This reconverted double flintlock shotgun is stocked in walnut. The shotgun appears to have seen considerable use and was originally flintlock, converted to percussion, and has been converted back to flintlock. The Damascus barrels are 30-1/2" and have aged to a dark brown. The breech of the barrels is decorated with inlaid vine designs along the rear third of the barrel. The locks have been reconverted to flintlock with a mixture of Chambers and L&R parts. The 13-1/4" and 12-1/2" trigger reach should fit today's average shooter quite well. The weight is 6.8 pounds.
The 28 gauge barrels are 30-1/2" including the breech. The bores measure . 560/565" which is just larger than a modern 28 gauge, and both bores are dark with some visible pitting over the full length, This shotgun has been in recent service. When returning any antique to service we highly recommend firing it remotely with your maximum charge to prove the barrels safe, before shooting it yourself. The wire twist pattern is faintly visible in the dark brown finish over the length of the barrel. The muzzle end of the barrel is also decorated with inlaid silver designs around the front sight. The breech end of the barrel is inlaid with silver vine designs and the rib is signed Staeth A Wertheim. The upper rib has a unfilled blind hole 6-1/2" ahead of the breech. The ramrod pipes are mismatched with one brass and one steel.
The straight grip stock has Germanic step at the wrist and the triggerguard has a very wide Germanic bow with offset grip rail with spoon. The walnut stock is fitted with a brass buttplate. This wide buttplate is nearly flat, comfortable with full loads. The stock has been sanded with visible sanding lines in the finish and only very faint traces of the checkering on the wrist remain. The stock has some visible repairs with a section of wood ahead of the right lock nailed and glued. The edge of the forearm and forend also have some chips of wood missing. All the furniture stands proud of the stock from sanding and wood shrinkage. The forend has a single wedge key retaining the barrel. The key allows for quick disassembly for cleaning. On double flintlock guns always place the locks at half cock and close the frizzen to prevent scuffing the breech when lifting the barrels from the stock. Simply withdraw the ramrod, press out the key with firm thumb pressure, and lift the muzzle end, to dismount the barrels for easy cleaning. Place a wet cleaning patch on a cleaning jag. Push the air out, and draw the water in, as you pump the ramrod the full length of each barrel, a few times. Change the water, and the patch. When the patch comes out clean, you are ready to wipe the bores dry with a water displacing oil. Never insert a dry patch. If you used warm water, the warm barrels will dry quickly. The pointed thumbnail tang is a Germanic style. The stock has no ramrod entry pipe. The wooden ramrod is fitted with a antique style card puller and flared tip for loading.
The round faced locks have been reconverted to flintlock with small Queen Anne flint cocks, and L&R John Bailes pans, frizzens and frizzen springs. The right hand lock has about 1/4" of play before the cock lifts the mainspring. The flint cocks no longer align at the half cock or full cock positions. Both locks will easily fire from the half cock position. The breeches have been plugged from the reconversion to flintlock. The vent on the right hand lock is below center, while the left hand lock is centered. We recommend a 3/4" square English flint for use with these locks.
This 28 gauge double barrel flintlock shotgun has reconverted flintlocks. The bores are dark with visible pitting. The stock has been sanded with some visible repairs. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
