Please help me identify this

[2wheelwander]

This double barrel has been offered to me for sale. I have zero idea what I'm looking at, it's worth, rarity, or if its complete junk. Owner has never shot it and thinks it was made in the late 1920's, knows nothing else. Looking at it I'd pay no more than $100 for it on a good day. Anything you guy can offer is appreciated. If I did buy it I'd fix the left barrel firing pin which is MIA, may put a new stock on it and enjoy it. I'm assuming a decent gunsmith could fabricate/source the MIA firing pin?

There is extensive engraving from end to end. The stock doesn't have any obvious cracks but is severely gouged and very rough. Judging from teh rest of the gun I suspect is not original to the gun. The forend however is checkered from end to end and though old and weathered, in great shape. It appears to have been refinished years ago but the wood is in great shape, I don't think I have any pics of this.

The top appears to say "CLIMAX", the rest is a bit fuzzy. Hoping it makes sense to someone here.

The fore end looks exactly like the one at the top of this page

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/51/1896/holland-holland-ltd-sxs-shotgun-12

 

[SHR970]

Left barrel is missing the firing pin, the rear stock is a not so good hand made replacement. Lock plate and left hammer screws are buggered up.

I wouldn't touch it; consider it a wall hanger at best.

If it's a real Climax it would be a Holland and Holland Climax model.

 

[2wheelwander]

Done some digging and it appears to be a Belgium made 12 gauge at least 100 years old

"E.C. Meacham Arms - Climax" and maybe the barrels are Damascus?

But I can't find anything meaningful on the gun as to rarity or worth.

 

[Dfariswheel]

In addition, the left hammer is a replacement.

By the early 1900's the double hammer gun was mostly dead, having been replaced by hammerless guns.

Best guess is that it's a pre-1900's gun probably made for black powder.
DO NOT shoot it unless a high end shotgun specialist gunsmith says it's safe.
That might take X-rays of the barrel to spot defects inside the barrel metal.

The marks on the side plates are too blurry to read, other then the word "Arms" being in English.
It looks like at one time it was a nicer grade gun with the light hand engraving, but it isn't now due to age and home gunsmithing.

Were it me, I'd pass unless you want a neat old wall hanger.
This would not be a candidate for shooting.

 

[Dfariswheel]

Apparently, E.C. Meacham Arms was a pre-1900 St Louis company that imported guns from Belgium and probably had some made by a supplier like Crescent Arms, who made store brand guns.

 

[2wheelwander]

Thanks for the input gents. I hadn't even considered it may be a black powder gun, and missed the hammers were mismatched. Yep, she's a wall hanger. I'll offer the guy $50 and hang it over the pool table.

It's art now.

 

[martin08]

I think you have received good advice. Keep it for a wall hanger.

But if you ever get really curious, the really good proof information will be found on the underside of the back of the barrels, and on the table of the receiver. The gun will need to be broken down to observe.