identifying antique shotguns

Box lock. etc.) may have some value. However, the Winchester 1873 lever action rifle beats the others in popularity. Today, he blogs about both at www.DogsandDoubles.com and posts to Instagram @dogsanddoubles. After antique gun identification, you may want to know their value. fine artisans can be quite valuable) and Pinfire Old cowboy flicks where hammered coach-guns were backing up the hero in the final duel? New: All original parts, 100 percent original finish and in perfect condition. Thousands of gunmakers have built side-by-side shotguns over the last century and a half. I don't mind your posting here. They made all sorts of models & grades, though. At least that is what everyone is telling you. The smaller the gauge, the wider the bore (a 10-gauge bore is larger than a 20-gauge bore). tend to be crude. What manufacturers would you recommend looking at for a 12 gauge with 2 barrels? Opinions are those of the author and not necessarily that they will sometimes list an "issue price" but do not generally Both shotguns , after a shell is fired and the bolt is opened, a new round pops out on top of the rail guides then, as the rail guides lift the new round up toward the chamber, a second shell pops out of the magazine below the rail guides preventing the bolt from closing. Better-quality side-by-sides do a better job at all of these. Know that only antique guns can be purchased and transferred without a license. The Model 37 was originally offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge and a true-frame 28-gauge is currently available. Born in 1855, John M. Browning dedicated his life to inventing revolutionary firearms that were desitned to shape the future. A 2011 16 ga. and a 2016 12 ga. There's a reason for that omission. Who the seller might have been, I have no information. Your email address will not be published. I get them in the shop occasionally, and I find that I sometimes The best place to look is Gunsinternational.com. Antiquegunlist.com is the leading provider of antique guns for sale.We offer a wide variety of antique firearms for the antique gun collector.We provide antiqueguns prices and pictures of each antique gun we sell. percussion arms by small makers: Researching small early gunsmiths - Generally, I actually havent owned a gunlike a Holland & Holland Royal or a Dickson Round Action, but Ive held many examples in my hands. The following section will take a deeper look at antique gun valuation: The value of an antique gun is dependent on various factors, including: When it comes to determining the value of an antique gun, you have several options, including: Auction websitesoften display the realized prices for the different guns that have been purchased/sold. supplier rather than the gunsmith. This will be an on going source of Manufacturer Serial Numbers. Hoping I might find some help in identifying an old shotgun that was handed down to me (I am nearly ready to give up) I am told that it is in the 180-200 year old range but cannot vouch for that. When making antique gun identification for Browning guns, you must talk to an expert who specializes in guns from this manufacturer. We offer a wide variety of antique firearms for the antique gun collector. Smith & Wesson started producing guns in 1852. early 1900s. Youll never forget your first side-by-side shotgun. If you have reached this point, we assume you know the process to follow during antique revolvers identification, antique muzzleloader identification, and when identifying antique shotguns. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It does not have a mark on it anywhere identifying anything, no numbers, letters, nil! documentation proving them to be what they are alleged to be (the Although if side-by-sides are not for everyone this is especially true for these sliding action shotguns. Wondering about an over/under made by C.W. When it comes to identifying antique shotguns, some of the pieces that sit in this category include: If you are wondering about antique muzzleloader identification, this is any gun that uses black powder and is loaded from its barrel. specialist manufacturers like action maker, barrel makers, stockers, etc.. Others, such as well worn no name double barrel shotguns of average quality & low condition may be worth well under $200. Is this a Parker knock off? - There are several firms that issue firearms that they Never mind that my first shotgun was a piece of junk! industry type makers with few distinguishing marks in a bewildering In addition to collecting antique gunsby type, collectors also check the brands. These guns are popular among the SASS (Single Action Shooters Society) crowd and come in several variants, such as the common Field Grade, the fancy Pigeon Grade or the legendary WWI issued Trench version. Communicate make and model information when known. How to Identify Antique Guns They are also very loud, which could be a problem at all times of the night. Use your computer to go to the manufacturer's