|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
1 members (PM),
209
guests, and
4
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,537
Posts546,033
Members14,420
| |
Most Online1,344
Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Boxlock
|
OP
Boxlock
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24 |
On my ever ending search for a 16 gauge hammer gun, I found this one on gun broker: Gunbroker 16 gauge What do you guys think of this gun? It has 2 1/2" chambers. Is it generally safe to rechamber to 2 3/4" chambers on a steel barreled gun like this? The gun looks pretty nice, but I have know idea if it's worth getting. It also looks to be a 16 gauge frame, but I'm not sure. I've got some pics of the underside of the barrel and receiver, but I'm not sure how to put them on here. The barrel says, acier decarbjre. Each barrel says St. Etienne and have 17.0 on both. 6.5 is on both flats and a crown with PM under it. It also say St. Etienne again and something else I can't make out. The reciever just has the crown and PM with the serial number. Thanks for any help on this.
Winchester Levers, Double barrel Hammerguns, and single shots.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,741 Likes: 495
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,741 Likes: 495 |
Why bother reaming this gun from 2 1/2 to 2 3/4" when you do not have to do it? Easy to find 2 1/2" shells these days and the real problem is pressure not how long the empty is. Join the 16GA. loading list on the 16Ga. web site and reload your own. Factory loads would be a bit too high pressure for this gun.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,199 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,199 Likes: 7 |
Concur with KY Jon - this gun appears too nice to monkey around with lengthening the chambers and 2 1/2 inch shells are readily available (or makeable, if you reload). French hammerguns are pretty thin on the ground and this one looks exquisite. The big question, though, is: What do the inside of the bores look like. My experience is that they come pitted a lot of the time and you have to be darned careful about that. There's not a lot of meat in these barrels and pitting (or reaming out chambers) can get a bit dubious.
The marks you write about:
"acier decarbure" - decarboned steel
"17.0" - the bore diameter in millimeters, which translates to a 16 gauge
"6.5" - the chamber length in centimeters, which translates to 2 1/2 inches
"St. Etienne" - the proofhouse in St. Etienne, France, where the gun went through proof testing.
the wreaths - the number of wreaths indicates the intensity of the proof testing.
the crown with PW - an initial proof
"Eprouve Poudre Pyroxlee" - proofed with smokeless (nitro) powder
fiery, dependable, occasionally transcendent
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103 |
Fourteenth picture shows what looks to me like a pretty bad looking dent in the right barrel just behind the sling swivel..Geo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,852 Likes: 151
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,852 Likes: 151 |
Overhead view of the breech showing both hammers down,,the left one doesn't hit it's firing pin squarely.
I'm not a big on baseing everything on the lever position (this one is right at 6),,but the visable end of the cross bolt on the left side is buried into the receiver fence. Ususally they're out a few .000" or in the least flush with the fence when all is well.
Every Screw is buggered.
The frame, trigger guard, locks, ect all appear to have been buffed/shined up a bit before setting it out on the lot for sale.
Nice wood grain. I'd guess the wood has been gone over too from the looks of the edges of the inletting around the metal in places, the fit of the butt plate, the ultra high gloss and yet the wear to the checkering and wear and rounded edges of the wood around the locks that are underneath the finish.
Rear swivel missing.
No look at the insides of anything (TD) in all the pics.
Just some observations...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,435 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,435 Likes: 1 |
I think that if you do buy it, it will need some rehab. Don't even think about reaming that gun out to 2 3/4" and shooting modern high pressure cartridges in it.....that would be a sin!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Like many no name French guns, this one has seen better days. There are alot of dings on the stock and barrels. Some fool removed the rear sling swivel and replaced it with a screw. From the shine of the wood, I would guess someone put a coat of tru-oil on the stock.
The real question is what is the seller's inspection policy? I would not want to buy it only realize that I will spend more than I paid to fix all the little things.
Pete
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,384 Likes: 106
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,384 Likes: 106 |
The PM indicates the kind of powder it was proofed with: smokeless M. That dates the gun to 1914 or earlier. Post-1914, proof had to be with smokeless powder T. Thus, you'll see only a PT on newer French guns.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Boxlock
|
|
OP
Boxlock
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24 |
Thanks for the info guys.
I'm going to keep looking. I had noticed that the screws were buggered. The bores are supposedly in good shape. I'm just not willing to mess with 2 1/2" shells right now, even though I do reload for all the guages.
The search continues.
Winchester Levers, Double barrel Hammerguns, and single shots.
|
|
|
|
|
