Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a typical British-made Double Barreled Percussion shotgun, almost certainly intended for the large U.S. import market. It is marked on both lock plates with W. CHANCE & SON., with lovely decorative engraving around the edges, and game hunting scenes on both. Research indicates that this was a London based gunsmith and retailer, who was heavily involved with the U.S. Export trade. Per Howard L. Blackmore's fine work Gunmakers of London 1350-1850. , there were several W. Chance companies located at the 2 Coleman Street Buildings in London, with more manufacturing in Birmingham, was was common at the time. There wer two generations of William Chance, and William Chance Son & Co. was the name of the company from approximately 1843-56, which we believe is the time period this shotgun comes from.
The barrel strap still has a faint marking on the top of the barrel strap:
LONDON. REAL TWISTED STUBS.
This means that the barrel was forged using twisted horseshoe name "stubs", which is actually not that out of the ordinary. Many gun barrels of the 19th century were made from nails, stubs, chains, and even horseshoes, as the wear and use of these items resulted in superior barrels when they were forged and twisted. The finish on the barrels is faded, but the spiral lines are still readily apparent on the underside beneath the stock. The double barrel assembly is 28 ¾" in length, an the shotgun has an overall length of 46".
The bottoms of each barrel bear the correct Birmingham proof marks, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. There is not however any "CROWN / BP" marking, indicating pre-1855 manufacture. There is also a BW maker mark on the bottom of the barrel, as well as serial number 1402.
This very nice DOUBLE BARREL 12 bore Percussion Shotgun presents very nicely, with a lovely patina of age. The plain walnut stock is lovely, and has a lovely red brown color to it, probably having been refinished at some point recently. The shotgun's fittings are all of iron except for the nickel silver barrel wedge escutcheons, and also a name plaque on the back of the wrist. The metalwork shows lovely original engraving throughout, which can be a bit hard to see due to patination, but is very well executed. This definitely looks to have been a rather upmarket example.
Both locks are fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The cap nipple cones are in great shape, having been replaced sometime in the past. Under the barrel is a lovely original iron tipped cleaning rod, which could be a working life replacement, but is definitely not just for display.
This is a great looking gun by a known London maker, and would look perfect mounted on the wall. Ready to display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: c.1850
Caliber: 12 Bore / Gauge - about 0.729
Cartridge Type: Powder & Shot with Cap
Barrel Length: 28 ¾ Inches
Overall Length: 46 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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