[dlon21]

I have this shotgun that I'm planning on taking to a gunsmith to be taken apart, inspected and looked over. If he thinks the gun looks OK, then I'm going to shoot it sometime. It has 20'' barrels that look nice on the inside. Damascus barrels of course. I've been warned by some against using such guns?

If it not up to par, I'll just put it up on a wall somewhere in my apartment ;) It's got really nice engraving with a lot of the original gold wash still intact. Anyone here shoot this type of gun?

// Daniel

[TMM]

This is where i would put a "This thread is useless without pics!" picture...

a Damascus barreled gun is a piece of artwork to me. seen a couple, very nice to look at. If it's shootable, have fun trying it out!

tmm

[2RCO]

Pass on shooting the Damascus. It could possibly explode and ruin the gun and your day.

[dlon21]

Here are some photos.

[dlon21]

That's all.

[Ginormous]

Damascus steel is for show, not go, in my book.

Others may disagree, but I personally wouldn't shoot it. Nice shotgun though.

[Bezoar]

its strange really. Ive seen people pay 8-900 for a 2 pound lump of period damascus steel to use for a custom gun barrel. Seen period damascus barrels going for 5-900 each to get turned into muzzleloaders.

[Pancho]

dlon, Those are nice pictures of an even nicer shotgun. As a regular at the national shoot at Friendship Indiana I've seen plenty of competitors use old damascus shotguns. If you don't get much of an answer on this forum you might try again on the shotgun forum. Shotgun people are a breed apart whether it be muzzleloading or modern.

[Ginormous]

The old saying about Damascus steel shotguns is that if the shotgun has good quality barrels, it's probably very valuable, and you won't want to shoot it. If the shotgun has poor quality Damascus barrels, and many do, you don't want to shoot it.

That may not be "much of an answer", but it holds a measure of truth. In the end, and after consulting with a qualified and knowledgeable gunsmith on the piece, it's up to you whether you hold this gun up to your face, look down the barrels, and pull the trigger.

[BCRider]

I saw a fellow at one of the local cowboy action events that was using a SxS shotgun that was over 100 years old. But he was using period correct black powder shells. If you can find such beasts and if the smith gives the barrels a clean bill of health then some BP shells could be an answer.

EDIT- Oops, didn't notice that it was a percussion shottie. In that case obviously you're looking at BP only.

[dlon21]

It's not a very valuable weapon to ruin; should it explode or get destroyed in some way. Think I paid 350- 400 for it. I don't know how common these guns are anyway. I don't know if it was made as a coach gun to start with either; it's not some hack job in any way.

I think there's some guy here on this forum or on thefiringline that posted a very nice video on Youtube showing the loading sequence and cleaning. Looked like a lot of fun shooting! And a big BOOOM:D

// Daniel.


PS: The marking on the barrels says: London fine stubb twist. This gives a clue of the material used in the barrels, right? Old horseshoe nails and such I guess?

[alemonkey]

If you do shoot it, I'd do it remotely with a long string the first few times, just to be safe. And don't take it to just any gunsmith. Take it to someone who really knows old guns.

[dlon21]

And going to try it out this Friday of all goes as planned. Poured in a light load, it will be interesting to shoot it. Will be filming it and will put it on youtube as well =) If I survive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j0I_oXjE6g

That's an old clip of Rem.44 shooting.

// Daniel

[Ginormous]

No remotely fired proof test first?

Here, let me loan you my helmet:

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=105025&stc=1&d=1252457601

Be safe!

[dlon21]

''No remotely fired proof test first?''

I had a BP-gunsmith check it out, that's good enough for me ;)

I'll probably not fire the first shot right next to my head though. Have to find a piece of cardboard or something to shoot at.

[Ginormous]

Cool, excellent idea to have a gunsmith examine that shottie. In that case, have fun! Can't wait for the video(s), and load data you used.

[dlon21]

Yeah, he changed the nipples and looked it over and said ''OK''. Loaded it with 60gr FFG and copper plated BB's, but 50 % more than lead shot of course.

[Das Jaeger]

is just that.
I grew up shooting Parker Hales , Demascus Shotguns . As long as your not using high brass loads , most will be fine to shoot , today .

Jaeger

[Ginormous]

Sound like your are well protected from the zombies for the night. :D

No chance of shooting lead or bismuth shot instead of copper plated steel BB's tomorrow I guess? That would almost certainly be easier on your barrels than your intended load.

[dlon21]

That's cool, Jaeger. Really neat patterns the barrels get from how they are made.

That's all I have, I'd have used lead otherwise. Didn't feel like buying a 20 pound bag of lead from Staffans Vapen just to try this gun out :D That's all he had. I won't be using this gun a lot anyways, just cool to try it out once or twice!

[BHP FAN]

My brother shoots his with 55gr.of 2f.

[dlon21]

And it was really fun. Went all the way up to 75-80 gr of 2F. So now I know it's safe to shoot. Range perhaps 10 meters. Second clip is my old man shooting from the hip :barf: The expression on his face says he liked it.:evil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmBt21N8cII
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suwoh3m__vY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHoZmOupu_k

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/dlon21/?action=view&current=P9110360.jpg

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/dlon21/?action=view&current=P9110359.jpg

[Ginormous]

Great videos. :)

[arcticap]

There was a loud healthy report when firing it and good performance too.
Nice job loading it and thanks for sharing the video with us. :)

[dlon21]

You're welcome. Had a lot of fun! But now I want another one! Perhaps 10 or 8 gauge next time. They are inexpensive, that's really nice.

[dlon21]

Ginormous;

Guess you were right. I think I can see some wear at the muzzle already, after maybe 20 rounds fired in each tube. I've learned a new lesson today; listen to those who know more than me :)

[Das Jaeger]

stop shooting the wrong ammo out of it then , was never made to be shootin plated anything , use the softest lead you can get and keep those loads down to 60 if you want a gun or face left :D
I think I remember your gunsmith telling you about the charge max already, but how he ever talked you into shooting plated shot :banghead: ..He should have known better . Or was that you in your infinate wisdom to over think this :D

Cheers , great video , keep um light though , LIGHTER than what you were shooting .

Jaeger

[dlon21]

Can't blame my gunsmith for this, only myself :rolleyes: I thought copper plated would'nt hurt any. Guessed wrong!

[Ginormous]

Crap dlon21, I hate to hear that. Most likely you only went from improved cylinder to a cylinder bores. :)

This may be a case where softer Damascus steel barrels were a good thing.

Can you compare the shot patterns from the first shot to the last shot, or some variation thereof? Any difference that you can tell?

[dlon21]

Took a couple of photos of the muzzle. It doesn't look bad to me. I guess this gun was not made as a coach gun, it was sawn off at some time? These were built sometime between 1850-1860 I think, when did chokes appear? 1875? So even if this had an Improved choke, it would've disappeared.

Ginormous, no I haven't even thought of checking the difference of spread now from the first shot. Does this wear at the muzzle have any effect on the spread?

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/dlon21/?action=view&current=P9130366.jpg
http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/dlon21/?action=view&current=P9130365.jpg
http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/dlon21/?action=view&current=P9130364.jpg

[Ginormous]

Dlon, I have no idea when shotgun chokes were first devised. That's a good question for sure and one someone will hopefully answer for you shortly.

If the barrels were shortened at some point, likely much or all of the choke (if any existed) is gone. What makes you think the barrels were shortened? It's not very apparent to me from your photographs if they were.

Also, I would tend to think that any muzzle wear on a shotgun would affect the pattern. As old as it is, I'd just accept the pattern you get and leave it at that. I would definitely shoot only lead shot from now on however. Leave the BB's in your BB gun. :)

On your next outing with this piece, take the time to pattern it at 30 yards/27 meters or so. Use a 30 inch/76cm circle and use that pattern to calculate your equivalent choke from any of several charts available on the web.

And post pics!

[4v50 Gary]

Magnaflux it and even x-ray it to ensure that it's safe. You can also use the method described by Dixie Gun Works to test it. If you decide to use it, stay with blackpowder.