New to me 8 gauge

[Jeff Sweeter]

I finally came across a decent 8 gauge at a local gun show that didn't break the bank and it followed me home.First one.Luckily I purchased some new hulls from Precision last summer just in case,and a member here was kind enough to sell me a bag of wads to get started with.The gun isn't a Parker, just stamped England on the flats.Anothed member,Dean Weber was here at this show and took a couple pics and researched for me thinking it was made between 1887-1904 by the proof marks.I sent a couple pics to Tom Armbrust and he thought possibly made by Clabrough,and thought the choke stamping on the flats came about in 1905?It seems to be in great condition,tight as can be everywhere,wood is solid and barrels are almost pristine in and out.Bores are about .815 and .820 with little choke. Appears to be possibly jug choked about .010 in each barrel is all.Wall thickness is mostly .070 and Tom mentioned getting barrels machine honed .020 to increase choke constriction.No idea what that would cost.Barrels are 36" long and it weighs 14.5 lbs.Ill have to shoot a couple patters when I get some shells loaded and go from there.If anyone has an idea of the maker or other info to share I would appreciate it.Thanks,Jeff

[6pt-Sika]

Did you talk to John Allgood about buying an 8 from him then got some 8 gauge loading components from him ?

[Keith Sirmans]

I can send you plenty of pictures of my clabrough 8 if it helps. May be the same maker but not sold or made for Clabrough

[Jeff Sweeter]

I guess I don't know John Allgood.Keith you can send me a few pics if it's not a bother.Im not familiar with Claybrough.I had sent a couple pics to Tom Armbrust and he has a Claybrough I guess and he said it looked similar to his.I didn't send him many pics to compare.He thought it also just have been made up in the trade.I think it seems pretty well built but don't have anything to compare it to.It has 3 1/2 inch chambers and forcing cones.Its not a brass case gun.

[Frank Good]

Beautiful gun!

[Dean Weber]

Jeff,
Your gun has Birmingham proofs. London proof house did not use the cross sceptres. Your gun has at least the following 2 proofs. The crossed sceptres were used through 1904. The word "CHOKE" proof started in 1887 and signified some amount of choke. So, proofed between 1887-1904. If proofed there, the maker is likely a Birmingham maker.

I did not see a maker's mark, but my pictures were quick and not in great focus. That said, there is a listing for a Birminham maker; Clabrough or Clayborough (John & Phillip) went by a couple names (spelling included) from about 1872 to about 1900. Names include, Claybrough Brothers, JP Clayborough & Brothers, JP Clabrough & Johnstone. There is also listed a Clabrough & Bros. listed in the London trade as well (1893-1895).

This information is taken from British Gunmakers, Nigel Brown.

Best - Hope to see the 8 again!

[Jeff Sweeter]

Dean thanks for the clarification.Good chance Claybrough had something to do with this gun? I guess it doesn't matter.Ive been told Claybrough was not a high end gun as compared to some.Ive never had one in my hands.This gun seems to me to be fairly well built whoever made it and I plan on having some fun shooting it and hunting something with it.Should have some ammo put together in a week or so depending on when I can locate a decent roll crimper.Might have a star crimper made up soon too.

[Jeff Sweeter]

I visited with Tom Armbrust again last evening and he mentioned working with someone to possibly make a plastic gas seal for reloading as the wads are not often available anymore.Filler wads are usually available or could be made.I mentioned 3D printing them but guess that has been tried and didn't work so well.I have a neighbor that just started making plastic fence posts from ground up plastic.Might have to visit with him.