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Old shotgun info please

freemant
Hi-
Bought an old black powder SxS shotgun at an antique auction the other day and would like to see if anyone might have some info on it. It appears to be a 20 gage with outside hammers, english style stock, but no numbers or other identifying marks except for the name "W. Moore" stamped on both of the side locks. Someone has scratched "Arthur Caldwell" on top of the rib that holds the barrels together. It does not appear to be a fancy gun just an old fowling peice. Anyone out there know about these guns and what time period they was used? As always any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Terry
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    There was an English Maker...William Moore...But from the discription You gave Its doubtful that its an English made gun...If You dismount the barrels and look under the Breech End You will Find Proof Marks...If You post what You find there.....Then I/We will know for sure just what You have.....I'm betting there is an Oval with the Letters E over LG in the center....which will prove wither or not its a Belgium Knockdown or a William Moore Shotgun from London....Best......

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • CountryGunsmith
    The English shotguns from Wm Moore & Co are usually marked as such and will have the definitive proofs from the Birmingham proof house. This company made upscale and best-quality guns in London until just before 1900.

    Most likely, yours is a Belgian import. The catalog hardware giant HD Folsom Co in New York sold a "W MOORE" Belgian barlock shotgun with hammers in 12 or 14ga c.1884. It would have the traditional Belgian proofs under the barrels, and was marked just as you indicate (without the rib scratching). Many of the Belgian import doubles had 'trade names' that attempted to mislead unwary purchasers - such as BARKER and SAM HOLT.

    Either would not be safe to shoot with modern ammunition. The Belgian gun has only decorator value while the English gun would need to be appraised in person.



    Scrappy Doo sleeps with the fishes.
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  • freemant
    Thanks guys! I now have the forearm off and am looking at the underside of the breech end of the barrels. There's no oval with letters inside. Each barrel is stamped with several markings. They are very hard to discern but several of them appear to have an X-like mark that has a crown looking symbol on top. The number "14" apears on both barrels. Both barrels also have a strange shaped symbol with script style letters "RI" or "BI" in the center. All these are very small (approx 1/8") and hard to make out. I only bought it for it's ethetic value so decorator value is fine with me. It was about 100 bucks so I can't complain. It's history is mainly what I'm interested in.

    Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Terry
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    From your discription, it sounds like an Early Provisional Proof...Can You submit a Photo so that We can cross referance the Proof...Your discription is just to vague to be sure if its Belguim or English............

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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