This double barrel shotgun percussion shotgun is engraved Wyman on the locks. The upper rib has the often found London Fine Twist marking. The rib is also decorated with a inlaid game scene with a hunter, dog, and game birds. This shotgun does have some repairs to the stock with nails used to secure a crack on the right hand lock panel. The left hand lock panel has been decorated to match. The wedge key and hooked breech allow the barrels to unhook from the tang, for easy cleaning. Trigger reach is 13-3/4 and 12-3/4", about average for most shooters. Weight is 8.5 pounds
The barrels are engraved London Fine Twist a mark of quality on the upper rib and the Damascus twist pattern is faintly visible in the gray brown patina. The barrels measure 32" from the muzzle to the rear of the breechplug. The breeches have nickel sliver bands, and the top flat has a inlaid game hunting scene. Once dismounted the bottom of the barrel has Birmingham, England view and proof marks. The bores measure nominally. 714" diameter, which is more typical of what we consider a 13 gauge today. Both bores are mostly bright with some very light scattered pitting. Both bores appear very shootable. We recommend our 13 gauge cards and wads if you want to fire this antique shotgun. Use only lead or bismuth shot, do not fire steel shot in a Damascus barrel.
Stocked in walnut the stock has some repairs to the lock panels, and the forearm has some cracks that have developed as the stock has aged. The wood at the buttplate has taken on a darker tone from being in contact with the buttplate. The upper right hand lock panel has a repaired crack using nails to secure it, the left hand side has been decorated to match. The flat top checkering displays some wear with the forearm much more worn than the wrist. The buttplate has a late percussion shape, the buttplate comb is stepped down to a point and has only faint engraving remaining. The long tang extends down the wrist. The tang bolts are not indexed correctly and this gun has been disassembled at some point in the past. Lock panels taper widest to the front to accommodate the wide breeches while still creating a slender wrist. The joint of the tang and hook, hooks up tight with no play, wear, or slack.
The stock is shaped with a rounded toe with an initial plate. The steel triggerguard has faded engraving on the bow and grip rail. The triggerguard finial is shaped with a potted plant finial. The wedge key is surrounded by oval escutcheon plates. The key is captured and drifts far enough to allow the barrels to be removed, but remains in the stock. The ramrod is a later replacement and has only a brass tip on one end, it does not have any provisions for threaded accessories.
The front action locks have a engraved border and are marked Wyman Both locks are crisp and the hammers align at the half cock and full cock positions. The nipples are original to the shogun and have been cleaned on the exterior. The threads are under-size 1/4-28 (.240-28). If modern nipples were to be fitted it would require chasing the threads in the breech with a modern hand tap. The flash fence and area around the nipples have some texture and pitting from corrosive antique percussion caps.
This double barrel shotgun is a fine piece of craftsmanship from the early nineteenth century. As with any antique we recommend that you test fire the barrels with full loads, and carefully examine them before shouldering the gun. Fine original antique shotguns should never be loaded with modern steel shot. Use lead shot for trap competition and upland game hunting. Use Bismuth non-toxic shot for ducks and geese.
