J.bown engraved 12ga double barrel shotgun made in pittsburg pa.

[eastbank]

i picked up this engraved under lever 12 ga shotgun with damascus 30" barrels marked J. bown pittsburg on the locks, the shotgun is in very nice condition outside and inside. i,m thinking of getting the proper shells for it and doing a little small game hunting with it. i don,t know its value, but i got a good deal on it as it came with several other firearms.

 

[drband]

Somebody already ruined the engraving with a wire wheel or steel brush. It’s pretty faded.
As far as shooting, I would have a gunsmith check it first. It would not be safe to fire standard length shells (which you seem to know). The Aguila Mini-Shells or Federal Shorty shells might be ok. Follow your gunsmiths advice.

(Of course, I’m relying on the pics you posted—It may look much better than they seem!)

It certainly is an interesting old shotgun!

 

[eastbank]

i don,t think it was wire brushed, i looked at it with a 10x loop and could not see marks, my be polished at one time. it had alot of grime and dust on it and i used a soft cloth to wipe it down. there,s a out fit that sells shells that are safe in damascus barreled guns in good condition.

 

[drband]

i don,t think it was wire brushed, i looked at it with a 10x loop and could not see marks, my be polished at one time. it had alot of grime and dust on it and i used a soft cloth to wipe it down. there,s a out fit that sells shells that are safe in damascus barreled guns in good condition.

I’m curious about the breech mechanism. Does it just open up on top when you slide the underlever to the side?

 

[Jim Watson]

James Bown and his sons were well known gunmakers in Pittsburgh in the mid 19th. What I see with a short google is muzzleloading rifles.
I would study the water table and barrel flats for proofmarks to see if perhaps he imported this shotgun to sell under his own name.

 

[eastbank]

yes it does, a very tight lock up, on the under neath barrel flats its marked 3 dram powder-1-1/4 oz shot(maybe proof load). he may have as it has birmingham england marks.

 

[drband]

yes it does, a very tight lock up, on the under neath barrel flats its marked 3 dram powder-1-1/4 oz shot(maybe proof load). he may have as it has birmingham england marks.

The pics look like a tight lockup. If it’s English/imported, you may have a shooter there with appropriate ammo.
Please post if you take it shooting!

 

[Oldschool shooter]

With Damascus barrels, I was always under the impression that the shells were a blackpowder only proposition. I know there are more knowledgeable folks on here that can either confirm or deny this. Decent looking old shotgun, though. Enjoy it.

 

[Armored farmer]

I would probably proof both barrels before I shot it at all. Carefully study the barrels and bore. If that passes inspection. I would definitely proof it off of the sandbags a few times then re-examine it.
It just is not worth worth having an injury.
If it passes the tests shoot it. (A little)