The following list will help experts in various shooting/collecting disciplines identify your firearms' origins, dates, history and, in some cases, value. Please note that without a gun in hand, any identification is subject to error and valuations should be used as guidelines only until an actual inspection of the piece by a qualified expert. Any recommendations regarded to shootability of a gun in question are to be regarded as guidelines only and no antique gun should be shot without an inspection by a qualified gunsmith.
Please fill in to the best of your ability.
Maker:
Serial number with last 3 digits replaced with XXX:
Caliber or Gauge:
Barrel Length:
Have barrels been cut:
Are there extra barrel sets with the gun:
Patent dates:
(if any)
Choke(s):
(if known)
Action type:
(pump, single shot, double rifle, etc)
If a double gun is it a boxlock, sidelock, or backaction:
(ie. L.C Smith is a sidelock, a Parker is a boxlock. Back action locks have plates that extend rearward from the hammers)
Exposed hammers or hammerless?
Model:
(if known)
City/Country of manufacture:
(if known)
How/when acquired:
Price:
(optional)
Type of butt stock:
(straight, pistol-grip, round knob, etc)
Type of forend:
(splinter, beavertail, semi-beavertail, etc.)
Proofmarks:
(symbols stamped on barrels/actions of European guns -- often consist of crowns, numbers, arrows, etc.
describe and list locations)
Exact barrel and rib markings including punctuation and location on barrel/rib:
Exact words and markings on the action including punctuation and location on the action:
Buttplate:
(recoil pad, horn, skelaton, metal, etc.)
Name on recoil pad:
(ie. Pachmyer White Line, etc.)
Checkering pattern:
(if any)
Checkering lines per inch:
(how many rows of checkering per inch -- usually about 18-24)
Type of wood:
(Claro or Circissian walnut, etc. if known or just describe... light, with contrasting dark streaks, fine grain, etc.)
Inlays in wood and location:
(if any)
Engraving: (describe pattern, ie. fine scrollwork, deep cut oak leaves, gamebirds, dogs, etc. and where scenes are engraved -- ie. dog pointing at pheasant on left sideplate, flying quail on right sideplate, initials ABC on bottom in front of triggerguard, etc.)
Percentage engraving:
(how much of the metal on the action is covered with engraving. Are barrels engraved at all especially near muzzle or breech.)
Inlays in metal and location:
(ie. Gold woodcock inlaid on left sideplate, gold wire band at breech)
Any engine-turning on interior metal parts or breech-faces, etc:
(do not disassemble gun... if visible list, if not visible, do not bother looking)
Rib:
(ie. raised and vented, engraving, etc.)
Sights:
(ie. Ivory bead(s), Express Rifle Sights, etc):
Trigger(s):
Has any part of the gun been refinished:
(reblued, restored, etc.)
Who did the restoration work:
(if known)
Are all parts original:
(if known)
Original finish on action, barrels, stock:
(ie. Case-colored action, blue barrels and oil-finish stock)
Current finish on action, barrels, stock:
(ie. 20% Case-colors rest of action shiny, blue barrels turning brown and oil-finish stock with 80% original finish)
Any rust:
(location)
Any rust with pits:
(location)
Are insides of barrels pitted or shiny:
Are the barrels damascus:
(look for swirling patterns on the barrels or the words twist, damascus, laminated steel, etc. on the rib.)
Are barrels tight:
Type of latch mechanism:
(top lever, under-lever, lifter, etc.)
Is stock cracked:
(describe crack if yes)
Is checkering sharp:
Is there a forend latch:
Do the screws on the action all line up with each-other:
Do you have original paperwork:
(boxes, hangtags, receipts, etc.)
Is it cased:
(if yes describe case)
Any special features you can identify:
Comments: