famed rotary bolt designed by Alexander Brown. It also has beautifully designed and made bar action locks-unlike the later hammer guns. These guns are the equal in design and workmanship to any gun made in England at the time. This is a collector quality gun and good solid shooter besides. It is a ten gauge with 32” barrels bored full and full. The barrels are free of dents, the bores are excellent and the Damascus pattern is very good. The action is lightly engraved, tight on face as new and the locks are crisp. No rust or pitting on action or barrels. Walnut stock is very good with excellent sharp checkering on the wrist but somewhat worn on the forend. Length of pull is 14” over a recoil pad. Type I hammer Smiths in this good of condition are almost impossible to find and this one is an “E” grade. ___ $1350. (pics)
L.C. Smith “F” Grade Type II Hammer gun. (SN 149630; mfg. 1906) Twelve gage with 32” Damascus barrels bored full and full. This is just a good clean old gun – yet one of the best I have ever seen. A good solid shooter and good collector quality gun. Barrels are bright inside but have some minor roughness. Action is tight on face and locks are crisp. No rust or pitting on action or barrels. All have light to heavy patina. Damascus pattern clear but not prominent. Dense figured walnut stock is very good and checkering not worn. Original hare rubber butt plate. Hammer Smiths in this good of condition are very hard to come by. ___ $895. (pics)
Parker Grade 1 Lifter Action 12 ga Hammer gun, SN22911 made in 1881 with 30" Twist barrels bored full and full. Number 2 frame - weight ca. 7 lbs 8 oz. A very attractive gun that has been carefully cleaned Vivid case colors in hidden locations only. Good mechanical order - slightly off face with crisp locks. The pistolgrip stock has been repaired, rechecked, and nicely refinished (lop 14 1/4"; d@h 3"). Original steel butt plate. The action is bright and clean without rust , pits or corrsion. Barrels have very good Twist pattern, no dents but rough bores - though quite shootable. These are heavy barrels and would clean up fine. ___ $900 (pics)
Parker Grade 0 Top Lever 12 ga Hammer gun, SN46491 with 28" Twist barrels bored modified both. Number 1 frame - weight 6 lbs 14 oz. Good coundition with traces of original case colors. Good solid wood with most original varnish and some minor scratches and a small gouge on right side - dog's head butt plate. Good barrel pattern. Locks up tight and has slightly rough bores but no dents. I have been shooting 1 oz 8000 psi loads in it. PGCA research extracted from Parker factory records provide proof that its current configuration is factory original. "The gun in the stock book was completed 11/1885 and was a gtade 0 twelve bore with 30" barrels. The order calls for a 28" gun with cyl chokes. It was shipped 3 days after the order came on March 18, 1886, so I suspect they cut the barrels back to 28". The order book also calls for a 13 1/4" lop. So they cut the stock back as well".___ $850 (pics)
Remington Lifter Action Model 1876 Grade 1. Serial No. 5046.: Marked on the top rib “E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y.” Since it was made in 1877 or 8 it is an antique and requires no FFL for transfer. This is actually a transition gun form model 1876 to 1878. The serial number is in the M ’76 range with all that model’s standard characteristics (lifter action, pinned forend, Hepburn’s 1875 patent locks, flat hammer faces, and non-sliding top plate on the action between the balls). However, like on the Model 1878 there are no vestigial flash shields. It is a 12 gauge with 30” full choke bored barrels. The gun is mechanically excellent and cosmetically an even patina with no rust. Bores are bright with a little roughness. The stock has the original steel butt plate, has been cleaned, and a professional repair made to the head. Checkering is worn but clear. This is a difficult model to find and would make a fine addition to your collection of early American Shotguns and it is ready to shoot. ___ $900 (pics)
Remington Lifter Action Model 1878 Grade 1. Serial No. 1208.: Marked on the top rib “E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y.” In case you are unfamiliar with Remington lifter action shotguns, to open the gun one pushes up on the top lever rather than sideways. Since it was made in 1878 it is an antique and requires no FFL for transfer. The Model 1878 has Hepburn’s 1875 patent locks, a rib extension, flat hammer faces, Anson & Deely forend release, and no vestigial flash shields (fences). It is a 12 gauge with 21” fluid steel barrels and appears to be an original period coach gun. The gun is mechanically very good and cosmetically displays an even patina with no rust or barrel dents. Bores are bright with a little roughness. The Straight English style stock has the original steel butt plate, worn but clear checkering, and a circle cut where a coin or medallion of some kind was inlayed. This true piece of early Americana is difficult to find and would make a fine addition to your collection of early American Shotguns. Furthermore, this true piece of nearly Americana is ready to shoot. ___ $400 (pics)
