Old double damascus barrel shotgun

ptbrophy · April 29, 2008, 10:46 AM

I recently came upon a old double barrel shotgun.It has two hammers and two triggers and it appears to be complete.
On the side od the gun I found the lettering CHATH-- ARMs co.Also is the name Belgium,on both the barrel and reciever.On top of the barrel is the following. fine lamina---steel.The barrels appear to be twisted,and on the underside of the pistol grip style stock is a silver colored shield shape inlay.
Does anyone know what this is ,and what it may be worth?

James K · April 29, 2008, 12:57 PM

I can't fill out the name, but it really isn't important, as the name was probably what an importer wanted put on. Those Belgian doubles were imported by the ton and were made to a price. Laminated steel is a variation of Damascus. The barrel is not made from strips of iron and steel twisted together, as is Damascus, but instead is built up from wrapped and overlapping plates, welded together. It has the same problems as Damascus, namely being inherently weak and subject to internal corrosion over the years.

Those guns are still common, and have no collector value. I strongly recommend against firing the gun, no matter how good it may look. Even black powder shells could be too much for the old gun. It is a wall hanger.

Jim

ptbrophy · April 29, 2008, 02:29 PM

Thanks Jim,
I would never consider firing this thing,as it was bought as a wall hanger.I did want to know what it was,and thought I would ask.
I had no visions of any value,other than as a wall hanger,but its always nice to know what you got.Again ,Thanks.

J F Cooper · April 29, 2008, 03:23 PM

It's liktly a Chatham Arms Co, imported by Folsom Arms Co, about 1890 to 1910..JFC

April 29, 2008, 10:46 AM	#1
ptbrophy Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 20	Old double damascus barrel shotgun I recently came upon a old double barrel shotgun.It has two hammers and two triggers and it appears to be complete. On the side od the gun I found the lettering CHATH-- ARMs co.Also is the name Belgium,on both the barrel and reciever.On top of the barrel is the following. fine lamina---steel.The barrels appear to be twisted,and on the underside of the pistol grip style stock is a silver colored shield shape inlay. Does anyone know what this is ,and what it may be worth?

April 29, 2008, 03:23 PM	#4
J F Cooper Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2007 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 125	Chatham Arms Co. It's liktly a Chatham Arms Co, imported by Folsom Arms Co, about 1890 to 1910..JFC

April 29, 2008, 12:57 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I can't fill out the name, but it really isn't important, as the name was probably what an importer wanted put on. Those Belgian doubles were imported by the ton and were made to a price. Laminated steel is a variation of Damascus. The barrel is not made from strips of iron and steel twisted together, as is Damascus, but instead is built up from wrapped and overlapping plates, welded together. It has the same problems as Damascus, namely being inherently weak and subject to internal corrosion over the years. Those guns are still common, and have no collector value. I strongly recommend against firing the gun, no matter how good it may look. Even black powder shells could be too much for the old gun. It is a wall hanger. Jim

April 29, 2008, 02:29 PM	#3
ptbrophy Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 20	Thanks Jim, I would never consider firing this thing,as it was bought as a wall hanger.I did want to know what it was,and thought I would ask. I had no visions of any value,other than as a wall hanger,but its always nice to know what you got.Again ,Thanks.