Janssen Sons Shotgun

Hardcase · August 19, 2009, 04:59 PM

Hey, cowboy guys, I posted this over at Gunboards, but maybe you folks will have some suggestions.

I've got a Janssen, Sons & Co. side by side, external hammer 12ga shotgun that was my dad's first shotgun just after WWII. It was used when he got it, so I imagine that some North Dakota farmer bought it new around 1900 or so for something like nine or ten bucks. I'm pretty sure that it was one of those gazillion or so Belgian shotguns that came across the pond around 1900 - well, it's definitely got Belgian proof marks.

It's a laminated barrel gun and I know the issues that surround that. However, I took the barrel down to one of the auto performance shops here in town and had them magnaflux it. The found no problems and didn't even charge me...they'd never done a gun barrel before and thought that was kind of a cool thing.

So the barrel has no obvious damage, it locks up fairly tight, has all its parts and is is good shape for a 100 year old budget shotgun. I suppose that the next trip should be to the gunsmith to have him check the visible stuff. See, I'd like to shoot the gun, not regularly, but just now and then, for fun, assuming that the gunsmith finds no problems. Which leads me to my big question: It's proofed for black powder, so where do I get paper hulled black powder shells? I don't want to load my own - I'm not interested in shooting it that much! What are my options?

arcticap · August 19, 2009, 09:09 PM

Black powder shotshells are made in various lengths.

Goex 2 3/4" shotshells are on sale:

http://www.powderinc.com/catalog/order_ammo.htm

For other sizes:

http://mashburnssafarimilitarygoods....gunshells.aspx

http://republicmetallic.com/

Not accepting orders at this time:

http://www.greatbasincartridge.com/

Hawg · August 19, 2009, 11:11 PM

Measure the chambers. They're not going to be 2 3/4. Most likely 2 1/2.

Hardcase · August 20, 2009, 08:46 AM

Correct, they are 2 1/2 inches. I visited the gunsmith yesterday evening and he said that if the magnaflux showed no problems, it was good to shoot with black powder only.

Thanks for the help.

Andy Griffith · August 26, 2009, 10:45 AM

I'd also suggest these gentlemen:

http://www.gadcustomcartridges.com/

I've dealt with them in the past and he is quite helpful and friendly.

The other option that I suggest if you are going to shoot it often, is to purchase your own brass cases and components and load them yourself. It is much cheaper and it isn't rocket science (but getting a load you like and your gun likes can be if you put the time in on it!

).

The brass hulls are much better for black because black powder will melt the plastic hulls in just a couple of firings, also you can't wash any plastic hull that has a paper base wad, and paper hulls only last 2-3 firings before tiny holes are burned through the side of the case. I think it is nearly impossible to wear out a brass hull used for black powder, unless you allow it to corrode, step on it or just damage it through careless handling.

Get the brass hulls and be happy.

Hardcase · August 26, 2009, 11:42 AM

Wow, Bernold was a little grumpy this morning, but we worked out a 2.5", 7.5 shot black powder load. I ordered a couple of boxes from him, so we'll see how it works out.

Actually, he sounds like some kind of character

Thanks for the suggestion!

August 19, 2009, 04:59 PM	#1
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Janssen Sons Shotgun Hey, cowboy guys, I posted this over at Gunboards, but maybe you folks will have some suggestions. I've got a Janssen, Sons & Co. side by side, external hammer 12ga shotgun that was my dad's first shotgun just after WWII. It was used when he got it, so I imagine that some North Dakota farmer bought it new around 1900 or so for something like nine or ten bucks. I'm pretty sure that it was one of those gazillion or so Belgian shotguns that came across the pond around 1900 - well, it's definitely got Belgian proof marks. It's a laminated barrel gun and I know the issues that surround that. However, I took the barrel down to one of the auto performance shops here in town and had them magnaflux it. The found no problems and didn't even charge me...they'd never done a gun barrel before and thought that was kind of a cool thing. So the barrel has no obvious damage, it locks up fairly tight, has all its parts and is is good shape for a 100 year old budget shotgun. I suppose that the next trip should be to the gunsmith to have him check the visible stuff. See, I'd like to shoot the gun, not regularly, but just now and then, for fun, assuming that the gunsmith finds no problems. Which leads me to my big question: It's proofed for black powder, so where do I get paper hulled black powder shells? I don't want to load my own - I'm not interested in shooting it that much! What are my options? __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

August 20, 2009, 08:46 AM	#4
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Correct, they are 2 1/2 inches. I visited the gunsmith yesterday evening and he said that if the magnaflux showed no problems, it was good to shoot with black powder only. Thanks for the help. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

August 26, 2009, 10:45 AM	#5
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I'd also suggest these gentlemen: http://www.gadcustomcartridges.com/ I've dealt with them in the past and he is quite helpful and friendly. The other option that I suggest if you are going to shoot it often, is to purchase your own brass cases and components and load them yourself. It is much cheaper and it isn't rocket science (but getting a load you like and your gun likes can be if you put the time in on it! ). The brass hulls are much better for black because black powder will melt the plastic hulls in just a couple of firings, also you can't wash any plastic hull that has a paper base wad, and paper hulls only last 2-3 firings before tiny holes are burned through the side of the case. I think it is nearly impossible to wear out a brass hull used for black powder, unless you allow it to corrode, step on it or just damage it through careless handling. Get the brass hulls and be happy. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

August 26, 2009, 11:42 AM	#6
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Wow, Bernold was a little grumpy this morning, but we worked out a 2.5", 7.5 shot black powder load. I ordered a couple of boxes from him, so we'll see how it works out. Actually, he sounds like some kind of character Thanks for the suggestion! __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

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August 19, 2009, 09:09 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Black powder shotshells are made in various lengths. Goex 2 3/4" shotshells are on sale: http://www.powderinc.com/catalog/order_ammo.htm For other sizes: http://mashburnssafarimilitarygoods....gunshells.aspx http://republicmetallic.com/ Not accepting orders at this time: http://www.greatbasincartridge.com/

August 19, 2009, 11:11 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Measure the chambers. They're not going to be 2 3/4. Most likely 2 1/2.