Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

info: LACLEDE LONDON S/S 12G. ?

Iowa
I have a S/S old double hammer 12 gauge shotgun with engraved receiver and the only markings on it ar LACLEDE LONDON,FINE DAMASCUS Each barrel is marked with number 840 on the bottom - on the bottom of barrel inbetween the rib is number 1446G - Is 840 the serial number? Also there is a makers mark that looks like two old axes crossed. Age , value, maker , any information? Thanks to all - Iowa
0

Comments

2 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    We got a disconnect here. Your discription appears to be of a English made shotgun "two old axes crossed"

    My reference identifies "Laclede Gun Co" as being found on a Belgian made hardware gun that was sold by the Rawlins Sporting Goods Co. of St.Louis, early in the 20th Century.

    Perhaps the above, is just a case of another Belgian "Knock-off" "Borrowing" the name of a legitimate English maker?

    luger_4.jpg
    0
  • He Dog
    Boothroyd's Directory of British Gunmakers does not list a Laclede as a British gunmaker, so one suspects a Belgian made gun. SXS's of the World shows Laclede Gun Company as an importer of typical Belgian shotguns around 1900. They were distributed by the Rawlins (finest in the field) Sporting Goods Co. of St. Louis, and show Belgian proof marks on the frame. The crossed axes may be a makers mark (not a proof mark) as crossed axes were used in Belgium, usually with a single die (as in half a pair of dice) between the axe handles. They are described as back action sidelocks, round frame, outside hammers, detachable, Steel barrels (which does not fit your damascus barrels), checkered wood, splinter forarm. Given the damascus barrels on your gun, this may not be the same.

    Since you have some posts, you likely know that damascus barrels were used with blackpowder shells, and should only be shot with blackpowder, not smokeless, and then only after being fully checked by a gunsmith with the expertise to access damascus barrels. If the gun is Belgian, it is one of very, very many, and value will likely be about $100-$50 as a wall hanger. If it is infact a London made gun, the value may well be higher, but the barrels are still suspect until checked. My bet is that it is Belgian.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity