Double 12 ga. Wilson's Welded Steel

[majortrouble]

Does anyone have info on double barrel shotgun 12 ga. with Wilson' Welded Steel on the top center rib. I am trying to find a forearm. Any help and info would be appreciated.

 

[James K]

I can't find any Wilson as a gun maker in what would appear to be the right time frame, so more info will be needed, like proof marks.

Welded steel is another name for Damascus, a way of making a barrel by wrapping iron and steel around a mandrel (rod) and welding the pieces together. In the old days, it was an acceptable and even liked way of making barrels, but it obviously is weaker than solid steel. I strongly recommend not shooting those guns.

If the foreend is broken or split you can probably find a stock maker to make one, though it won't be cheap. If it is missing, and more importantly if the metal is missing, you are probably out of luck. If you want it for display, you might find a foreend that will fit after a fashion and fix it on some way (double face tape?) just so it looks good.

You might want to read the site below:

http://www.briley.com/articles/grampas_shotgun.html

Jim