12 guage double - The Firearms Forum

leon miller · 10-11-2003, 12:38 PM

My father gave me this old gun when I was a kid 55 years ago and it was very old then. I used it way back when to bird hunt with.
It has exposed hammers, it is all metal except butstock.
The forearm swings to the side to un-brich. Has a metal butplate.
Has W.RICRARDS on each side plates near the hammers.
I have only seen one other like it many years ago and it appeared to have brass soft plugs along about the middle of each barrel. Anyone able to tell me more about my old gun?
Thanks Leon

leon miller · 10-11-2003, 02:33 PM

Might need to add that my dad traded a old mule for this old gun so it should be worth at least a old mule or its bones.

gamachinist · 10-11-2003, 02:59 PM

Hi Leon,
Here is a great place to go to ask about sxs guns:
http://www.gunshop.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

It's one of my daily stops on the 'net.
Robert.

SXSMAN · 11-11-2003, 09:21 PM

Please look at the writing again. It may be a Wesley Richards made in England. Need more info.

But at least it's a SxS

CountryGunsmith · 11-11-2003, 09:46 PM

Very doubtful. Open the action and look for the Belgian proofmark. It will appear as an E over an LG enclosed in an oval.

This is one of the more often-seen Belgian side-by-sides from the late 1800's. There were many imported into the US for sale by mail-order houses under various brand names designed to fool unsophisticated buyers. Brand names such as W Richards, Barker, and Sam Holt were probably the most flagrant.

Xracer · 11-12-2003, 06:59 AM

Hi Leon......and welcome to TFF.

I agree with Country Gunsmith. This is most likely an inexpensive Belgian-made shotgun sold by a mail-order house or local hardware store.

Be aware that this gun was most likely designed for blackpowder and is not safe with modern shotgun shells.....best to use it as a wallhanger or family heirloom.

Marlin · 11-12-2003, 08:15 AM

Hi Leon.

A very hearty greeting as we are glad to see you here at TFF. We all hope you will join us often and post often. We have a very congenial group which possesses superb firearm and weapon knowledge.

I agree with Xracer that this gun could be dangerous with today's shells. I, myself, covet a good SxS, but would only want a modern one that could be used frequently for birds and/or clays. Hang it on the wall and fondly remember its origins to you each time you glance at it!

10-11-2003, 12:38 PM	#1
leon miller Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4	12 guage double My father gave me this old gun when I was a kid 55 years ago and it was very old then. I used it way back when to bird hunt with. It has exposed hammers, it is all metal except butstock. The forearm swings to the side to un-brich. Has a metal butplate. Has W.RICRARDS on each side plates near the hammers. I have only seen one other like it many years ago and it appeared to have brass soft plugs along about the middle of each barrel. Anyone able to tell me more about my old gun? Thanks Leon -->

10-11-2003, 02:33 PM	#2
leon miller Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4	shot gun Might need to add that my dad traded a old mule for this old gun so it should be worth at least a old mule or its bones.

11-11-2003, 09:21 PM	#4
SXSMAN Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	Please look at the writing again. It may be a Wesley Richards made in England. Need more info. But at least it's a SxS __________________ Have guns will travel

11-11-2003, 09:46 PM	#5
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	Very doubtful. Open the action and look for the Belgian proofmark. It will appear as an E over an LG enclosed in an oval. This is one of the more often-seen Belgian side-by-sides from the late 1800's. There were many imported into the US for sale by mail-order houses under various brand names designed to fool unsophisticated buyers. Brand names such as W Richards, Barker, and Sam Holt were probably the most flagrant. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

11-12-2003, 08:15 AM	#7
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Hi Leon. A very hearty greeting as we are glad to see you here at TFF. We all hope you will join us often and post often. We have a very congenial group which possesses superb firearm and weapon knowledge. I agree with Xracer that this gun could be dangerous with today's shells. I, myself, covet a good SxS, but would only want a modern one that could be used frequently for birds and/or clays. Hang it on the wall and fondly remember its origins to you each time you glance at it! __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

10-11-2003, 02:59 PM	#3
gamachinist V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Locust Grove GA Posts: 213	Hi Leon, Here is a great place to go to ask about sxs guns: http://www.gunshop.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi It's one of my daily stops on the 'net. Robert.

11-12-2003, 06:59 AM	#6
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Hi Leon......and welcome to TFF. I agree with Country Gunsmith. This is most likely an inexpensive Belgian-made shotgun sold by a mail-order house or local hardware store. Be aware that this gun was most likely designed for blackpowder and is not safe with modern shotgun shells.....best to use it as a wallhanger or family heirloom.