doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com US made Sidelock Shotguns

Over here in Realville, Larry, there is a definite advantage to a Benelli Nova for hunting in the rain.

Truly, I've seen some English keepers boxlock guns that had zero finish remaining, checkering that was worn nearly smooth, and other signs of heavy use, that were ready for their next century, even if it didn't start out with someone looking at the bits.

Quite impressive service.

Best,
Ted

Union Firearms Co. hammerless appears to be a sidelock

CZ,

There are two variants of the Colton and at least two Union SxS models also. Don't know about the early Colton or the late Union model but the two guns I have are very similar.
I had always assumed the Union SxS's were a hybrid lock. Your post got me thinking so I grabbed each (Colton & Union) and pulled a plate.

Unconventional, but a sidelock.

Colton(top) and Union F.A.(lower) doubles. I believe the Union to be a Model 22.

P_20170926_200642 by John Eurom, on Flickr


The Colton: Coil spring with inline hammers. Floating FP in frame.

P_20170926_201131 by John Eurom, on Flickr

P_20170926_201235 by John Eurom, on Flickr




Union F.A.: Much the same as the Colton but the cocking bellcrank is mounted to the lockplate also and the parts are secured with a bridle.

P_20170926_201600 by John Eurom, on Flickr

P_20170926_201657 by John Eurom, on Flickr



The mechanism is somewhat unique, wouldn't you all agree?

John

A wonderful alternative to what John E. has shown us would be seldom found English-made sidelock from Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd. known as Imperiale. Just like what John E showed us the lock mechanism was powered by a coil spring (in English lock it was dual purpose coil spring and sear spring). This made for simple, reliable and less expensive shotgun. Period adds state it came with nice Vickers steel barrels. They also made machine guns and airplanes. I would like to find one of them Imperials myself.

Added Colton and Union to the list.

L.C. Smith
Baker
Meriden
Crescent
Waverly Arms
Clark
Schneider
David Kirkwood
Galazan
Union firearms Co.
Colton

Have my grandfather's 12 gauge Elgin Arms Company side-by-side which he purchased in the mid-1920's. It is a genuine sidelock and I still use it for bird and rabbit hunting from time to time.

How about the shotguns built by John Nichols or Nichols and Lefever?

Welcome bruin. Elgin Arms Co. was a tradename used by Crescent for Fred Biffar & Co. Chicago and Strauss & Schram Chicago
More infro here
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1OxZo5Tkvx2G8eYf747QR9B5RJdN6Siu5JGIhfguSXXQ

John thanks for posting on this

Lets correct the spelling. It is Sneider.