Is this safe to shoot?

As long

As long as you are sure it is not Damascus, and use a very light target round, it is probably OK.
First check for bulges or dings or splits or cracks in the barrel than check the receiver and face for anything that looks like damage. If it looks OK I would try it. But that has to be your decision,I'm not trying to make your mind up for you, I'm just saying what I would do.

Having a smith look it over is a very good idea. First, he should be able to tell if the barrel is damascus or not. Beyond that, he likely has a very good bore scope and can throughly check out the interior of the barrel.

Tip #1----on your first shot, shoot from the hip. Whilst wearing a pair of h/duty gloves....

Problem solved then.

Now you get to take it to the gunsmith for sure

Here is a tip for ya.

Do Not dry fire 100 year old guns.
You will break the firing pin.

rc

rcmodel said:

Here is a tip for ya.

Do Not dry fire 100 year old guns.
You will break the firing pin.

rc

Click to expand...

rcmodel said:

Here is a tip for ya.

Do Not dry fire 100 year old guns.
You will break the firing pin.

rc

Click to expand...

RC, I'd like to see evidence of that ever having happened.

Sorry Chevy but this thread is just too funny.

By the way - that's not a damascus barrel in the photo.

I'd make a pin, check the bore for dents (looks like a "behind the door" gun) and blast away... after the tips above for first try safety.

Happens all the time with older guns, even the "Best" grades. You NEVER dry fire one of those without snap caps

That looks just like a patent twin to a pile-o-jc higgins sitting on my bench in a 20 gauge.

Thats a Stevens 85 or 89. Numerich has parts.

on your first shot, shoot from the hip. Whilst wearing a pair of h/duty gloves....

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My way of testing an old shotgun has been load a round matching the marking on the barrel, wrap a towel around the butt, wedge in a tire, lash the barrel down with rope, point it at a stump, fire it with a long string, then inspect for damage.

Was wondering why you bought it in the first place. Especially, if you "think" it may be un-safe to shoot. You spent $75 on something that may turn out to be a "junker" or something that can be repaired, at an additional cost. Plus,it`s a single shot. Hope it works out for you.

Looks a lot like my single shot 20 gauge. Mine is from that era, maybe a decade or so later, I can't really pinpoint it.

I spent $80 on it, and its my primary yard critter blaster. The wife uses it for deer, too.

Only difference is mine isn't a pile of parts

My way of testing an old shotgun has been load a round matching the marking on the barrel, wrap a towel around the butt, wedge in a tire, lash the barrel down with rope, point it at a stump, fire it with a long string, then inspect for damage.
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^^Yea, long string, tarp straps, and heavier load than you would normally shoot. repeat until confident.

Be aware many 20 GA shotguns from that vintage were chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells not modern 2 3/4 inch. Often a 2 3/4 inch will fit, but there is not enough room for the shell to open up fully causing over pressure and perhaps exploding.

There is nothing wrong with that old shotgun, Palmetto was a trade name used by the Tryon Hardware Catalog co. in Phil. around the turn of the century. They were made by Stevens, Crescent and Hopkins & Allen. Spend 10 bucks get a new firing pin & use it.............One thing I want to know, how did a 1/4 inch pin go through a 1/16 inch hole? Or did it just break the tip off it ?