Double Barrel Shotgun.. with pictures.. maybe French?

Allen C · March 9, 2012, 11:31 PM

Looking for any information on caliber, age/year made, make, model & value.

Thanks

2012-03-09_21-37-59_976.jpg

2012-03-09_21-37-55_803.jpg

gun1.jpg

zippy13 · March 10, 2012, 01:32 AM

Yes, it's French, and, as you already known, proofed at St. Etienne. IINM, the PJ under a crown marks the definitive proof with smokeless powder to the "J" standards (pressure) used around 1896-1914.

oneounceload · March 10, 2012, 09:35 AM

65 is the chamber in mm, making it a 2.5" chamber
the 17 is he bore dimension in mm, making it .669 - which should be a 16 gauge

What other markings are there?

Allen C · March 10, 2012, 10:32 AM

55t i think on several parts

Allen C · March 10, 2012, 10:35 AM

would you shoot 16 ga shells that could be bought anywhere or would they need to be a certain type

zippy13 · March 10, 2012, 11:33 AM

Not unless I knew what the proofing standards were back in 1896 and that the specific gun was in safe operating condition. You may not want to use a modern heavy load, but something that's lower pressure and the correct length (2-1/2").

Some food for thought: about the markings, if a gun maker is proud of his work, he'll want to put his name prominently on the product.

PetahW · March 10, 2012, 01:04 PM

[would you shoot 16 ga shells that could be bought anywhere or would they need to be a certain type]

No, NOT just "any" 16ga shotshell should be fired in those chambers.

Most "any" 16ga shotshells available TODAY have a 2-3/4" (70mm) FIRED length - which although will fit into the much shorter 2-1/2" (65mm) chamber of your shotgun before it's fired - and if a shell too long for the chamber is fired in it, the opened crimp will lie in the forcing cone(s), partially obstructing the passage of the shot charge, coincidentally raising pressures.

Short, 65mm ( 2-1/2" or 2-9/16") shotshells should be the only ammo fired, provided a qualified gunsmith has first inspected the gun's wear factors & declared it to be safe to shoot.
Proper, low-powered ammo is currently available from RST and PolyWad (google).

.

oneounceload · March 10, 2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Proper, low-powered ammo is currently available from RST and PolyWad (google).

That's AFTER a good exam by a smith who knows these guns. maybe it is just the lighting, but the barrels had a patina that looked like Damascus - if so, an even more thorough exam is required before firing

PetahW · March 11, 2012, 09:19 AM

Is there an echo in here ? .

.

Hunter Customs · March 11, 2012, 10:38 AM

PetahW, very sound advice.

Also something to keep in mind, when the longer shells are fired in the short chamber guns the higher pressure can rupture the barrel, the rupture takes place in most cases about 12 to 14 inches from the breech.
That distance is most likely where the support hand will be.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

zippy13 · March 11, 2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Is there an echo in here ? .

.

Seems to be.

Allen C · March 11, 2012, 12:55 PM

Thank you all for the info but I don't know of any reputable gunsmiths. I live in south Alabama 36420 any recommendations, also any idea of the value of this gun.

oneounceload · March 11, 2012, 01:01 PM

You might ask about good gunsmiths over at www.doublegunshop.com, a forum dedicated to double guns

March 9, 2012, 11:31 PM	#1
Allen C Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2012 Posts: 4	Double Barrel Shotgun.. with pictures.. maybe French? Looking for any information on caliber, age/year made, make, model & value. Thanks 2012-03-09_21-37-59_976.jpg 2012-03-09_21-37-55_803.jpg gun1.jpg __________________ Allen

March 10, 2012, 10:32 AM	#4
Allen C Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2012 Posts: 4	55t i think on several parts __________________ Allen

March 10, 2012, 10:35 AM	#5
Allen C Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2012 Posts: 4	would you shoot 16 ga shells that could be bought anywhere or would they need to be a certain type __________________ Allen

March 10, 2012, 01:04 PM	#7
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	[would you shoot 16 ga shells that could be bought anywhere or would they need to be a certain type] No, NOT just "any" 16ga shotshell should be fired in those chambers. Most "any" 16ga shotshells available TODAY have a 2-3/4" (70mm) FIRED length - which although will fit into the much shorter 2-1/2" (65mm) chamber of your shotgun before it's fired - and if a shell too long for the chamber is fired in it, the opened crimp will lie in the forcing cone(s), partially obstructing the passage of the shot charge, coincidentally raising pressures. Short, 65mm ( 2-1/2" or 2-9/16") shotshells should be the only ammo fired, provided a qualified gunsmith has first inspected the gun's wear factors & declared it to be safe to shoot. Proper, low-powered ammo is currently available from RST and PolyWad (google). . Last edited by PetahW; March 11, 2012 at 09:18 AM.

March 11, 2012, 09:19 AM	#9
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Is there an echo in here ? . . .

March 10, 2012, 01:32 AM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Yes, it's French, and, as you already known, proofed at St. Etienne. IINM, the PJ under a crown marks the definitive proof with smokeless powder to the "J" standards (pressure) used around 1896-1914.

March 10, 2012, 09:35 AM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	65 is the chamber in mm, making it a 2.5" chamber the 17 is he bore dimension in mm, making it .669 - which should be a 16 gauge What other markings are there?

March 10, 2012, 11:33 AM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Not unless I knew what the proofing standards were back in 1896 and that the specific gun was in safe operating condition. You may not want to use a modern heavy load, but something that's lower pressure and the correct length (2-1/2"). Some food for thought: about the markings, if a gun maker is proud of his work, he'll want to put his name prominently on the product.

March 11, 2012, 10:38 AM	#10
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	PetahW, very sound advice. Also something to keep in mind, when the longer shells are fired in the short chamber guns the higher pressure can rupture the barrel, the rupture takes place in most cases about 12 to 14 inches from the breech. That distance is most likely where the support hand will be. Best Regards Bob Hunter

March 11, 2012, 12:55 PM	#12
Allen C Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2012 Posts: 4	Thank you all for the info but I don't know of any reputable gunsmiths. I live in south Alabama 36420 any recommendations, also any idea of the value of this gun. __________________ Allen

March 11, 2012, 01:01 PM	#13
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You might ask about good gunsmiths over at www.doublegunshop.com, a forum dedicated to double guns