The trouble lies here in that my Uncle said that my Grandmother told him while describing my Grandfather's shotgun, a Meriden, "Oh, you mean that old black thing in the basement"
Well used, broken, then repaired and then broken again they were worn out, still priceless under layer upon layer of grease and dirt but used and used hard by men just trying to put food on the table.
Then their widows not knowing put them out for Tuesday's garbage pick up.
All the best