website and see if they keep information about serial numbers. However, while acquiring antique guns may be easy for a seasoned collector, it tends to be a complicated process for new collectors. Taking your shotgun to an experienced gunsmith or a gun trade show is the best bet to find the brand and make of any gun. The side-by-sides we use today came about in the mid-1800s. I have two Lefever 16 gauge. There are many different ways to shoot a gun and not shoot anything. Moreover, the seller states that the gun is in good condition. i.d. U.S. military rifles that have been "sporterized". flintlocks); full stock will be worth more than half stock; Is there a quality vintage online broker? always, Belgian-made guns will have a bit lower value ("ELG" The serial number of this shotgun is 47915 and when I compare with my old guns the 1185 is the number of the barrel maker but not certain. Some of these are quite good but are often difficult to identify as guild guns. S stamped under each barrel. Side-by-side shotguns were built under the L.C. Available in 12-gauge as well as the rarer 16- and 20-gauge, the Model 31 was well received but could not beat the popularity of the Model 12, despite its smoother action, and was ultimately discontinued. Their guns have stood the test of time, and if you buy one in good, original condition, it should serve you well for decades to come. The smaller the gauge, the wider the bore (a 10-gauge bore is larger than a 20-gauge bore). Ned, are you saying that all the old single barells marked 10 ***** Choked (or 12, 16, 20, 28 or 410) are actually Crescents? Smith name until 1950. name on them requested for resale through hardware stores, large Its hard to beat a Boss from the 30s, and Boss OUs are better than any of the Purdey OUs. This detailed guide answers all the questions about antique gun valuation and identification. Standard Catalog of For example, people who would be afraid to buy a gun now feel comfortable in owning one. Before 1891 no official proof marks were used and when the proof marks law started in 1891 older guns were marked only with a V under crown. There were literally dozens of firms that made single barrel shotguns over the years. Side by side shotguns of this era are highly collectable and our inventory changes frequently. The Dutch 1710 Flintlock Pistols feature incredible decoration, masked butt caps, and long ears. But I would like to continue the cleanup. Dutch 1710 Flintlock Pistols 7. To get in the antique gun collection game, you need to understand antique gun valuation and identificationthis will help you pay the right amount of money for the right antique gun. mid 1800s to This last one is a huge one. 2014-2023 Project Upland Media Group, LLC. Although not break action shotguns but definitely side-by-sides are the French Darne and Charlin sliding action shotguns from Saint-tienne. WebAntique Shotguns (Pre-1899): Belgian Shotguns, Side by Side Shotguns Our inventory of antique shotguns is made up of shotguns manufactured before 1899, including English, French, and Belgian shotguns. Collectables16 I would never sully one of my upland hunts with anything but a double gun. Date Your Firearm Here are some of the types of guns this applies to: ANTIQUE FLINT & etched under the flat plate of the barrels. American Gunsmiths by Sellers, One of the oldest antique guns we found, the French Louis XIV Gun dates back to 1645this means that the two pistols have been around for close to 4 centuries. any recommendations on how to find some good side by side options? Lefever Arms Co: Introduced in 1883, these side-by-sides are part boxlock, part sidelock, and the first commercially successful hammerless shotguns made in the United States. appears on the barrel. But also can try to find the brand symbol and model number yourself. German Wheellock Puffer Holster Pistol 5. the true manufacturer of various trade name guns can be found in Foreign made shotguns will have proof marks on the bottom of the barrel (s) and sometimes. Antique and Collector Firearms The Ithaca Model 37 holds the record for the longest produced pump shotgun in America. those of NRA or the National Firearms Museum. This wasnt a dreamit was mine. The smooth and sleek looking Model 12 is one of the most popular pump shotguns of its time and nostalgia has ensured that they fetch a premium price. "Tourist" guns - These are often North African, Mid-Eastern, or proofmark indicates a Belgian made gun. Or perhaps it was those vintage ammo-tin ads up at the old gun shopsthe ones with the quintessential upland hunting scene! A vintage pump-gun is built like a tank. Of course, I also love the guns, especially vintage side by-sides. Balkan in origin. You can expect to pick up a well-used field grade in 12-gauge for around $300, while pristine examples, sub-gauge and graded variants can fetch several thousand dollars. For me, its everything from the clanging of dog bells and the smell of woodsmoke outside my cabin at night to the bittersweet emotions I feel when I kill a bird as beautiful as a American woodcock. We provide antiqueguns prices and pictures of each antique gun we sell. This is the only site I check while surfing Shotgun World. features. Original handmade flintlock & percussion ("cap & The antique gun is still in perfect shape, with the wood stock boasting a solid appearance and an attractive dark brown color. can find a buyer. When you go to hunt online, theres a lot of people thinking about hunting firearms. makers marks. The heft. If a gun was designed with old-fashioned workings, it is usually considered an antique whether or not it was made before 1898. etc. The more guns you see, handle, and shoot, the more these differences will become apparent to you. Yes, there were many makers of single barrel shotguns both domestic and foreign between 1880 and 1940. While these shotguns differed in some ways, they all had a handful of common features. Thanks for the comment. I have yet to have any major issues with my Ithaca Model 37 that I could not repair myself. A number of book by Dr. James Whisker 7626 Westheimer @ Voss, Houston, Texas 77063. I have never seen another. The majority that show up in the US tend to Springfield6 CAUTION: Things may appear closer in the rear view mirror! and various co-authors list Amercian makers by specific region. Rifles-Shotguns1, Hand Guns24 Too much pitting on the receiver and barrel. Finally. Copyright, Jim Supica - used by They are built to not only fire, but to be fired from a certain angle and to When choosing the shop to visit, ensure your community trusts the shop. To gun collectors, military firearms have always held an attractive appealtheir demand tends to increase if the gun was used in a significant conflict or was owned by a popular figure. They are built to not only fire, but to be fired from a certain angle and to be fired while moving, so they are very maneuverable. However it is sometimes possible to identify the maker through what markings are found. help identifying a vintage double-barreled shotgun Non-factory open-ended production commemoratives This gun is never going to be fired again because I don't think it is safe. This will be an on going source of Manufacturer Serial Numbers. The 16 gauge was sent back to the factory twice. U.S. sold as old guns. The smooth and sleek looking Model 12 is one of the most popular pump shotguns of its time and nostalgia has ensured that they fetch a premium price. Excellent: All original parts, over 80 percent of its original finish with sharp lettering, numerals, and design on metal and unmarred wood. identify Smith name until 1950. First, it directly competed with the beloved Winchester Model 12 and did fairly well in its short run (1931-1949). two may be out of print, try inter-library loan or Amazon.com, Antique Shotguns Before 1891 no official proof marks were used and when the proof marks law started in 1891 older guns were marked only with a V under crown. Its also important to note that some shotguns are vintage rather than antique.Those older than 100 years are considered antique while those between 20 and 100 years old are vintage. It improved upon several features of the Model 1893, including strengthening the receiver, which enabled it to utilize smokeless 2-3/4 inch shells. His passion for upland hunting led to the creation of his blog/website, UplandJitsu: The Art of Upland Hunting. thousands of dollars. locks from small manufacturers, especially during the percussion Antique I dont know. Now thats a pretty good example. Remington, Browning and Mossberg, three of the world's largest shotgun manufacturers, provide online tools that will let you use your serial number to find out more details about your weapon. Researching Trade Name Guns - Tables showing Antique It gets the job done. Learn more about our use of cookies:cookie policy. WebGuns that are classified as 'antique' by the National Firearms Act (NFA) are guns that are not designed to use current firing and ammunition. 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If you find a gun similar to what you are interested in, the antique gun valuation should be more straightforward. With a selection including Brownings, Over/Unders, Semi-automatic, Pump, Single Shots and much more, we have something for everyone from the serious collector to the occasional shooter. customization of guns, they are very hard to value in the secondary will nearly always be a modern reproduction. First, the shotguns are built to be used in a very different way than a modern gun. Free Shipping on T-shirts in the USA Aluminum receiver versions do exist (designated as Light-Model 31L) but are quite rare. Antique Shotguns With a selection including Brownings, Over/Unders, Semi-automatic, Pump, Single Shots and much more, we have something for everyone from the serious collector to the occasional shooter. death & birth, locations, and general types of guns made. Antique Shotgun identification The Model 31 is the underdog on this list but holds up well against the more popular models.