Hemenway's New Model Damascus Hammer Top Lever

[Bruce Bruner]

Located and purchased a Hemenway's New Model Damascus SxS today. Real nice overall condition. The big question I have is the underside of the barrels are stamped "13", what does that mean? I believe the gun is a 12 bore, but perhaps a 13 bore? A 12 gauge shell fits nicely though. Check out the many photos. Someone here knows about these London or Birmingham guns. Looks similar to the early Isaac Hollis guns. The carved horn butt plate and for-end tip are well done as are the engraved side plates and bolsters. A surprising amount of "case color" still exists. Oh, the serial number is kind of low...#46. I didn't give a whole bunch for the piece (you'd laugh) but with the condition I felt it needed to go home with me. The quality is perhaps arguably similar to a Parker top lever "D" grade. The barrels measure a touch over 30 1/8". The bores are absolutely perfect and shiny. My appreciation for Parker Guns has opened my eyes to other vintage side by sides and hope you can understand, though Parker Bros. are my favorite.

[Drew Hause]

Sweet Bruce. That is an uncommon 'English Best' Turkish variant called 'Rosen', with a weld line down the middle of each scroll.
I added a couple of your pics, with an attribution, at the bottom here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18059733

Rosa damascena

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20069190/363848040.jpg


'13' means the bore at proof was .710-.718, '13/1' = .719-.728, and '12' .729.
What is the bore now?

[Steve Huffman]

Bruce I just picked up a gun with that same but plate ,Nice looking guns for the money !

[Bruce Bruner]

Drew, Thank you for the very informative link. I'm honored you added my photographs to the link. Do you think the Hemenway is really an Isaac Hollis with the Hemenway name? The serial number sure is low. Simply using a caliper: L-.711 R-.715 are the current bore measurements. I'm very appreciative for the knowledge shared here. Bruce

[Drew Hause]

Made by Isaac Hollis & Sons c. 1862-1900. You might post over on DoubleGunBBS for more information.

[Rick Losey]

yes 13 is the bore size, but still a 12 gauge chamber

not uncommon.

Looks like Birmingham proofs -

I looked at one from that maker summer before last -yours is nicer :rotf:

[John Campbell]

To put a finer point on what OH has said, this gun was proofed at 13 bore, but chambered as a 12. If the tubes are still under .729, it's probably still closer to 13. Proofs are Birmingham. And the left barrel was made with choke. It may still have some.

English barrel lengths were often give or take a 1/2" or so. Don't worry that.

Overall, this is a very fine example of a good English gun. With a surprising amount of colour case left. With light nitro loads, it should be fine.

You got a very good bargain here!

Best, Kensal