Mooore & Harris Percussion Double

[Frank Srebro]

I’ve had black powder in my blood since my early ‘teens ….. early on I made simple muzzleloaders with hardware store components and later got into more authentic ones, shooting them for fun and primitive hunting. Over recent years I’ve been looking for an unmolested English percussion double-gun with good finishes, one that’s never had its bores honed, never been apart for refinishing, and with wood that’s still proud of the locks, tangs and other metalwork. That doesn’t sound too difficult but really it is, as most of these guns have been redone over the 150+ years since made. That quest came to an end last month when I found a Moore and Harris 12-gauge gun at the Allentown Forks Gun Show. Bores and locks are absolutely perfect, and based on the serial number she was probably made at the tail end of the M&H business run from 1838-64. Engravings are superb and I assume she was a higher grade offering. Those shiny plugs you'll see on the sides of both breeches are platinum and protect against severe overload pressure. The only mod I’ve made is to replace the original cap nipples with modern made SS nipples. The originals are good but I’ll be shooting this gun and I want to keep them that way for posterity.

Here she is getting ready for some test firing yesterday. She’ll be out hunting later this fall and will be a time travel machine back to my Junior year of High School when my friend George and I were hunting rabbits with his Father’s classy English caplock double-gun, with homemade black powder, newspaper for wadding, steel air rifle BB's, and a tiny bit of impact sensitive mix in foil for caps. His Dad told us that gun was a bar room buy for 35 bucks. :cool:

[Daryl Corona]

She's a beauty Frank

[George Davis]

Stunning!!!

[James L. Martin]

Frank, nice find. Good luck with her.

[Jeff Kuss]

I wonder where that gun has been hiding all these years!

[Chris Pope]

The ramrod original also? I'm facinated by them. She's gorgeous. When you take some birds or game with her send more photos. Thanks.

[Donald McQuade]

You sure do find some nice ones Frank. The condition on that gun for its age is amazing. Looking forward to hearing how she shoots and pictures of her with some birds. Keep us informed.

[Jay Oliver]

That is gorgeous! I am getting more into muzzleloading shotguns myself. They are such works of art. I hope you have fun with this one. Please post some some hunting pictures when you go...

[Daryl Corona]

Frank, just curious. Will you be hunting/walking with the hammers cocked or will you cock on the flush?

[Mike Koneski]

Having handled that gun I will attest to its quality!

[Ken Descovich]

Very nice looking gun Frank

[Matt Buckley]

That is a beautiful English Double you found for yourself. It's hard to beat the English for there eye to detail. I enjoy hunting with muzzleloader shotguns as well. I had one out the other day duck hunting. Keep your powder dry my fellow black powder enthusiasts.

[Frank Srebro]

Thanks all for your comments. I'm elated to have found her. The Dealer told me she came from long time family ownership in the Midwest. I'll post more pics once we get out hunting.

Hunting with the hammers cocked, or not? I've hunted with hammer guns over many years and don't cock the hammer(s) unless I'm fairy sure I'll get a shot, as when the beagles sound like the cottontail has made its back run, or birds are incoming. Otherwise in a sweet looking area I'll have my thumb on one hammer spur and ready to cock while mounting.

I do think the gun has its original or at least a period ebony ramrod. That machine thread (not the screw thread) shown on the second pic is an British 9/32-26 BSF. I have a tap on order and will make a brass extension cleaning jag on the lathe for use in the field.
.

[Jim Beilke]

Beautiful shotgun and I believe the ramrod is original or at least a very early replacement

[Jeff Kuss]

Frank,
There is a similar ramrod on ebay. #256601252506

[Chris Pope]

Thanks for the ramrod photos- beautiful.

[Arthur Shaffer]

Frank,
There is a similar ramrod on ebay. #256601252506

That ad says musket, but it looks to be a pistol rod.

[Frank Srebro]

Frank,
There is a similar ramrod on ebay. #256601252506

Thanks Jeff for the comparison info. Something like $145. USD plus shipping from the UK. Also looks pretty short and the length dimension listed doesn't make sense. :whistle:

Just for additional info, my Moore & Harris weight is 7-4, stock 1-5/8 by 2-3/4 by 14" LOP. Bores .730/731" with my Baker bore mike.

[Steve Cambria]

Pure "HONEY and SMOKE" Frank!!! :whistle: What a beauty!!

[Jay Oliver]

The nice thing about these finer percussion shotguns is the quality of the locks. Half cock should take the hammer back about 75%-80% then you can go to full cock when a bird flushes by moving both hammers back with your thumb in an easy, quick, almost instinctive motion.

This post has me wanting to get mine out on the range and field.

Enjoy!