No real marking on it except swirly designs on the metal. Side by side. The gun does not "open" for shells so it appears to be a muzzle loader. Funny story. A long time ago I pulled one of the hammers back and had my cheek too close to it and it pinched it, had a bruise for a week. Thanks for the help
help ID this shotgun (civil war era?)
- Thread starter brettrow
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Most definately a muzzle loader.
And a pretty high grade one judging by the fiddle-back grain in the stock wood.
No way to positively I.D. it if you can't find any markings on the top of the barrel rib or on the locks.
I would tap out the barrel key, remove the barrels from the stock, and look for any proof-marks or makers marks on the under-side of the barrels near the breach end.
The barrels will lift up at the front and unhook from the breach block once you remove the key.
rc
And a pretty high grade one judging by the fiddle-back grain in the stock wood.
No way to positively I.D. it if you can't find any markings on the top of the barrel rib or on the locks.
I would tap out the barrel key, remove the barrels from the stock, and look for any proof-marks or makers marks on the under-side of the barrels near the breach end.
The barrels will lift up at the front and unhook from the breach block once you remove the key.
rc
Thank you. I removed the barrel and there are a number of marks. The largest look like hash marks (like two large slashes that almost touch to form a V, then three more straight down almost like it says V III ). Then I see what looks like IG with maybe a crown symbol (or kinda looks like an apple too) above the IG. Then I see NL, then 17.4, another Crown symbol above a Y, and a K. There are other faded marks that I cant make out.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Very possibly Belgian made then.
They supplied the world market with cheap to fairly expensive shotguns of various quality then.
Mostly a cottage industry with one guy making locks, another guy making barrels, and another guy making stocks.
Then yet another guy putting the parts all together.
Even if it had a name on it, it wouldn't tell you a whole lot.
Look here and see what you see that might match what you see on yours.
http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
rc
They supplied the world market with cheap to fairly expensive shotguns of various quality then.
Mostly a cottage industry with one guy making locks, another guy making barrels, and another guy making stocks.
Then yet another guy putting the parts all together.
Even if it had a name on it, it wouldn't tell you a whole lot.
Look here and see what you see that might match what you see on yours.
http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
rc
jimmyraythomason
Member
Looks older than Civil War era to me.
If you want information about your H&A, you should start your own thread with "H&A 1908 model safety police" in the title. That way people who know something about YOUR gun will open the thread. Ask some specific questions and pictures would be a big help.
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I am going to stick out my neck and say that the shotgun was restocked in the U.S. European makers just didn't use that kind of tiger stripe maple on their guns.
Almost needless to say, but DON'T even think of firing that gun!
Also, PLEASE use a ramrod or a dowel rod to MAKE SURE the gun is not loaded. It is very common for old shotguns to have been left loaded and there have been some tragic accidents.
Jim
Almost needless to say, but DON'T even think of firing that gun!
Also, PLEASE use a ramrod or a dowel rod to MAKE SURE the gun is not loaded. It is very common for old shotguns to have been left loaded and there have been some tragic accidents.
Jim
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