I'd appreciate any help on ID-ing this old muzzle loading side by side percussion cap shotgun willed to me by my father. Description follows, and I'll try to attach some photos if I can figure out how:
The barrels are twisted Damascus, approximately 33" long, and the muzzles are about 11/16" diameter. The barrels are octagonal from the breech to about 1/3 the distance to the muzzle, and then become round. On the top rib between the barrels is the inscription "Damas anglais" in what I would call an Old English or Gothic script, black in color and embossed or appliqued rather than inscribed. The stock is one piece, with a German Silver (?) engraved trim where the ramrod enters the forestock, an engraved German Silver trigger guard, and a German Silver (again, that's a guess) butt plate. Behind the trigger guard is a carved Ebony (?) finger rest or grip. The butt stock has a carved Boar's head facing aft on its lower edge, blending in to a carved leaf along the cheek rest's lower back edge on the left side of the stock. The ramrod is apparently a black-stained wood with a brass tamper on one end and a small brass auger on the other.
A number of very small markings are seen on the undersurface of the barrel breechs: On each breech "cap" is a small crown symbol above the letter "T", as well as a superficially engraved "l l l V". On the left barrel (as viewed from the undersurface - really the right barrel) is the number "17.0" above a curious symbol that looks like two mirror-image "curley cues" joined at their lower edges. further toward the muzzle is what appears to be the numeral "6" above a partial capital "K" or "R".
On the opposite barrel is an oval within which sits the letter "E" above "L G", in turn sitting above a star. There is NO crown on the oval. I'm given to believe this is a Belgian mark, but don't know for sure. Near the oval is a symbol that looks like a tiny straight trumpet. Muzzle-ward from that is a tiny letter, probably "R", and further on the letters "FC" beside a symbol that looks like an old style ampersand. On the bottom rib are the numerals "14 40" (perhaps a serial number?).
If this rings a bell with anyone, I would be most grateful for information regrading who made this gun, and approximately when it was made. I hope the pictures turn out!
Thanks very much!
The barrels are twisted Damascus, approximately 33" long, and the muzzles are about 11/16" diameter. The barrels are octagonal from the breech to about 1/3 the distance to the muzzle, and then become round. On the top rib between the barrels is the inscription "Damas anglais" in what I would call an Old English or Gothic script, black in color and embossed or appliqued rather than inscribed. The stock is one piece, with a German Silver (?) engraved trim where the ramrod enters the forestock, an engraved German Silver trigger guard, and a German Silver (again, that's a guess) butt plate. Behind the trigger guard is a carved Ebony (?) finger rest or grip. The butt stock has a carved Boar's head facing aft on its lower edge, blending in to a carved leaf along the cheek rest's lower back edge on the left side of the stock. The ramrod is apparently a black-stained wood with a brass tamper on one end and a small brass auger on the other.
A number of very small markings are seen on the undersurface of the barrel breechs: On each breech "cap" is a small crown symbol above the letter "T", as well as a superficially engraved "l l l V". On the left barrel (as viewed from the undersurface - really the right barrel) is the number "17.0" above a curious symbol that looks like two mirror-image "curley cues" joined at their lower edges. further toward the muzzle is what appears to be the numeral "6" above a partial capital "K" or "R".
On the opposite barrel is an oval within which sits the letter "E" above "L G", in turn sitting above a star. There is NO crown on the oval. I'm given to believe this is a Belgian mark, but don't know for sure. Near the oval is a symbol that looks like a tiny straight trumpet. Muzzle-ward from that is a tiny letter, probably "R", and further on the letters "FC" beside a symbol that looks like an old style ampersand. On the bottom rib are the numerals "14 40" (perhaps a serial number?).
If this rings a bell with anyone, I would be most grateful for information regrading who made this gun, and approximately when it was made. I hope the pictures turn out!
Thanks very much!
. (Check out the attached photo of the underside of the barrels.) But, thanks for your interest!