Challenge Machine gun shotgun?

jacobs

March 07, 2010 13:44

I have a double barral side by side shotgun and would like any info on it if possible. It is stamped Challange Machine gun, patent june 20 18883. on the bottom of the barrel is stamped 35C95. Anyone have any info or what it might be worth?


Thanks

0

• 

  Ned Fall

  March 07, 2010 14:43

  Although I didn't have this name listed (I do now) in my collection of over 600 "Trade Brand Names" I was able to figure out who made it and who sold it. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one made by a major maker for and sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. I have listings for a Challenge and a Challenge Ejector that were made by the A.J. Aubery Arms Company and were made for and sold by Sears Roebuck & Co. So it would go that a Challenge Machine Gun would have been made by Aubery and sold by Sears.And the machine gun part of the name does not mean an automatic firing gun but the gun was made on machinery as opposed to being made by hand. Value? The value of these old shotguns depends on the condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. Values can range from about $175 for one that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon to less than $19 for a rusty rotten incomplete piece of junk fit only for a fire place poker. Most sell in the $59 to $100 range. A word of caution! These old guns were made in the early 20th century and were designed for the ammunition in use at the time which was either black powder or very early low pressure smokeless powder, they will have short chamber (2 9/16 inch) and maybe damascus barrels. The were not designed for more modern high pressure smokeless powder ammo, 3 inch or magnum shells or steel shot. My recommendation id that you don't attempt to shoot the gun. But if you insist have it checked out by a good gunsmith first and use appropriate ammunition.

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.