The gun recently found a new owner on this board, and maybe he’ll post any subsequent research on it if he finds anything of note. When I found the gun I was sure it was meant to be used as a Fowler, and maybe it was. However, I believe it was purchased as a live pigeon gun. My rationale is information I got from Cyril Adams’ “Live Pigeon Trapshooting” book published in 2017. Chapter 3 discusses pigeon guns and on page 130 he describes the “normal” American pigeon gun as existent in 1880: 10 bore at 9-10.5 lbs, 13.75” to 14.5” LOP; 3-3.5” drop. This pretty much describes this gun to a “T”. The special treatment of the rib convinces me even more that this was made as a money gun. Was it a Fowler? Probably but I’m convinced it was also used to shoot box birds. I’m especially curious about why this rib treatment was so uncommon when it works so well to cut glare. Evidence as a pigeon gun might be entirely circumstantial but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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