[redneckrepairs]

I am trying to find out about an old double barrell shotgun . it is damascous barrelled , and on the left " sideplate " says Nouinann Bros. , on the right sideplate it says Machine Made . Now I know that I dont have the forerunner of parazzi or anything but i would like to know a bit about this shotgun. I assume it was made as a " hardware store brand " but back then who is a likely suspect as far as maker goes lol . I realise i cant get into any value before that is identified , and the only value to me is the fact it was found in the back of my grandads guncase back when he passed in 1978 . Unfortunatly any " family history " is pretty much lost other than i think i saw it as a child and he mentioned it was the gun his dad brought to colorado when they homesteaded . Anyway thanks for any input on it . Pics may be possible if there is enough enfo to warrent the trouble lol .

[JohnBT]

Could it be Neumann Bros.? Poking around on Google turned up some info, but nothing too precise. The second entry below mentions "Machine Made".

John
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From shotgunworld.com

"According to Side by Sides of the World for Y2K, Neuman and Company were located in Liege, Belgium from about 1860 to about 1930. They were excellent quality guns and their manufacturing methods were the most modern. They used the latest techniques and the finest materials. They offered a "cane Shotgun" at one time. The guns were distributed by Hartley and Graham of NY in the 1890s and by Schoverling, Daly and Gales of NY in 1903. They offered a choice of laminated, twist or damascus barrels and engraving on their side by sides. Neuman produced nearly every type of side by side using the best designs available. Value depends a lot on condition, and how bad the buyer wants it. See http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/Neumann_Bros_shotgun for a range of value. You can also google Neumann Brothers Shotgun and find additional information."


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(Here's an interesting Q&A from oldguns.net) OKAY THE ANSWER IS A STUPID JOKE, just so you don't have a heart attack. John

# 491 - Shotgun- Neumann Brothers
4/1/97
Rich - RLS1077@aol.com


Maker Model Caliber Barrel Length Finish Serial Number
Neumann Bros External Hammers - Side By Side Shotgun 12 Gauge 28 Inches Blue 99XX

On left side of receiver, just below and forward of the hammer, the name "Neumann Bros" is present. On the right side of the receiver the words "Machine Made" are present. On the top of the rib in between the barrels the words "Belgium Damascus Finish" are present. On the left barrel, about 4 inches from the breech, the words "Choke Bore" are present. Finally, on the bottom of the pistol grip type stock (where you would sometimes find a brass cap), there is a silver inlaid badge (no writing is visible)

I have learned that allot of these type of shotguns were imported at the turn of the century and sold under private label names. Is this gun, as described, one of these imports? It appears to be in remarkably good condition with checkered stock and forearm in fine condition. Is there any significance to the inlaid silver badge? Is it possible this gun belonged to a law enforcement agency? How old is this gun and what do you think the value of the gun is as described? Thank you for your help and assistance.

Answer:
Rich- This company was run by Alfred E. Neumann, his brother Darryl Neumann, and his other brother Darryl Neumann. They imported top quality English shotguns made by Purdy, Lancaster, Holland and Holland and the like. Unable to sell these at high prices, they removed the English markings and put on fake Belgian markings and sold them through retail outlets like Sears and others for the same prices as real Belgian shotguns. The federal government disliked this use of fake markings, and felt that the guns shot so much better that they were a threat to endangered species which couldn't be harmed by the inferior, real, Belgian guns. Therefore the BATF raided Neumann Brothers headquarters in New York on April 1, 1912 and seized their inventory and put them out of business. The BATF then put small badge insignias in the stocks to commerate their triumph over evil-doers, and awarded them as trophies to their agents. As a result these old shotguns are prized by collectors and you should be able to get $5,000 to $10,000 for it. (Hey, how about sending us a couple bucks when you sell it!). Well, maybe not. Just another old cheap import wallhanger, with a fancy inlay ("escutcheon") to give it some class. Sorry, but being April 1st we wanted to see if anybody actually reads this stuff anymore... John and Marc
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[redneckrepairs]

I do belive that is it , on the rib in the general area of the chambers it does say Belgium Lamanated steel . Its hard to read some of the inscriptions due to " patina " ( we rednecks call it rust ) that i have made no attempt to clean off at this point .

Damm who knows *** it is after reading the second post LOL it does look a lot higher quality than i really suspected tho . Since knowing my family i suspect grt. grandad won it in a drunken poker game LOL

Still going to be a wall hanger for me , just was/am curious about the old dear .

Btw its " nestmate " is a fairly nice Colt SAA that shows use but not a lot of abuse ( all things considered ) that is a " transitional " which is pre 1900 frame with smokeless fixtures . Both may well make an intresting early colorado shadowbox