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tj1057
I am tring to get a value on a NB Davis & Sons Double Barrell Shotgun. I think the gun is antique but have no idea the year, I cant find any numbers on the gun. Any information will be helpful.
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  • tj1057
    I have a shotgun owned by my grandfather manufactured by N.R. Davis & Sons. On the barrel is SB8, this is a single shot 16 gauge and is well over 90 years old I was wondering the monatery value of it. ThankYou

    JoAnn Oxley
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  • nord
    Tom -

    I can only answer your question with a general statement...

    Your gun has damascus-type tubes. These were manufactured in Europe and I'd expect to see proofs hidden under the stock where the tubes are covered. Remove the barrels to view. I'm guessing "ELG" (Belgium).

    Mid 1800's is a fair guess, though I'd say closer to 1860-1870. No matter what, the gun was designed for black powder. Whether it could still withstand a load is questionable at best. Nitro loads are completely out of the question.

    Unless the gun is of unquestionable quality (It's not... You would have noticed), it's probably going to be relegated into the utility category. Combine this fact with being a muzzlestuffer and you have an interesting wallhanger.

    Prices for such seldom exceed $200.00 and quite often don't make the $75.00 mark.

    Obviously my opinion, but I have a feeling I'm pretty much on the mark.

    Nord
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  • chucky
    quote:Originally posted by tj1057
    I have a double barrell muzzel load shotgun in good condition and no dates on it or serial numbers. On one side it says "Cincinnati 0" and on the other side it says "G & F Spicker" and on top of the barrells it says "Superfini Laminated Steel". Does anyone know where I can find out more about this gun? Such as the Manufacturer and when it was made and where. I was told it was made in Belgium and was made around the mid 1800's. The gun has two triggers offset one in front of the other, and the two firing pins look like fish heads. Any help on the identity or the worth of such a gun is appreciated and the gun is safe to shoot I would like to sell it but I do not kbow the worth. Thanks Tom
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  • chucky
    Tom,
    Any luck with more info on this gun? I have a somewhat similar gun with the Spicker designation on each lock, Damascus barrels, the fish hammers, and quite a bit of fancy engraving on the stock and the metalwork. I know very little about it and would like to know more. Sorry about my earlier screw-up posting.
    Thanks
    Joe
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  • Bert H.
    I am going out on a limb here, but to the very best of my knowledge, any SxS scattergun with firings pins is a breech loading cartridge gun... not a muzzle loader.

    Based on the markings on the frame, it is a "hardware store" gun, and most likely imported from Belgium sometime between 1890 - 1914. Break the gun down and look on the bottom of the tubes near breech end. You will most likely find the letters "ELG" in an oval stamped (indicating Belgian origin). If it does not have the Belgian proofmarks, then the next most likely manufacturer would be Crescent Arms.

    As Nord pointed put, it is not safe to shoot with ANY modern manufactured smokeless powder loads. Shooting it with blackpowder might be acceptable, but it really depends upon the condition of the bores and the mechanical condition of the frame. Typical values for most old damascus tubed scatterguns of unknown manufacture/orgin is also as Nord metioned... $75 - $200.
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  • nord
    Bert -

    He means hammers... I reference "fish heads".

    Belgian, I believe.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by nord
    Bert -

    He means hammers... I reference "fish heads".

    Belgian, I believe.


    That may be, but my bet is that it is a hammer cartridge gun from the 1890 - 1914 era. The practice of marking the name of the hardware store on shotguns was not in vogue during the muzzle loader era.
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  • chucky
    Mine is a muzzel loader, and is clearly not a "hardware store" or generic gun. It is quite elaborate in its wood carving and metal engraving, and is horn on the trigger guard where your hand wraps that is really nice - smooth like black plastic after all these years. Metal right around the triggers, then changing to the black horn/bone where your other three fingers wrap. It is not clear if G&F Spicker was the gun manufacturer or just made the locks. And my barrels say "DAMAS LAMINETTE" in gold inlay - real gold and real inlay.

    The stock features carvings of a hunter and his dog in front of a tree and a fence that might be split rail, next to the cheek rest, and lots of carving everywhere else. The right lock is engraved with a fox, and the left one with a hound. The barrels have an almost lacy pattern engraved in a candy cane pattern that twists to match the steel of the barrel, the entire length of the barrels. The sighting bridge (whatever it is called) is likewise engraved. All screw heads are engraved. The metal part of the trigger guard depicts a bird in a tree, possibly a raptor.

    The number "2397" is engraved on the butt plate. And a flower (daisy?) pattern is engraved around the lower screw on the butt plate.

    Finish appears to be original, and is in outstanding condition. Has what appears to be the original ramrod and shoulder strap. Locks are tight and in excellent condition.

    The ramrod tip is metal and screws off to reverse into a twisted metal "claw"-like end, apparently to retrieve mistakes from the barrels.

    I might learn more by taking it apart, but would hate to do so. The gun looks like it has never been disassembled.

    Does this additional detail ring any bells with anyone out there?
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  • nord
    This is getting complicated...

    TJ - My answer stands. Inexpensive Belgian.

    Chucky - Photos would be best here. Proofs are necessary. The problem is that your description fits neatly into two different categories.

    First is the cheap Belgian knockoff. These guys were masters of turning a sows ear into a fair rendition of a silk purse.

    If not the former, then possibly a Belgian of higher quality, or a German piece. (I use the term, but know Germany didn't exist as such at the time.)

    My instinct leads me toward a Belgian gun. Photos are really the only way to make an educated guess, save seeing the gun in person.
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  • chucky
    Thanks, Nord. Sorry, but I'm new here. Can I paste a picture into my posting? Looks like I not allowed to attach files.

    One other tiny bit of information: Found a G & F Spicker referenced on Amazon in a historical fishing tackle book as a fishing reel maker in Ohio. Haven't actually seen the book as yet. Interesting that Ohio keeps coming up. This gun was found in an old house in Cincinnati maybe 50 years ago. Is it possible that Spicker was a German/Belgian immigrant who set up shop in Cincinnati somewhere in the 1800s?

    Thanks to all of you for your help.
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  • He Dog
    Nord, I tend to agree with you amigo, but with the "laminate steel" I wonder if these might be wire barrels.

    In any event, neither of these shotguns should be fired, please note Nord's caution above, we kinda like to keep our posters in good condition around here.
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