doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Daw Snap Action - Picture request

I recently had the good fortune to acquire a 16ga snap-action double by George H. Daw. The gun is in good order overall, but the head of the clip that once secured the closed lever to the trigger guard is missing. I suspect Mr. Daw had good reason for adding a clip, and would in any case like to have a replacement made. If any member here has a Daw with an intact clip, therefore, and would be kind enough to provide a photo to model a replacement on, I would very much appreciate this. [img]https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8jg8...77lkd2lviuial7l&st=wq8qontb&dl=0[/img]

I took the Daw out to shoot it for the first time yesterday evening. The cartridges were made up with 16ga Magtech cases, 4g of Swiss fff, a quantity of cornmeal filler between two 18mm diameter 3mm cork wads, and 28g of #6 lead shot, topped by a double overshot card sealed with water-glass.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0pio...1oll1ov1yq66gun&st=drnjydsj&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t7le...ftmzlnn5z7qg4qi&st=2ceglbdv&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zybf...fggj7rz1q5jbfk1&st=tvw4y4ow&dl=0
No time for proper pattern testing, but an enjoyable first leg on the journey, nonetheless.

I was very pleased to get hold of 16ga brass cases, though by whatever is the opposite of serendipity (Murphy's Law?), I "came by" the gun barely a day after the close of an online auction that listed 2 lots of original W.W. Greener 16ga cases that I never expected to need but came within a whisker of buying "just in case". Too prudent for my own good!
The Magtech cases weren't ready to load out of the box. The mouths were sharp, the primer pockets generally overnight and shallow, and the flash holes poorly centred and too small for even a .17 calibre de-capping rod.
So I tumbled them, chamfered and uniformed the pockets, and used my de-burring tool on the flash holes - which had to be done from both sides because of the double-skinned construction of the case head.
The other issue is the need for home-made wads, because the thin walls of the cases create an 18mm internal diameter that is oversized for regular 16ga wads, and because in the UK I haven't been able to find a commercial source of wads between 16ga and 12ga.
I can cut wads out of cork sheet up to about 5mm thick with a hand punch, but the 3mm sheet cuts cleaner. Either way, making up the space that would otherwise be occupied by felt wads is easier with corn meal than a stack of thin wads.
That said, any suggestions for tools or materials for making 12mm or 18mm felt or fibre wads would be welcome.

Edit: you may already have guessed, but the Draw is in black powder proof only.

I have a Daw 12 gauge snap action that I shoot regularly with smokeless powder. The urgency to protect damascus guns isn’t as critical as many say it is. I have several 12 gauge damascus guns and shoot them all with smokeless loads.

An accomplished gun maker and gunsmith told me of the myths of black powder only in the old damascus guns is primarily for any that are loose and out of proof. Good English damascus is strong and safe. If you ever wonder about critical barrel pressure, check out Winchester’s fiberglass wrapped barrels of the late 1950’s.

The snap action on my Daw has the catch worn down too, so the picture probably won’t help your research. I have hunted and shot it for years with no concern about the catch being worn..

Daw was a GREAT maker! I have had a few through the shop and would like to add one to my collection.

Jules, I have obtained wad cutters in odd sizes from Henry Krank's. By finding the size nearest but tighter and they have polished them out to the correct size for me for a modest fee. I needed an 18 bore cutter for a muzzle loader and had a 20 bore cutter they opened up slightly. I do know someone with a Daw that was successfully nitro proofed. I have one but marked Frederick Gates of Derby but I will stick to black in mine. Worth a ring to Kranks. Lagopus....

Thanks. Are you able to cut good thick wads with your Frank cutters, and, if so, what from?
Also, re proof, I've no great itch to nitro proof the Daw. It has enough vintage and modern company in the cabinet that it doesn't need to be put to serious use. I also rather like the fact that it only has it's original stamps, and enjoyed dropping hand loaded brass cartridges into its chambers the other evening. A novelty for me.

I have a Daw underlever I will sell…

Jules, link to Krank's site page for wad punches: https://www.henrykrank.com/muzzle-loading/muzzle-loading-tools/wad-punches/
I have used horse saddle padding which you can find from a saddler. They will often have offcuts that they just throw away. This is another source I intend to try: https://chimneysheep.co.uk/collections/new-in/products/wool-pipe-lagging Cut and sandwiched between card wads. Lagopus.....

Forgot to add: Kranks also sell 14 bore wads in both card and felt. I use them in a 14 bore muzzle loader. The wads are fairly soft and pliable so may do the job. Lagopus.....