doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J. D. Dougall

I have purchased a J. D. Dougall Shot Gun. I am looking for information on how to get it appraised. Below is a like to pics of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv194/dwhiteley/

Semper Fi
Dustin

Dustin: That's a lovely Scottish sidelever hammergun from maybe about 1880, in pretty nice shape from what I can see. A great deal depends on the barrels ... how well they've been cared for (pitting in the bores) and whether they've been messed with in modern times ("polished" to remove said pitting, which cuts out metal and can render a gun unsafe to shoot). It looks to have been built as a lighter-weight game gun, which means the barrel walls may have been somewhat thin to start with. Don't try to fire it until a specialist looks it over -- many qualified gunsmiths can be found here.

As to appraisal and value, condition is very important and will make a difference of hundreds of dollars or more. If you can take it to one of the dealers who makes a market in this kind of collectible gun, particularly if you are considering selling it, he will be able to give you a pretty good idea of its market value ... remember, though, that like all things, it has a wholesale value and a retail value. A weekend visiting websites, reading and looking at photos, will also teach you a great deal. Congratulations on the new gun. TT

Get that nice gun to an experienced gunsmith who works on old Brit guns. There are issues here that need to be lokked at.

What kind of issues do you think I have?

Just so everyone knows. I do not plan on firing this weapon.
Thanks for the advise.

Your gun is interesting,but it was not made by J.D.Dougall.It bears Birmingham Blackpowder proof marks, pre 1900. The letters L&S stamped on the lower rib are the makers identification marks.The maker was most likely; Leonard and Son, gun and pistol maker,[1866-1970]. 89 Aston Street,1866-1873,14 Whittall Street,1874-1884,131 Steelhouse lane,1897 -1900.Various other locations after 1900.
The gun also carries the manufacturing identification #5 which indicates that it was one of a batch of at least 5 similar guns being produced at the same time. Leonard had agood reputation. Leonard was [or at least the name] was active until circa 1970.As recommended by others a complete inspection and report as to condition by a competent gunsmith is adviseable. [ie:the mis-aligned screw heads is a clear indication that some incompetent has meddled with this gun in the past].

Why the heck not??? Listen, if the barrel wall thickness is adequate, the gun is tight on the face, the ribs are tight, and the lockwork is in good shape, by all means shoot it...with proper ammunition of course. There are plenty of recipes out there to keep pressures below 5000 psi using 2 3/4" hulls. I suggest sending the gun to a guy like Dewey Vicknair, JJ Perodeau, Kirk Merrington, etc. They will steer you straight.
By the way......very nice Dougall! Pretty stinkin cool with the nice sidelever, when it comes to Dougalls, I really like the Dougall Lockfast action, extremely cool and very strong.

Roy, Thanks

But it does have J.D Dougall marking all over it.
It is stamped on the top of the barrel. And the side near the lever to break it down?

Dustin, You really shoot this gun,if it is,or can be made shootable. I don't like the looks of the corrosion around the extractors,and the hook. A competent,experienced smith will tell you all you need to know,and it should not cost that much. Justin

Leonard & Son would have engraved the gun as per the instructions given by Dougal.Leonard was a prolific supplier of guns and rifles to the trade,including such names as W.R.Pape,W.J.Jeffery and Daniel Fraser.Douglas Tate,s book,"Birmingham Gunmakers", details the history and business connections of the Leonard family of gunmakers.