Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums  

Go Back   Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums Non-Parker Specific & General Discussions General Discussions about Other Fine Doubles

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
15 Gauge Smith Percussion Double
Unread 11-28-2020, 01:06 PM   #1
Member
Matt Buckley
PGCA Member
 
Matt Buckley's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 619
Thanks: 408
Thanked 1,182 Times in 260 Posts

Default 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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg thumbnail_IMG_1226.jpg (250.5 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg thumbnail_IMG_1233.jpg (261.7 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg thumbnail_IMG_1236.jpg (203.5 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg thumbnail_IMG_1235.jpg (240.2 KB, 1 views)
Matt Buckley is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to Matt Buckley For Your Post:
Unread 11-28-2020, 03:56 PM   #2
Member
Kensal Rise
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,768
Thanks: 580
Thanked 2,575 Times in 925 Posts

Default

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.
John Campbell is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 11-28-2020, 06:32 PM   #3
Member
OH Osthaus
PGCA Lifetime
Member
 
Rick Losey's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,797
Thanks: 1,641
Thanked 8,138 Times in 3,254 Posts

Default

and Smith maybe the lock maker not the gun maker
__________________
"If there is a heaven it must have thinning aspen gold, and flighting woodcock, and a bird dog" GBE
Rick Losey is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 11-28-2020, 09:29 PM   #4
Member
Matt Buckley
PGCA Member
 
Matt Buckley's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 619
Thanks: 408
Thanked 1,182 Times in 260 Posts

Default

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 Buckley is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Matt Buckley For Your Post:
Unread 11-29-2020, 11:30 AM   #5
Member
Jay Oliver
PGCA Lifetime
Member
 
Jay Oliver's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,032
Thanks: 1,301
Thanked 3,147 Times in 622 Posts

Default

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.
Jay Oliver is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Jay Oliver For Your Post:
Unread 11-30-2020, 07:48 AM   #6
Member
Stan Hillis
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,694
Thanks: 3,143
Thanked 3,898 Times in 1,112 Posts

Default

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.





SRH
Stan Hillis is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Stan Hillis For Your Post:
Unread 11-30-2020, 05:52 PM   #7
Member
Matt Buckley
PGCA Member
 
Matt Buckley's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 619
Thanks: 408
Thanked 1,182 Times in 260 Posts

Default

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.
__________________
"Where would a minister be without the help of sin, or the dry without alcohol?"
Gene Hill
Shotgunner's Notebook

"May the honkers fly low and slow."
Douglas Bandemer
Matt Buckley is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 11-30-2020, 06:49 PM   #8
Member
Stan Hillis
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,694
Thanks: 3,143
Thanked 3,898 Times in 1,112 Posts

Default

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.



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.
Stan Hillis is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12-06-2020, 10:00 AM   #9
Member
Elk Hunter
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 214
Thanks: 50
Thanked 445 Times in 100 Posts

Default

I too like muzzleloaders. Here's my Fraser 15 bore. I still need to get busy and refinish the barrels.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Grouse & Fraser shotgun 003 R.JPG (158.2 KB, 1 views)
__________________
Proud father and grandfather of United States Marines!
Dennis E. Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Dennis E. Jones For Your Post:
Unread 12-06-2020, 06:38 PM   #10
Member
Matt Buckley
PGCA Member
 
Matt Buckley's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 619
Thanks: 408
Thanked 1,182 Times in 260 Posts

Default

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.
__________________
"Where would a minister be without the help of sin, or the dry without alcohol?"
Gene Hill
Shotgunner's Notebook

"May the honkers fly low and slow."
Douglas Bandemer
Matt Buckley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:00 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2023, Parkerguns.org
Copyright © 2004 Design par Megatekno
- 2008 style update 3.7 avec l'autorisation de son auteur par Stradfred.