doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com SXS Side-Lever ID?

I have come into possession of what appears to be an English (perhaps Belgian) gun from the late 1800s. I can find not marks that might lead me to identifying the manufacturer. Any help (facts, opinions, lore, etc.) would be appreciated.

In the spirit of brevity, the next 15,000 words have been reduced to pictures:











[img]http://www.hsnw.com/ordnance/sl11.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.hsnw.com/ordnance/sl12.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.hsnw.com/ordnance/sl10.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.hsnw.com/ordnance/sl14.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.hsnw.com/ordnance/sl15.jpg[/img]

Thanks in advance

Are there any marking on the RIB of the shotgun?

From what I can see looking at the pic on the phone

The proof marks are from Birmingham

Could this be a converted muzzleloader?

With kind regards,
Jani

It is identical to my Wm Moore & Co.

[img:left][/img]

If you look at the photo of the right side of the frame it looks slightly bent at the bottom of the frame. And there appears to be no radius on this old gun. Probably why the frame bent over time? I think this may illustrate why a radius eventually evolved and was built into more modern guns? Or maybe the camera/photo could have just caused an illusion?

I was in a bit of a rush when I made my original post, so in addition, this is a 12 gauge Damascus barrel (30 inch), rebounding hammer shotgun, with no discernible markings on the rib, nor, with the exception of the proof marks (Birmingham) on the barrels and frame, anywhere else on the gun.

It is certain that this is in its original, as-built form, has been used very little (locks up tight, the locks operate crisply, and there is virtually no wear to the wood or metal).

It has what I would consider unusually fine wood, engraving and checkering for the period (we have an nice 1894 Westley Richards that is more plain).

I know that several of the well-known manufacturers made guns that retailers (particularly purveyors of fine goods in Bombay, Calcutta and N. America) could sell under their own name and engrave accordingly. Perhaps this is one that just never got marked (Marqued?).

Stallone, if you take a closer look, you will see that this gun has a squarer mid-frame section, larger hammers and entirely different side locks than your W. A. Moore.

Any more guesses, anyone?

Lin, YOu are right of course. However there are real similarities including the same grip cap, and trigger tang. I My gun is late 60's early 70s and I think the same (likely Birmingham) maker made both, with yours a few years later .
Mine is marker Wm Moore, but info indicates Wm Moore was not in business during this time frame.

I have the exact gun in 10 guage except it being a top lever the proofs and engraving are the same it is marked on the top rib English fine steel and the locks are marked W.Richards. I assume mine being british giving the proofs. it is also very finely made and has nice wood. circa 1870

I have a 12 ga Birmingham proofed W Richards that looks very much like Stallones' Wm Moore. Mine is back actioned & side lever. Mine does have a snap off forend rather than being keyed, so may be slightly later & is straight gripped so no grip cap to compare. I have been told that J P Clabrough made some guns marked W Richards, but have no way to verify this is one of them. Though it is now in rather poor condition it does appear to have been better built than the more common W Richards Belgian guns. I do not know if Clabrough made any Wm Moore marked guns or not. I do know mine was proofed prior to 1887, but don't really recall if it can be dated further back than than that or not.

Is this a hammergun? Photos would be helpful.

See page 1
or were you asking 2-piper to post pictures of his gun?

I guess I shouldn't do this in the morning before coffee. Sorry.