(My first post here - please be kind!)
This one was my grandfather's, and it took down a LOT of rabbits, squirrels, dove, and other assorted small game in the East Tennessee hills. Looks to be from 1923, chambered for 65mm. Can't make out any identifying manufacturer's marks (unless the "LJ" in the box on the left barrel means something), and some of the marks appear contradictory (unless we are misreading the marks using the charts at damascus-barrels.com). My father used it until he stopped hunting in the early 60's, but it appears he was using 2.75" shells (he had some leftovers we just used up in a friend's Rem. 870). I bought a flat of Holland & Holland 67mm light loads (15/16 oz. of #7-1/2) from Classic Shooting, and it seems to like it.
Doesn't seem to be anything special; probably not worth much at all, except for the family connection. It's in fairly decent shape, and it shoots the light loads nicely. (Other factory loads make it kick like a mule.) Here are some shots of the proof marks and other markings.
Any idea of the actual maker? My guess is that this from one of the ton of anonymous places turning out stuff for the American farmer's mailorder market. One barrel is marked 'choke', but is there any way to determine what it was, or should I just take it to a local shop and have them mic it?
Thanks in advance for any additional insight or information!
