Inherited a shotgun

[Allen in MT]

Recieved this J P Clabrough & Bros 12 ga. hammer double shotgun. It is from San Francisco. Under the for end is stamped on both barrels 1912 as well as the forend itself and on the wood of the forend. On the tang of the trigger guard is also stamped 1912. No other numbers other than 11 stamped on underside of barrels. Laminated steel Damascus style
Is the 1912 the serial number??
What is the value of something like this??
What is the age or when manufactured??
Wood is not cracked, dings and scratches here and there.
Took it to a shop to have it checked out and it is a shooter with low base shells

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[rcmodel]

Took it to a shop to have it checked out and it is a shooter with low base shells

You maybe got some bad advice.
Damascus steel = It might be a shooter with black powder shells.

But smokeless low-brass shells run the same or higher pressure as high-brass or Magnum shells.

If it decides to let go, you will lose some fingers on your left hand.

I've seen it three times in my lifetime.

J. P. Clabrough was a retailer who sold well made firearms in both England and the US.
I believe the proof mark on the barrels is a Birmingham England Black Powder proof used 1813 - 1904.

rc

 

[Mamertine]

That's a neat looking gun. I'd agree with RC. Now you have a nice looking antique. In addition to loosing part of your left hand you also would destroy the nice looking collectable.

My $0.02 is you have a nice piece of art, don't risk destroying it by shooting it to see if it works.

 

[gpb]

"Took it to a shop to have it checked out and it is a shooter with low base shells"

It seems like the old high brass vs. low brass myth will not die.

Sadly, I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that gun shops are close to being the worst places to get advice concerning guns and ammunition.

 

[rule303]

Nice wall hanger. If you really want to shoot it, have a smith who is intimately familiar with old doubles check it out, it may be safe to shoot with black powder.

 

[Allen in MT]

I'm not interested in shooting it, Have a friend who is into the Cowboy action shooters assoc. that is interested and had mentioned about using it with black powder loads, of course that would be his decision to have it checked out. I will relay what is mentioned here if he wants it.
What the value is I don't know.
thanks for the responses.

 

[rcmodel]

Google J P Clabrough & Bros for sale and see what pops up on the closed gun actions.

http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10158834

rc

 

[JAshley73]

On these old Damascus-barreled guns, would it be feasible (safe) to have a set of Sub-Guage tubes made? Would it still be dangerous to shoot?

 

[rcmodel]

Sub-gage barrels are perfectly safe in them.

They contain the chamber pressure so the Damascus doesn't have too.

rc

 

[oneounceload]

Contrary to many here, IF the person checking it out knew his stuff, then it should be fine. There are many folks who shoot ammo from RST and Polywad in their Damascus guns that date anywhere from 1820- 1900's.
Again that is if the smith knows his stuff. You might want to go to www.doublegunshopg.com and ask those folks. Many shoot their old guns without issue

 

[rcmodel]

There are many folks who shoot ammo from RST and Polywad in their Damascus guns

The difference is though:
That those are not your run-of-the-mill, low-brass, 11,500 PSI shells from Wally-World.

Agreed?

rc

 

[oneounceload]

Agreed, but the whole low/high brass thing means nothing anyway

 

[rcmodel]

Thats what I said in post #2.

Never mind.

Have a Merry Xmas everyone!!

rc

 

[Tom Held]

safe to shoot

That's a beautiful damascus pattern on that gun. I would not be concerned about shooting modern 1200 fps shells in it. I have a Parker (hammerless) and Greener (with hammers) that I shoot all the time with modern ammo. A friend of mine is one of the finest live bird shooters in the country and his favorite gun is a 1890s era Purdy with Damascus barrels and he's shooting 3 1/4 dram pigeon loads in it, 1 1/4 oz of 8s. Go to any of the Vintagers shoots and watch all of those fine Damascus barrels guns being shot in competition.

 

[Uniquedot]

I would not be concerned about shooting modern 1200 fps shells in it.

As rc mentioned in post #2 the velocity means nothing...just as the brass height means nothing. If you buy target loads you are likely shooting maximum pressure loads.

 

[oneounceload]

That's a beautiful damascus pattern on that gun. I would not be concerned about shooting modern 1200 fps shells in it. I have a Parker (hammerless) and Greener (with hammers) that I shoot all the time with modern ammo. A friend of mine is one of the finest live bird shooters in the country and his favorite gun is a 1890s era Purdy with Damascus barrels and he's shooting 3 1/4 dram pigeon loads in it, 1 1/4 oz of 8s. Go to any of the Vintagers shoots and watch all of those fine Damascus barrels guns being shot in competition.

Don't forget those at the Southern SxS championships as well. A LOT of older guns are in excellent condition to use - are there some that aren't? Of course, which is why you were told to go a smith who KNOWS old guns - if you do not have any or know any, than ask the folks on Doublegunshop.com

 

[Allen in MT]

Had it checked out and it is a 10ga. chambered for 2 1/2" shells in nice shape and it locks up nice and tight. Found out it was made between 1855 & 1868 and 1912 is the SN#