The thread "Oldest Rifles" begs the question, what is the oldest shotgun you own?
In 1954, my boss and a very close gunsmith friend & mentor gave me this Belgian 12 ga. percussion SxS as a high school graduation present and my gunsmith friend proceeded to coach me through it's restoration.
Proof marks indicated manufacture date of the old gun was around 1850.
The barrels were full of ant nests, breech plugs were frozen and nipples rusted away, but the flat leaf lock springs were good and my friend welded the hammer.
We freed the breech plugs and cleaned out the barrels, which were moderately pitted. Then we got a real break in that the nipple threads were good and were almost 5/16" SAE. We chased the threads and turned 2 new nipples using SAE machine bolts.
The wood was solid so I put a hand rubbed oil finish on it and made a replacement for the missing ramrod from a dowel with a lead filled copper tubing head.
It was now time to proof the barrels. We loaded each barrel with a fired 12 ga. shell full of ffg black powder, tamped down under half a Kleenex (barrels are close but not exactly 12 ga.) and topped that off with 2 oz. of shot, using the other half Kleenex for over shot wad. The gun was strapped down to an old tire with the butt resting inside the bead of the tire and a long string tied to the trigger. I reluctantly retreated behind the range house and with great trepidation yanked the string.
At the report, I quickly peered around the corner of the building; all I could see was the huge cloud of smoke, so quickly ran over to find my gun lying under the tire and pointed uprange! The recoil had flipped tire and all 180*, but the barrel held.
Have to admit, I was sorely tempted to call it good and shoot only that barrel, but for fear of forgetting which barrel was proofed, went ahead and repeated the drill. Success! Both barrels proofed out and the old girl was ready for the field.
Made lots of smoke and memories with the old girl and have shot many black birds and dove with it over the past 50 years. It's now happily retired in the back of my safe.
OK, now let's see what's hiding in the back of your safe or closet.
Regards,
hps
In 1954, my boss and a very close gunsmith friend & mentor gave me this Belgian 12 ga. percussion SxS as a high school graduation present and my gunsmith friend proceeded to coach me through it's restoration.
Proof marks indicated manufacture date of the old gun was around 1850.
The barrels were full of ant nests, breech plugs were frozen and nipples rusted away, but the flat leaf lock springs were good and my friend welded the hammer.
We freed the breech plugs and cleaned out the barrels, which were moderately pitted. Then we got a real break in that the nipple threads were good and were almost 5/16" SAE. We chased the threads and turned 2 new nipples using SAE machine bolts.
The wood was solid so I put a hand rubbed oil finish on it and made a replacement for the missing ramrod from a dowel with a lead filled copper tubing head.
It was now time to proof the barrels. We loaded each barrel with a fired 12 ga. shell full of ffg black powder, tamped down under half a Kleenex (barrels are close but not exactly 12 ga.) and topped that off with 2 oz. of shot, using the other half Kleenex for over shot wad. The gun was strapped down to an old tire with the butt resting inside the bead of the tire and a long string tied to the trigger. I reluctantly retreated behind the range house and with great trepidation yanked the string.
At the report, I quickly peered around the corner of the building; all I could see was the huge cloud of smoke, so quickly ran over to find my gun lying under the tire and pointed uprange! The recoil had flipped tire and all 180*, but the barrel held.
Have to admit, I was sorely tempted to call it good and shoot only that barrel, but for fear of forgetting which barrel was proofed, went ahead and repeated the drill. Success! Both barrels proofed out and the old girl was ready for the field.
Made lots of smoke and memories with the old girl and have shot many black birds and dove with it over the past 50 years. It's now happily retired in the back of my safe.
OK, now let's see what's hiding in the back of your safe or closet.
Regards,
hps
Last edited: