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Forums10
Topics39,515
Posts562,226
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Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 532 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 532 Likes: 1 |
Daryl, That sounds familiar. I call around to organize fall bird hunting or duck hunting in the spring or summer, and the response I get is "Let's talk later. They haven't announced the seasons yet." It's just a nice thing to think about, even if prematurely! Beautiful hammergun.
Rich
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11 |
Your pics; clearly show that your gun is built to the Joseph Smith patent 3171 of 1863.Externally the action closely resembles the more famous Needham action. The "British Shot Gun" Vol,1 pages 109-115 reviews the pros and cons of this action. Patent drawings of the various options covered by this patent are also illustrated. You gun is a fine example of a very rare action.
Roy Hebbes
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,457 Likes: 336
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,457 Likes: 336 |
Roy, thanks for the reference. I, too, would have guessed the Needham patent from the exterior appearance, but I had help by being able to look inside.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3 |
Your gun is similar looking to a Needham, but a Needham patent action will automatically put the hammers at half cock with the lever when you open the gun. Does your smith put the hammers at half cock when you close the action ? also, is your forearm attached with a machine screw ? William Richards guns used Joseph Smith's patent action and his guns have many of the same features, however the william richards firm is much older. I wonder if there is a connection from the early days in Birmingham when they might have worked there together ?
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3 |
After taking another look at the J. Smith and reading it has rebounding locks, it will not have the half cocking feature. has the patent number been restamped ? It seems they have used an older action, probably a pinfire, with newer steel barrels, I believe the .577 rifle was a pinfire at one time too. when the pinfire became obsolete many good guns were converted to centerfire and it was the best guns which were worth the time and expense.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1 |
Hello,
I am new to this forum. Last week I purchased one of these Joseph Smith shotguns as a wall hanger for $100 from my local dealer. Would like to nail down the exact year etc. It looks very much like the one Daryl shows. Dealer said it will not fire.
Any help would be appreciated!
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 195
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 195 |
Daryl
You certainly have good taste (and knowledge)--
Congratulations
Berrien
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
Hello,
I am new to this forum. Last week I purchased one of these Joseph Smith shotguns as a wall hanger for $100 from my local dealer. Would like to nail down the exact year etc. It looks very much like the one Daryl shows. Dealer said it will not fire.
Any help would be appreciated! Welcome!!!  We need a little more information then that.
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