Back in 1889 the magazine Forest and Stream was doing a series of pattern and penetration tests of various shotguns available to the American shooting public in each issue. For the September 26 issue they decided to take a break from the Greener, Scott, L.C. Smith, Winchester Model 1887, Colt, Remington, etc., and test H & D Folsom's cheapest doubles. Here is a brief quote of what they had to say --

“...but the mean grade gun of no name. "W. Richards," that nonentity in the gun trade, was stamped on the plate, but they were really only those cheap bits of ordnance which come through our custom houses, pay a duty of 40 per cent., and yet may be placed on the counters of the gun shop at $5 a piece. The Forest and Stream has already in past times expressed its opinion about these pestiferous products of the penurious population clustered on Belgian soil.”

Take that H & D Folsom!!!

PESTIFEROUS and PENURIOUS? And that is when they were NEW. I guess you can't please everybody.

The best thing about 150 years of JABC's are the many really fine guns that are available at laughable prices because all Belgium guns tend to be lumped in with them by most buyers. I recently bought an early Acier 20 gauge hammer double that is engraved, gold inlaid and literally like new for under $1k. And it seemed to be no bargain in the marketplace really.
One of the best handling hammer 20's I have seen. Only drawback is that the wood quality is generally not up to the overall gun.

In the interest of saving my Brethren the time;
pestiferous: dangerous to society, carrying or propagating infection

penurious: poverty stricken, extremley poor

:cool::rotf:

Okay...I just picked up my latest JABC, only this one seems to be a step above the usual. It is a sidelock hammer double marked "RIVAL No. 6". 12 gauge - 2 1/2 in chambers - 28 1/8 inch barrels - Taper bored up until about 6 inches from the muzzles and then Jug Choked for about 3 inches. Rather nice piece of walnut with a horn buttplate and grip cap. It also has a horn inlay at the tip of the fore end and a small amount of hand engraving on the receiver and hammers and fore end release. All the usual BELGIUM stampings and proof marks. The barrels rib extension is machined in the form of a cloverleaf, and the rib is inscribed FINE DAMASCUS. At the muzzle end of the rib is a arrow terminating at the bead. The gun is tight and on face and shows little use.
Can anyone (Researcher) shed some light on the history of "RIVAL No. 6" or who marketed this brand name and what it may have originally sold for?
Austin

You often find them above the fire places at many Cracker Barrels down south. General worth imo is less then $100.

Sounds like the perfect "project gun"!! :rotf::rotf:

Years and years ago (over 20) my buddy wanted a sxs to hang over his fireplace in Va. I told him I'd find him one off Gunbroker and that I would look for one pre 1898. Found him a German guild gun with the cheekpiece and swivels that looked good for I think $110 bucks. Was a 16 gauge with damascus barrels. Got the gun and it was wonderful. Tight on face with nice engraving, great damascus barrels. It was so nice I told him I'd like to keep it and find him another one. Nope he liked that one and its still over his fireplace to this day and has never been fired by him.

So I loaded up some 7/8th oz. 12 gauge handloads to use in the Rival and tested them today. Started at a very low pressure and worked my way up to about 6800 psi. and 1150 fps. using PB powder. I could not be happier with the results. The Jug choked barrels threw a Modified, hole free, pattern at forty yards. Trigger pulls were crisp at about four pounds and the gun felt solid. I now plan to shoot some sporting clays with it and will, most likely, bring it to Ernie's in June 2023. BTW..If anyone is interested I posted a similar request for information on the Doublegunshop forum and received a little feedback.