doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Charles Daly hammer gun opinions/info?

I recently won a 10ga Charles Daly damascus hammer gun at auction, but have yet to receive it. I don't know a lot about them, other than they appear to be very well made, elegant guns. I plan on sprucing it up and re-selling it, but I'm curious if there's anything unique about them that I should be aware of going in? Thanks.

Mark, the Daly hammer guns run the gamut of decoration , but most of ones I have seen started out from Geo. Lindner and later his son. There may be a "stray" Daly hammer gun from other sources and countries, but most probably it is German.

Thanks Daryl. A brief wikipedia search turned up this interesting paragraph: "Charles Daly was born in New York City on October 12, 1839. In the late nineteenth century, around 1875, in New York, Charles Daly and August Shoverling began a business importing firearms into the United States, primarily from the city of Suhl in what was then Prussia. Manufacturers for Daly at that time included Heym, Shiller, H. A. Lindner, Sauer, J&W Tolley of England, Newman (of Belgium) and Lefever Arms."

I had no idea that Lefever made guns for Mr. Daly, but I can see the connection/influence.

Mark, there are examples of the Lefever hammerless sidecocker marked Daly. Where and by whom these were made , I do not know for sure. If the Wikipedia paragraph is read correctly as those were makers for Daly marked guns in 1875, then I feel, without going into my records, that there are errors in the statement. Maybe over the years all could have made some Daly marked guns. I think the Shiller maker is actually Shilling.

Mark,

Congrats on your gun. As Daryl mentioned, while S&D (later SD&G) sourced the majority of their hammer guns from Georg Lindner (followed by his son Heinrich), the earliest Daly hammer guns show a lot of variation in their design and makers. To be honest, the early hammer guns are all over the map.

The wikipedia entry appear to have some inaccuracies. To start, from period references, SD&G were retailing guns with the Daly prior to 1875. My best estimate is they started circa-1870. Also, I I do not believe Lefever ever made Daly guns. While some early Daly hammerless guns were built on the Lefever sidecocker patent, I don't believe Lefever actually manufactured them.

Eager to see pics of what you bought.

Ken

I'm pretty sure mine would be dated around 1871 with parts sourced in Birmingham and assembled somewhere in Germany. Smells like a Lindner but we will never know. Brazed barrels! Scott's (?) serial number 15,251 all over it. Oh, the scroll extension on the guard was not original--I've since removed it.

I have several in both 12 and 10 gauge which I hunt with on a regular basis- they all feature the crossed pistols indicating Lindner made guns - likely Georg. I have found them to be high quality guns with excellent barrels, excellent fit and finish and have all functioned flawlessly. This is my " bluebird" day duck gun: 10 g Daly Diamond Grade
best regards,
JBP

JB, reckon the same hand engraved both these guns? Mine is a Diamond 16.

Wow - great looking guns.

That 16 is something....any more pics?

OWD

I'd say that possibly the same artisan performed the tap, tap, tap or more likely they differ by one be the master & the other his student. Engraver Hugo Kolb was Georg Lindner's Brother-in-Law & Fritz Heimbeck was a student of Kolb.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=236738

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse