Muzzle loading percussion 12 gauge double barrel

**4V50 Gary** · July 30, 2014, 07:25 PM

Need help ID'ing this.

I started cleaning an unmarked 34" long muzzle loading 12 gauge percussion fired double barrel the other day. It has "London Twisted" on the top rib, one piece stock (meaning the foreend isn't separate), engraved german silver nose, two gold wedding bands on each barrel.

There really is nothing special about this neglected and beat up piece. Its provenance is about the only thing significant because it belonged to the fellow who built the trading post. From what I could find on the net, it is English made for export. Here's some images.

Three hours was spent on cleaning the left barrel. It's the upper one in this image in white metal of a hunting scene:
IMG_0186%20(640x273).jpg

When the barrels were removed from the stock, this is what was underneath. I didn't even suspect they were damascus steel as it was so black when I started.
IMG_0187%20(640x480).jpg

Here are some proof marks.
IMG_0190%20(640x558).jpg

**4V50 Gary** · July 30, 2014, 07:26 PM

You can see the hooks for the breech in this image. Here are some marks on near the breech (underside). IMG_0193%20(640x480).jpg

Will get more images when I go back to the museum.

**4V50 Gary** · August 6, 2014, 04:31 PM

Here's more images

IMG_0202%20(640x480).jpg

This is a full length photo of the double barrel itself:

IMG_0197%20(640x480).jpg

IMG_0200%20(640x480).jpg

**4V50 Gary** · August 6, 2014, 04:32 PM

IMG_0205%20(480x640).jpg

IMG_0206%20(480x640).jpg

IMG_0203%20(640x480).jpg

**4V50 Gary** · August 6, 2014, 04:33 PM

Pewter nose

IMG_0207%20(480x640).jpg

James K · August 6, 2014, 06:53 PM

I am afraid I can't tell you any more than you know already. It is English, and of moderately good quality, but nothing special.

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · August 6, 2014, 08:20 PM

Agree. The only thing special about it is it belonged to the builder of Francisco's Fort, Col. John Francisco. The "colonel" was an honorific title and I'm not sure how that came about. His horn, shot flask and hunting bag are in the collection and when I'm done working on the double barrel, it will be displayed along with a huge photograph of the man.

ETA: Found a video link to the place on U-Toob. Sorry I can't imbed. Just not smart enough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bil0XKjmPe0

James K · August 7, 2014, 12:12 PM

I once was in a small local museum in which a prized exhibit was a rifle belonging to a pioneer who died in 1840. The man had a reputation for being very progressive and his ownership of an 1873 trapdoor Springfield certainly proved that correct.

Jim

CowTowner · August 7, 2014, 08:19 PM

He certainly was a forward thinking man!

July 30, 2014, 07:25 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	Muzzle loading percussion 12 gauge double barrel Need help ID'ing this. I started cleaning an unmarked 34" long muzzle loading 12 gauge percussion fired double barrel the other day. It has "London Twisted" on the top rib, one piece stock (meaning the foreend isn't separate), engraved german silver nose, two gold wedding bands on each barrel. There really is nothing special about this neglected and beat up piece. Its provenance is about the only thing significant because it belonged to the fellow who built the trading post. From what I could find on the net, it is English made for export. Here's some images. Three hours was spent on cleaning the left barrel. It's the upper one in this image in white metal of a hunting scene: IMG_0186%20(640x273).jpg When the barrels were removed from the stock, this is what was underneath. I didn't even suspect they were damascus steel as it was so black when I started. IMG_0187%20(640x480).jpg Here are some proof marks. IMG_0190%20(640x558).jpg __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 30, 2014, 07:26 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	You can see the hooks for the breech in this image. Here are some marks on near the breech (underside). IMG_0193%20(640x480).jpg Will get more images when I go back to the museum. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 6, 2014, 04:31 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	Here's more images IMG_0202%20(640x480).jpg This is a full length photo of the double barrel itself: IMG_0197%20(640x480).jpg IMG_0200%20(640x480).jpg __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 6, 2014, 04:32 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	IMG_0205%20(480x640).jpg IMG_0206%20(480x640).jpg IMG_0203%20(640x480).jpg __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 6, 2014, 04:33 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	Pewter nose IMG_0207%20(480x640).jpg __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 6, 2014, 06:53 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I am afraid I can't tell you any more than you know already. It is English, and of moderately good quality, but nothing special. Jim

August 6, 2014, 08:20 PM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	Agree. The only thing special about it is it belonged to the builder of Francisco's Fort, Col. John Francisco. The "colonel" was an honorific title and I'm not sure how that came about. His horn, shot flask and hunting bag are in the collection and when I'm done working on the double barrel, it will be displayed along with a huge photograph of the man. ETA: Found a video link to the place on U-Toob. Sorry I can't imbed. Just not smart enough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bil0XKjmPe0 __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 7, 2014, 12:12 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I once was in a small local museum in which a prized exhibit was a rifle belonging to a pioneer who died in 1840. The man had a reputation for being very progressive and his ownership of an 1873 trapdoor Springfield certainly proved that correct. Jim

August 7, 2014, 08:19 PM	#9
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	He certainly was a forward thinking man! __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy