doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 20 Ga. 1878 Reilly top-lever, hammer-gun

A friend purchased this gun with the knowledge of it being a mess and with their return policy in mind for education purposes. A few got together to view it.

Dead on arrival as the barrels measured in the teens, have already been over bored, are pitted completely through, and it shows on the exterior in spots as well . There was a lot of damaged and broken parts that do not show in their auction pictures. The purchaser had called and asked multiple question prior to the transaction and the answers were sugar coated.

The new listing on both sites says something along the lines that the barrels are shinny and great etc . The purchaser had informed the seller that the barrels had been professionally measured by two gunsmiths and were unsafe based on the given measurements and pitting. Seller stated “it’s a project gun, barrels probably just need sleeving”.

I was not one that had the money to tackle such a project, but I was happy I was able to view it. It’s a shame that beautiful craftsmanship came to such state. Barrel Damascus pattern was beautiful and so was the engraving minus the dremel cut. Action and barrel shape was sleek. Weighed in at 5 lbs 8 ounces in said condition.

Was it a 16, or a 20?

“Just need sleeving”. No big deal, in the year of our Lord 2026. Just have the guy at the radiator shop do it.

He ain’t real busy.

Thanks for the update.

Next.

Best,
Ted

20 , but it was said the chambers had an issue of some sort as well. Yes, very non forthright interaction apparently. I will not purchase from said seller.

Thanks for the report. We all kind of suspected this but it was an interesting exploration.