A "New" Muzzleloading SxS

Jay Oliver · 10-04-2021, 02:45 PM

A recent auction find, a Samuel Henry Staudenmayer percussion sxs 20 gauge with 32” barrels. Staudenmayer started out as an apprentice to John Manton(Joeseph Manton’s older brother). The date on this would be sometime from 1800 to early 1830s.

What attracted me to this was that it was either converted from flintlock to percussion or was a very early percussion gun. The width of the stock head around the locks makes me think this may have started out as a flintlock. The bores are in real nice l shape. This is useable as is in my opinion with square black powder loads.

If I can confirm it was originally a flintlock, I will have it converted back to a flintlock. I had a wonderful hunt last year at Markover in Connecticut with a percussion sxs in the morning and flintlock fowler in the afternoon. My dog didn’t mind the extra noise and I enjoyed the historical aspect of muzzleloader hunting. The percussion sxs is just like shooting a modern gun once you figure out a good load. The flintlock was a little more challenging, I was using a single shot fowler. The gun worked beautifully, but I kept rushing my first and only shot...

I will get this one back into the field this season…

OH Osthaus · 10-04-2021, 03:44 PM

tough call from the pics

but I am guessing built as early percussion simply because I don't see signs of a frizzen spring having been on the lock plate- and the hook breach looks like its been there right along

of course, it is possible that could be a sign of the converting gunsmiths skills - but i'd still go with my first bet

in any case - really nice find - its fun to make smoke with the old pieces

Jay Oliver · 10-04-2021, 06:16 PM

Thanks Rick, I probably am being a little to optimistic that it may have been originally a flintlock. It really doesn't matter as I am excited about it and can't wait to shoot it.

The wide stock near the breach and trigger guard is very similar to some other early 1800s flintlocks I had seen. And it looks like the breach blocks may have been milled for the drums. I would imagine though, when percussion locks/caps first were developed they were fitted to what would have be flintlock guns.

I am going try an break a few targets with this one over the weekend...

Matt Buckley · 10-04-2021, 08:58 PM

Nice one Jay. It is fun to bring these old muzzleloaders back into service. Think about the fact this gun could easily be 200 years old. Amazing in my mind.

Jim Beilke · 10-04-2021, 09:55 PM

It may well have been a flintlock as noted by the drum and nipple means of ignition. That was a common means of conversion from flintlock to percussion lock. Had it originally been a percussion they would probably have used a patent breech in which the fire from the cap would go directly into the shotgun chamber as opposed to making a right angle turn as in the drum and nipple. Patent breech ignition is a fair amount faster and often more reliable

Jay Oliver · 10-04-2021, 10:00 PM

Matt, if you saw these bores you would be amazed, silver and shiny for the most part. Staudenmayer died in 1834 so it is at least 187 years old. He is probably better known for his airguns at the time. He also made some flintlock pistols and single barrel rifles/fowlers.

I'll post some pictures/video when I shoot it

charlie cleveland · 10-04-2021, 10:22 PM

I bet she shoots just fine...charlie

Stan Hillis · 10-04-2021, 10:31 PM

That's a beauty, Jay. 32" smallbores are lovely, regardless the type ignition. Please grace us with some more pics later.

6pt-Sika · 10-05-2021, 02:45 AM

I’ve got a double MacFarlane 10 gauge we’ve had for about twenty years . I worked up okay buckshot loads with it but had a hard time keeping the overshot card tight in the second barrel after the first shot . I also worked towards a slug in one barrel but I couldn’t get POA and POI at 30 yards to be close . I went as high as 90 or so grains of 777 2Fg . I had to stop that endeavor as my shoulder was growing a permenant knot from the recoil . The slugs were 730 grains . I shot it a couple times with 1 1/2 ounces of shot and it broke targets well enough but I never was comfortable with the overshot card staying put in the left after firing the right .

Jay Oliver · 10-05-2021, 09:15 AM

Craig, I ordered some 18 gauge overshot cards and wads from Track of the Wolf as 20 gauge cards/wads didn't feel quite tight enough. There is definitely some variation in bore sizes in these older guns. My only recommendation is to try 9 or 8 gauge cards/wads in your gun if you haven't already.