15 Gauge Smith Percussion Double
 

I wanted to show off my 15 Gauge Percussion shot gun built by Smith, London. I wanted to see if any of the members own the book British Gunmakers Volume 1 and could look up Smith Gun Builders from London in the mid 1800's. I'm trying to narrow down who built this gun. This particular gun is marked Smith London on the sides of the back locks towards the back end of the locks. It is a little hard to see in the pics. The gun has Birmingham Proof House marks from sometime between 1855-1875. It is stamped as 16 gauge barrels but they measure .680 and .675 which by today's standards is 15 gauge. The gun sports a 27" barrel and weights 6.1lbs. The old Smith has proven deadly on wild pheasants with 2 1/2 drams of ff Goex and 1 1/8 oz of shot.

Mr. Buckley:
Sorry, but Nigel Brown's British Gunmakers, Vol. One, lists no less than 25 "Smiths" as London gunmakers/dealers. So... without more information, I'm afraid you're out of luck.

Nice gun though. Mid to low end of the scale.

and Smith maybe the lock maker not the gun maker

I was afraid there would be to many smiths to narrow down. Thanks for looking for me. Of all my doubles this is one of my best handling. It carries like a Parker 16 on an O frame.

Matt, That is a nice percussion shotgun. I don't have any information on the maker. I just wanted to share that I like these old guns as well. I also like the look of back action locks on any gun...including Parkers!

I have a 15 gauge percussion shotgun that was made in Germany. If I am organized it doesn't take much more effort to shoot these guns. I have a powder measure flask and shot measure flask that helps. Like you I have been impressed by the way mine shoots. It is one of my favorite shotguns.

I have included percussion shotguns on all of my auction searches lately. Lot's of of amazing mid 19th century craftsmanship.

Bird shooting with M/L doubles is lots of fun, if you have the right mindset. I have shot both wild quail and doves with my 16 ga. Doves are easier, as you can set up on a stand and use a loading rod with a big palm handle. Quail are a bit tougher as you have to use the ramrod under the barrels, carry the powder and wads and shot, and squat real quick to look under the smoke when you shoot so you can mark where the bird falls.

Those are very pretty locks on your gun. My Manton has very similar B/A locks.

I remember when you could buy a cased Boss M/L double at the NMLRA National Matches in Indiana for $2500, in pristine condition. But, that was way more money in '83-'84 than it is now.

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SRH

Beautiful smoke pole Stan. The English know how to do it when it comes to the aesthetics of these guns. I like your shooting box. I try and shoot old school out of a shooting/possible bag.

That box is really for range shooting. I use the little camo "bag" with premeasured powder charges for doves. Most important thing in that pic, to me, is that loading rod I made from a hickory ramrod blank and an old solid brass doorknob. The tube beside it is 1/2" metal conduit. I flared the top end a little, and hammered the other end into a point to make it easier to push it into the ground. For stationary shooting, such as doves or clays, it is invaluable.

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I used a possibles bag too, when I used the gun for quail, so as to travel light. Always wanted a good shot snake and powder flask, tho'.

One cool thing about the Manton is that it has the original ramrod. It has a brass tip that has a knurled cap. When you unscrew the cap there is a wad screw underneath to be used for pulling wads when you want to unload it without shooting.

I too like muzzleloaders. Here's my Fraser 15 bore. I still need to get busy and refinish the barrels.

Here is what I use for shot Stan. The older shot pouch with the English style head will drop 1 1/4 or 1 1/2oz of shot depending where you set it. The newer shot pouch I use with one of my brass powder measure drop.