Researching - Keystone Arms Co. Dbl. Barrel 12 Ga.

[Old Mike]

Mr. Nolden:

The gun in question has been in my family for many years. I am trying to learn more about it. The details:

1. This is a 12 Ga. side-by-side shotgun with external hammers
2. It has a 30 inch barrel and is about 47 3/4 in overall length
3. The markings on the gun include the following:
A. Left side just in front / below hammer "Keystone Arms Co."
B. Right side in front of hammer "June 20 1883" "Belgium"
C. Underside of barrel midlength "36333" "0" "211" towards base of barrel "17.0" ""112" "5" "Not for Ball" the letter "S" with a 5-pointed star right above it and another mark <>- (sort of a diamond shaped base with a spire) and an oval containing the letters "E" "L" "G" and a 5-pointed star
D. Top of barrel "Fine Laminsated Steel" "Belgium" the letter "S" with a 5-pointed star right above it and another mark <>- (sort of a diamond shaped base with a spire) "36383" "1125" "211"
E. A detachable piece fitting at the base of the barrel on the underside is marked with "36383" "1125" and letters "J" "R"

I've tried to research Keystone Arms with limited success. One site suggested it may have simply distributed guns made by another company. It does appear to be very old. I've always been told it is not safe to use with today's smokeless powder cartridges.

Any information or suggestinos you could offer to help me learn more about this piece of family memorobilia would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance... Mike

 

[Jim K]

You are correct on two points. Keystone was a distributor; AFAIK, they made no guns. And that gun is unsafe to shoot with anything, even black powder.

The gun was made in Belgium, as evidenced by the Belgian proof marks, probably on or close to the 1883 date. Laminated steel was a version of "Damascus". The difference is that while a Damascus barrel was built up from twisted iron and steel barrels wrapped around a mandrel (iron bar) and hammer welded, laminated steel was built up from small plates similarly wrapped around a mandrel, heated white hot and hammer welded. Both types of barrel may have been adequately strong when made, but almost all have rusted and corroded internally until they are unsafe with even black powder loads, let alone modern smokeless powder.

Monetary value is negligible, and most dealers will not take those guns in trade at any price, nor will gunsmiths repair them. As a family relic, of course, the value is "priceless" (as the commercial says). I recommend putting the gun in a place of honor, hanging on the wall of a rec room or gun room. You might consider removing or grinding down the firing pins to be sure no one will ever mistakenly fire it and be hurt.

Jim