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Knickerbocker 12 ga

Sparty_76
I inherited and old 12 ga American Gun Co "Knickerbocker" side by side. It belonged to my maternal grandfather. It seems to have a very tight action with no side movement when closed up. I think it was manufactured in the 1920s. I have three questions.

#1 Would it be safe to use with modern high brass 2.75" shells for pheasant hunting? I have shot trap laods and other low brass shells with no problems. What about steel shot?

#2 What is the easiest way to find out what chokes are in the barrels?

It is worth a lot more to me then anyone else, so might just be a over the fireplace decoration gun.... Thanks

Fitz
0

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2 comments

Date Votes
  • nord
    The gun is a Crescent. If made in the 20's, then it has fluid steel tubes and is safe to shoot. Just make sure the chambers are relieved for modern shells.

    A poor man's guide to chokes... Drop a dime down the right tube. That will indicate a probable I/C. Your dime won't quite slip past the muzzle on the left side. That will be full choke.

    Mind you, I'm just guessing, but that's the way most of these guns were constructed. I'd spend a bit of time patterning the gun as plactic loads were far in the future whey your gun was made. It's quite possible that the chokes will be much tighter than we might expect today. My Smith's are that way.

    Value? You're probably correct. It's a purely utility gun and isn't quite in the class of some of the other domestics. Still, a nice shooter and a family heirloom.

    Nord

    P.S.

    NO STEEL SHOT!
    0
  • nord
    quote:Originally posted by nord
    The gun is a Crescent. If made in the 20's, then it has fluid steel tubes and is safe to shoot. Just make sure the chambers are relieved for modern shells.

    A poor man's guide to chokes... Drop a dime down the right tube. That will indicate a probable I/C. Your dime won't quite slip past the muzzle on the left side. That will be full choke.

    Mind you, I'm just guessing, but that's the way most of these guns were constructed. I'd spend a bit of time patterning the gun as plactic loads were far in the future when your gun was made. It's quite possible that the chokes will be much tighter than we might expect today. My Smith's are that way.

    Value? You're probably correct. It's a purely utility gun and isn't quite in the class of some of the other domestics. Still, a nice shooter and a family heirloom.

    Nord

    P.S.

    NO STEEL SHOT!


    Nord
    0

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