Interesting lock on original muzzle loader shotgun

jeffb1911

May 23, 2016 16:16

I'm helping out a co worker and widow get rid of a few things. The gun in question is a muzzle loading shotgun, appears about 12ga. Gun is in excellent shape considering the age. Octagon to a 16 sided barrel, then to round with what I think is called a "wedding band". The ramrod is still present as well. It is percussion, and the lock is marked "Southall's Improved Patent-Safety" behind the hammer. Behind those marks, there is a "lever" or push in bar at the very back of the lock. I cannot find any markings on the rest of the gun however. There is also a lot of tasteful engraving on the piece as well but not much on the barrel, just the breech plug.

Anyone have any ideas on who made it or where I can find the information?


Well, I put it on the auction side. The auction starts tomorrow at 2100. The auction number is 562400015

http://www.GunBroker.com/item/562400015

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  rufe-snow

  May 23, 2016 16:48

  Single barrel percussion shotguns, were made from the 1830's to the 1870's. By probably every village gunsmith. They were the basic utility gun, found on every farm.
  
  If you haven't taken the barrel off yet? See if their any markings on the underside. Many barrels were commercially made, and used by local gunsmiths in building their shotguns.

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  navc130

  May 23, 2016 17:33

  With the safety lever and wording and sixteen flat barrel, it is most likely a English made shotgun. There were MANY English gunsmiths, besides the famous ones, in business at that time period.

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  charliemeyer007

  May 23, 2016 17:39

  Pic's might help. Looking under the wood might provide more marks. If it was made by a famous outfit it would likely be marked. Value who knows, but quality never goes out of style.

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