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John Buckingham double barrel shotgun - Value?

Trinity3
I have a double barrel shotgun. It says "John Buckingham". It has a double trigger and wood enlay on the butt. Does anyone have any information about this gun? The years they were made? Estimate of values?
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7 comments

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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    I show nothing with the Name of "John Buckingham" in My database. I even made a search thru Boothroyds English Makers and find no such name....So I'm wondering if this is an American Made Gun or a European Made Gun....Do Me a Favor and Pull the Barrels and Look under the Rear of the Barrels on what We call the the Water Table....Is there any Proof Marks? If so, please Post them on the Forums to be deciphered....I/We will get back to You as soon as possible....What I'm actually looking for is an Oval with the letters E over LG in the center....Every letter, number and Mark is important....so be specific and precise in your discription...as We can only see what You see....and then only thru your eyes...A Photo would be nice........Welcome to the Ask the Experts Forum and the Gunbroker.com family.........Best........

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff<P><BR>
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  • He Dog
    My references show John Buckingham as an English maker or seller prior to WWII, but indicates no other history is known.
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  • Trinity3
    It is a double barrel, double trigger 12 gauge flintlock shotgun. It is 45 inches in length. The barrel is 30 inches long. The model is 44020. There is also a stamp of some sort next to the model number. The stamp appears to be two crosses like an x with spades on the end of the crosses and looks like there are 2 hearts in the x. "John Buckingham" is engraved in brass on both sides of the firing mechanism. It has wood enlay on the butt of 3 deer and a few trees. There is detailed engraving on the underside and sides of the firing mechanism.

    General Condition: is fair to good. The stock has some little chips out of the wood. There is a chip of wood out of the bottom. Some scratches on the wood. The "John Buckingham" engraved on the right side is very faded but reads well on the left side. The wood has some notches in it.

    We are still examining it and will post any other info. I will get a picture up soon.

    Thanks,
    Nicole
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  • Trinity3
    I have photos available. How do I post them? Or should I email them to you?

    Please advise.
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  • nord
    Proofs as described would indicate English origin, but the rest isn't adding up.

    My guess is that the gun is not a muzzle loader. Rather, it breaks at the breach. Am I correct in this? If so, then the piece is merely a hammergun... Not at all unusual in configuration.

    If I'm wrong, the gun will have a ramrod. Even then I'd bet on percussion rather than flint. Generally we don't see many flints in "modern" configuration. Percussion arms are equipped with a nipple over which a cap is placed. The hammer falls onto the cap and ignition ensues.

    Early gun tubes will be of damascus-type construction. You'll note a spiral pattern on the barrels and they'll be browned instead of blued. Later guns (mostly after WW1) will have fluid steel tubes. These are much stronger and will bear a blue finish and no patterning, but I'll bet on the former.

    Unless your gun is in proof (it's not), then it's considered unsafe to shoot... Perhaps with any load at all, but certainly never with nitro powder. Have a good smith check it out before you do anything that might cause injury to you or the gun.

    A photo series would be nice.



    Nord
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  • Trinity3
    You are right, it is a hammergun. We do not observe a spiral pattern on the barrels but they are browned rather than blue. I'm figuring out how to post an image.

    Thanks for your input.
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  • nord
    Nicole -

    You're most welcome. Thank you for being so polite.

    Browned tubes are an almost certain sign of damascus-type construction, though lack of spiral design on the tubes could be an indication of cast steel... Especially if the gun is British.

    This would probably put the gun at the lower end of the spectrum as quality damascus is stronger and much more labor-intensive to produce. My warning not to attempt to load and fire the gun still stands. Maybe more so as I'm beginning to get a clearer understanding of the gun.

    Be patient with us. As photos become available I think we'll be better able to help you.

    Best,

    Nord
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