Forehand Arms Sn. 1989:

[Bruce P Bruner]

I've seen this one advertised for awhile. Something curious about it that I've not seen before, there appears to be a locking mechanism on the bottom of the frame. Apparently when engaged it would lock the barrel lug to the frame, prohibiting the action from opening. A selective secondary lock I suppose. Innovative design that never caught on, but purely speculation on my part. Interesting none the less. Thoughts?
Forehand Arms Company operated from 1890-1902. Though it's a rare high condition upper grade item, it hasn't yet found a buyer at $3K.

[Steve Huffman]

Wish it were cheaper its nice looking gun

[Scott Smith]

Forehand Arms were well made quality guns. I had a grade 1 in high original condition some years ago. I am guessing, but this appears to be a grade 2. Very nice.

[David Noble]

Bruce, here is a photo of the locking mechanism. I'm not sure of it's function but it seems unnecessary to me. There is a wedge type locking system in the doll's head extension similar to the Lefever set-up.



Here is a similar gun on GI right now at a much lower price.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/shotguns-american-double-antique/forehand-arms-hammerless-double-12-gauge.cfm?gun_id=101780557

[Bruce P Bruner]

What I originally speculated about being a selective locking system is probably blather. I am clueless about it's function. The GI photo revealed that the "button" doesn't do what I thought. Yes, it looks unnecessary, yet I'm clueless as to it's function.
After seeing the photo it seems to be a serrated extension of the barrel lug. It does look supportive however.

[Dave Noreen]

Gotta love that Chain Damascus pattern on those barrels!!

I believe one needs to push that button to remove the barrels from the frame. While all of these shotguns I've got pictures of are engraved "FOREHAND ARMS CO." on the top-lever, 1129 and 1170 have the F&W in a diamond stamp of Forehand & Wadsworth on the watertable.

Of the guns I've recorded, those in the 1xxx range have three pins through the frame --

103014

and those in the 3xxx range have a single screw on each side of the frame --

103015

[john pulis]

Salter has one on GI, or had; not sure of the grade.

[Garry L Gordon]

That first example pictured looks pretty darned nice. Wonder what the barrels look like inside?

[Bruce P Bruner]

That first example pictured looks pretty darned nice. Wonder what the barrels look like inside?
They state the bore condition is clean. I like the shotgun but the price tag doesn't appeal to me.
"All that glitters is not gold".
For those who are interested:
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101165186?searchTerm=Forehand

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, the button on the barrel lug is for releasing the barrels from the frame. It is kind of a pain to operate.

Grades forehand guns are not seen often. This one is very nice.

[John Eurom]

Regarding the release button: The Forehand model Hammerless guns from F&W, Forehand Arms Co., and the early Hopkins & Allen hammerless all used the safety catch that prevented the barrels from dropping clear of the frame if opened with the forend removed. H&A later dropped the feature. I believe the design is accredited to R.Torkelson(employee). Torkelson used a similar system in his 1st and 2nd model Hammerless SxS's.

John

[Daryl Hallquist]

Some Forehands came in fairly high grades. As I remember, this is a Grade 3.

https://i.imgur.com/azqEdfr.jpg