Birthday present arrived today.
 

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.

Great Damascus pattern in that one view

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

Great piece of History there.

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





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My birthday present arrived today
 

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.

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

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





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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.

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.

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





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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.

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.

Here are a few more photos.

Thanks Wayne.






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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.

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.

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

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.

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