Muzzle loading percussion 12 gauge double barrel

4

4V50 Gary

Staff
Need help ID'ing this.

I started cleaning an unmarked 34" long muzzle loading 12 gauge percussion fired double barrel the other day. It has "London Twisted" on the top rib, one piece stock (meaning the foreend isn't separate), engraved german silver nose, two gold wedding bands on each barrel.

There really is nothing special about this neglected and beat up piece. Its provenance is about the only thing significant because it belonged to the fellow who built the trading post. From what I could find on the net, it is English made for export. Here's some images.

Three hours was spent on cleaning the left barrel. It's the upper one in this image in white metal of a hunting scene:
IMG_0186%20(640x273).jpg

When the barrels were removed from the stock, this is what was underneath. I didn't even suspect they were damascus steel as it was so black when I started.
IMG_0187%20(640x480).jpg

Here are some proof marks.
IMG_0190%20(640x558).jpg
 
You can see the hooks for the breech in this image. Here are some marks on near the breech (underside). IMG_0193%20(640x480).jpg

Will get more images when I go back to the museum.
 
I am afraid I can't tell you any more than you know already. It is English, and of moderately good quality, but nothing special.

Jim
 
Agree. The only thing special about it is it belonged to the builder of Francisco's Fort, Col. John Francisco. The "colonel" was an honorific title and I'm not sure how that came about. His horn, shot flask and hunting bag are in the collection and when I'm done working on the double barrel, it will be displayed along with a huge photograph of the man.


ETA: Found a video link to the place on U-Toob. Sorry I can't imbed. Just not smart enough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bil0XKjmPe0
 
I once was in a small local museum in which a prized exhibit was a rifle belonging to a pioneer who died in 1840. The man had a reputation for being very progressive and his ownership of an 1873 trapdoor Springfield certainly proved that correct.

Jim
 
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