Some years ago, I bought what was sold as a percussion double barrel shotgun, 3rd variation (whatever that meant!) at an estate auction. The condition was quite nice and I thought I would be able to flip it for a small profit but after getting it in my possession, I became sort of attached to it. It weighs about 10 pounds so a bit heavy for a small bore shotgun - it is a smoothbore. There is a simple bead at the muzzle for a sight but no rear sight or any indication there ever was one. It does not have any markings on it that I can find but, to me bears considerable resemblance to a plains rifle, ie a Hawken of the percussion gun era. It is iron mounted and the locks are a bit different in that the hammer is powered by a leaf spring (and not a V type spring) that is dovetailed into the lock plate to secure it. I would be interested to hear what you folks have to say about it. Are there any other forums out there that might be more focused on firearms of this type? Thanks for any comments!
I'm trying to upload pictures from my hard drive but can only find an option to insert with a URL. Is there a way?

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Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Try https://americanlongrifles.org/
Much more muzzleloading knowledgeable over there.

Sound like an interesting gun.

PM sent.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Thank you Raimey!

Barrels are just about 30" long.

Just a thought, although it could be a 54 Caliber Smooth Bore double rifle, is it possible it is instead a 24 Gauge Shotgun. The diameter of the 24 Ga is aproximately 0.5787402, which actually equates to a 58 caliber rifle which is the diameter of the roundballs that I use to use in my .58 ca. Hawkins rifle. Being a smooth bore you could use either shot or ball.

Also, unless it is just the angle, it appears the left barrel is out of round, like it has hit something. If this is true you would want this corrected if you planned to shoot it.

Final thought, have you checked to see if either barrel has a load in it. Over the years I have found a number of muzzleloaders with charges in the barrel. Back in the day folks left guns loaded in case they were needed. If your not sure how to check for a load let me know.

Just some thought....

WBLDon

Thanks for the reply.
My mistake, the bores measure .575" but I can't imagine why such a small bore shotgun would be so heavy and have a crescent butt and the trigger guard that it has. I would say that the gun is somewhat ponderous and would not be quick on target like a small bore shotgun would need to be. Yes, being a smoothbore, it could be loaded with both shot or a single ball but I think the weight and thickness of the barrel wall at about .10" indicate that it was meant for solid shot. There is no out of roundness of the muzzle, just a weirdness with the picture. Also, I did check to see if it was loaded and it was not.

If the barrels are sound grab some 58 Cal. roundballs, some patching, some holy black and caps and head to the range. You can always add sites. Just get it out and exercise it a bit.

Don

The crescent butt says aimed weapon to me. As does the barrel weight. If it had one barrel, I would call it a musket. Double musket, maybe?

Buck and ball, made for close range work, essentially a smooth bore double rifle with added capability of handling buckshot.

I suggest you have it rifled. JES Reboring could do that if you first remove the breech plugs.

The thickness of the steel at the muzzles says to me that the gun was built as a double ball gun. I won't use the term rifle as that suggests rifling in the bores.

Percussion doubles, intended as shotguns, just don't have that much meat in the muzzles. It can certainly be used as such, however, adding to it's versatility.

I would suggest leaving it as is.


Looks like just a little muzzle rash to me.