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Lee Lapin · September 8, 2009, 09:04 AM

These days, 8 gauges are normally used in industrial applications to clean out slag in furnaces, boilers etc. See http://www.remington.com/products/am...ammunition.asp . You, ummm, WON'T be wanting to shoot these from the shoulder, I promise, even if you were to buy some. The industrial guns are on stands, like cannons. And modern ammo might well not be/probably isn't safe for the old gun, as it was almost certainly made to be used with black powder and not modern smokeless.

The last couple decades of the 19th Century were a time of great change in the shotgun world, in terms of both guns and shells. Guns went from twist barrels to fluid steel, choke boring had appeared in the late 1870's, and external hammer double guns became hammerless. Self contained shot shells went from brass hulls to paper hulls. In 1880 the 10 gauge rivaled the 12 gauge as an all-around gauge, and the 8 gauge was fairly popular for waterfowl hunting. The 16 gauge was the specialized upland gauge, and the 20 was regarded as something of a curiosity. 10 gauge shells were loaded with 1 1/4 ounces of shot, and 12 gauge shells with 1 ounce.

As time passed and the 19th Century became the 20th Century, both guns and shot shells became more efficient, and the smaller gauges made great inroads on the popularity of the large gauges. By the 1890's the 12 gauge had begun to replace the 10 gauge as the all-around gauge, and by 1900 the 12 gauge was firmly in first place. -- http://www.chuckhawks.com/intro_gauges.htm

How much it's worth depends on what company made it and what condition it's in. It's worth far more than mere $$$ as an heirloom though, IMHO...

lpl

September 8, 2009, 09:04 AM	#3
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	These days, 8 gauges are normally used in industrial applications to clean out slag in furnaces, boilers etc. See http://www.remington.com/products/am...ammunition.asp . You, ummm, WON'T be wanting to shoot these from the shoulder, I promise, even if you were to buy some. The industrial guns are on stands, like cannons. And modern ammo might well not be/probably isn't safe for the old gun, as it was almost certainly made to be used with black powder and not modern smokeless. The last couple decades of the 19th Century were a time of great change in the shotgun world, in terms of both guns and shells. Guns went from twist barrels to fluid steel, choke boring had appeared in the late 1870's, and external hammer double guns became hammerless. Self contained shot shells went from brass hulls to paper hulls. In 1880 the 10 gauge rivaled the 12 gauge as an all-around gauge, and the 8 gauge was fairly popular for waterfowl hunting. The 16 gauge was the specialized upland gauge, and the 20 was regarded as something of a curiosity. 10 gauge shells were loaded with 1 1/4 ounces of shot, and 12 gauge shells with 1 ounce. As time passed and the 19th Century became the 20th Century, both guns and shot shells became more efficient, and the smaller gauges made great inroads on the popularity of the large gauges. By the 1890's the 12 gauge had begun to replace the 10 gauge as the all-around gauge, and by 1900 the 12 gauge was firmly in first place. -- http://www.chuckhawks.com/intro_gauges.htm How much it's worth depends on what company made it and what condition it's in. It's worth far more than mere $$$ as an heirloom though, IMHO... lpl __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.