Army Navy Question

[AJ Saunders]

I thought I had it the builder figured out on this old hammer gun as a webley Scott, but now I am not so sure. I haven’t shot it and it is time to move it on, but I have no idea what it is or what it is worth. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

I did contact University of Glasgow and they wrote me back and said it was a saloon gun (which it isn’t). Serial number is 555-5. The info they sent was for 5555. I am scratching my head. It is in amazing condition and I am guessing the barrels are Damascus under the bluing.

Anyway, if anyone knows anything about this cool old piece, I would greatly appreciate the input.

Andrew

[AJ Saunders]

More pics

[Matt Buckley]

It does have English Nitro Proof marks for 2 1/2" loads so if the bore diameter measures close to .729 is should be safe to shoot.

[AJ Saunders]

A few more pics.

[David Noble]

Interesting gun. I believe the serial number is actually 5555. The fact that you were told that it was a saloon gun could mean it was originally a large caliber or gauge gun with a chamber insert to fire a small caliber projectile akin to a 22 long or 22 short, a BB cap or CB cap. It possibly was ordered that way for a "loop" around some tax or prohibition on large caliber or gauge guns. Perhaps it was modified or re-barreled to it's current gauge.
It's possible that you were informed incorrectly to begin with.
Either way, it is what it is now. Just a thought.

[edgarspencer]

You're showing us two different guns. A back action hammer gun and a sidelock hammerless. Am I missing part of the story?
I see that the hammer gun was imported by Hill Rod & Gun, in Bozeman. They import a ton of oddball, reworked, etc. I would bet a cheap steak dinner that gun has been rebarrelled.

[Drew Hause]

The marks on the flats are the London reproof 1954 - 1989. London did not mark a date code until 1972 so it was proved before then.
3 Tons would be for a service load of about 9000 psi

The original proof marks are on the barrel forward of the flats. It looks like a 12 = .729" which was the bore at the time of reproof also.

[AJ Saunders]

Oops, sorry about the wrong pics. Just deleted them.

[AJ Saunders]

Looks similar to this one

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/w-c-scott-shotguns/w-c-scott-8-ga-in-original-case-accessories.cfm?gun_id=102652417

W&C Scott was a manufacturer for Army Navy.

[AJ Saunders]

https://gerardcox.blogspot.com/2014/03/dating-another-double-barreled-hammer.html

Very similar piece from 1887.


Here it is

http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/A&N%20SL%20Hg%202688/A&N%20SL%20Hg%202688%20Details.htm

[AJ Saunders]

Closeup of Proofs

[AJ Saunders]

Pics

[Drew Hause]

The original London proof on the barrels is 1868-1875, making it likely the barrels are blued damascus.

[AJ Saunders]

Thank you all for your input. 1885 from old army navy notes. 30” barrels. The notes have Osborn written on them. Maybe a Charles Osborn gun?

[AJ Saunders]

This is a cool video of their old catalog - go to 3:45 and there it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FXcSdd5Kfg

I am going to guess it is model 200 as it has the fence.

Osborn definitely made guns for other manufacturers as they have a colt page as well, so it would fit with the Army Navy rebranding.