doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gathering Info on old double gun - pics included

I posted a query on this gun earlier but without pictures. I'm trying to collect as much info as possible on this gun before I turn it over to my son. It belonged to my gr grandfather so it has sentimental value even though it is mostly a piece of junk, I suppose. Broken stock, missing hammers and nipples, rusty. Certainly never to be fired again but I'm hoping I can get it in good enough shape for a wall hanger. I believe the markings on the barrel make it of English origin, probably Isaac Hollis and sons. Please take a look for yourself. The proof marks appear to be of Birmingham origin, I think, at least the barrels. The locks bear the name A P Gemmer and I don't know if he is related to the famous J P Gemmer. Any info you can provide regarding any aspect of this gun will be greatly appreciated. Follow this link to a Dropbox page which contains 10 images of various parts of the gun.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ppw8uhgmehctvjk/AABVIy6lcsy3v8jpciXiIgbGa?dl=0

Thanks for your help! You guys are great.
Paul Robinson

Only thing I can truthfully observe from the photos is that you have succeeded in rubbing off all your Great Grandfathers hard earned patina...thus removing all association he had with the gun and all sentimental value.

I agree with Joe to the extent that I too find patina (fancy term for rust and grime polished with bodily oils through handling) aesthetically pleasing on an old gun.

However, rest assured that matters of sentimental value, association with your great grandfather and how you choose to preserve and display the gun are the sole property of you and your family. Let no one else put patina on your dream.

PaulieD,
Don't listen to HomelessjOe, your great grandfather's association with the gun and it's sentimental value to you is entirely up to you to decide. Also the "patina"(rust), was not likely your great grandfather's; rather it likely came in the intervening generations.
Mike

With an attitude like that I can see why you're homeless. The gun still has lots of sentimental value to me, despite your caustic and unhelpful remarks.

BTW, the gun came to me in the condition you see. For those who would like to help me, should I continue the stripping of the patina (rust) and then attempt to refinish it? Should I add hammers and nipples? The stock has been glued together. Should I be concerned with that. Should I try refinishing the wood? What do the proof marks tell us? Who was J.T (the proof guy?). What is the little sickle symbol that appears three times on the barrel? How old is the gun and who made it? These are all newbie questions which describes me perfectly.

Repeated for accuracy.

Paul, I have a 1909 Fox A grade bought new by my great grandfather. Sometime in the next 25 years it will go to his great great grandson. I had it fully restored 12 years ago and could not be happier with my decision. It is now as my great grandfather first used it. It gets used but is completely ready for the next 100 years. Good luck.

Thanks for the post, canvasback. Also thanks to Der Ami and nine pointer for their moral support. Let me repeat:

For those who would like to help me, should I continue the stripping of the patina (rust) and then attempt to refinish it? Should I add hammers and nipples? The stock has been glued together. Should I be concerned with that. Should I try refinishing the wood? What do the proof marks tell us? Who was J.T (the proof guy?). What is the little sickle symbol that appears three times on the barrel? How old is the gun and who made it? These are all newbie questions which describes me perfectly.

PaulieD,

I'm 100% behind you and am going through the same process on a pinfire 16. My grandfather taught me 'de gustibus non est disputandum', besides, my feeling is that most of the patina and pits probably developed in a closet long after the original hunter's days had ceased.

With the name A. P. Gemmer on the outside of the lock where I Hollis & Sons should appear it looks like he was a retailer and Isaac Hollis & Sons built the gun for him.

Isaac Hollis & Sons est. 1861 were successors to the firm Hollis & Sheath.

You're not going to be able to just order the hammers, I wouldn't expect.

If it was me, I wouldn't refinish the wood. The old/weathered look is probably the route I would go, this is likely a job that's beyond the newbie. It would end up looking old and refinished instead of just old, if that makes sense.

Enjoy the shotgun for its heritage and don't let detractors get you down!