Birthday present arrived today.

[wayne goerres]

For those interested in such things here are a couple of pics of my new Dreyse double. Havn't figure out the gauge yet but a brass 20ga wont quite slide in and a 24ga is to small. The bore measures .650. Any help in identifying it would be appreciated.

[Rick Losey]

Great Damascus pattern in that one view

[charlie cleveland]

wayne that sure is a nice one..great damascus...is there such a thing as a 22 ga if there is this would be in between the 20 ga and the 24 ga...keep us posted on the finds....charlie

[Brian Dudley]

Great piece of History there.

[Dean Romig]

Was it meant for ball or shot? Is either bore rifled?.... even just at the muzzle?





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[wayne goerres]

I have never heard of or saw a listing for a 22ga but that means exactly nothing. I will try and post some more pic's.

[wayne goerres]

Hi Dean. It is just a shotgun made for shot only. It is to old to have any proof marks and has no rifleing.

[Dean Romig]

Those barrels are a great example of some of the heavily etched barrels of that period.





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[Bill Murphy]

If the bore is .650 and a 20 gauge shell won't fit in the chamber, it can't have what we would identify as a forcing cone.

[wayne goerres]

You would be correct Bil. It dose not have a forcing cone. Its an odd arrangement an hard to describe. Its like a barrel without a chamber and only a rim cut with a very short taper aprox. 3/4in in front of it and then a straight transition to the barrel. If it had a regular chamber than a brass 20ga would slide right in.

[Dean Romig]

Will you please post a picture or two of the gun open?





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[Bob Brown]

Wayne, to open this one you move the lever to the left, push forward the barrels, and pivot the chambers to the right, don't you? if so and you want to see a drawing and and a few paragraphs on the design it is on page 161 of W.W. Greener's The Gun.

[wayne goerres]

That is correct bob. As the barrels move forward it also cocks both internal hammers (for lack of a better name). I am not sure yet but it looks like unfortunately both needles may be broken. Dean I will try to get you a couple more Pic's.

[wayne goerres]

Here are a few more photos.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Wayne.






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[Dennis E. Jones]

I seem to remember that some early Parkers had two different size chambers, (A) being "above bore" and (B) being "bore" diameter. I wonder if this shotgun has what would be a (B) chamber.

I would turn some brass cases just to try it out on clays.

[wayne goerres]

I found out to day that they are .070 cases. (forget all about gauges they do not correspond). They fire these guns buy sizing 20ga MagTech brass down to size. I am still in the learning stage but have been corresponding with a Dreyse collector. The gun was made in 1885 (+/-) which is way later than I would have thought. With an English style stock and a steel trigger guard It is some what rare for a Dreyse.It will probable be a while before I try to fire this gun. Seems like I have to many projects.

[charlie cleveland]

well at least you found something out about this old piece...now what ga are we gona call it...ha...charlie

[Frank Cronin]

Wayne, just an idea. Try contacting Rocky Mountain Cartridge. You make a Cerrosafe chamber casting of your gun and have have him turn some brass shells.

Just a thought.

[wayne goerres]

Charlie I think we will just call it a mutt unless someone has a better idea. Frank I don't deal with rude people.