1883 Grade 2 Hammer Gun ?
I am a new member to this great forum. I have not yet sent for a Research Letter, which I just learned can be acquired; that will be my next task. Until then, I was hoping to get straightened out on the identification/valuation of this gun, as the markings have me confused. I believe it to be an 1883 Grade 2, G, top action hammer gun.
Serial numbers are all consistent, and the #36858 makes it a model produced in 1883. The barrels are Damascus Steel, 30", and the stamped weight on the flats is 4 6. To the left of the barrel weight stamp are the Initials D and J (the latter appearing to the top and right of the D, right up against the locks).
I surmise the frame size to be 1, the number stamped on the barrel lug. However, to the left of the 1 are what appear to be two other numbers, curiously stamped. The first stamp on the lug looks like an upside down 4, while the second looks like a 6 or 9 stamped sideways. These are, of course, the same numbers as the barrel weight numbers, but the manner in which they are stamped is odd.
I believe the gun to be 12 gauge, as the bore appears to be right at .750, and 12ga. snap caps fit comfortably in the chambers. (More on the snap caps follows.) Everything is right and tight, the stock tightly to the frame, and the barrels fitting tight and secure. However, it appears the head of the left hammer screw sheared off, leaving the threads/body within the hammer mount. Fortunately, the hammer survives.
The gun has the typical embellishments, I believe, of the G grade, including the white metal shield and dog's head butt plate. Engraving of the left frame side depicts two quail in tall grass, while the right frame side is engraved with two ducks in flight (aka "the flying turnips"?)
Hoping it might again be fired, I took it to a well-known,local gunsmith who was highly regarded. He did a very nice job of cleaning it up, but found what appears to be a faint, but distinct line on the right inside of the left barrel. It is likely a crack, he believes. Both barrels have suffered some pitting. Since I found the gun wrapped in towels in the rafters of my grandfather's garage many years after he had died, I was not too taken aback by this sad news. The gunsmith told me not to fire it, and smiled as he told me I had a wonderful display gun I could dry fire with the snap caps he provided!
Anybody able to offer some thoughts on this gun? Since I believe it belonged to my great grandfather (I need the letter for verification, of course) I do not intend to part with it. Indeed, I paid good money to have it totally stripped down, cleaned up and put back together again with the hope of firing it. I have wonderful pictures of the gun parts nicely laid out and photographed during the "restoration". But do I now have only a wall hangar? Or is this gun worthy of being fitted with another set of barrels, and at what cost, if they are available? Of lesser worry for now,are the hammer screws available, and how to extract the threaded screw shaft?
Your valuable insights would be greatly appreciated.
Regards:
Michael Collins (also the name of my great grandfather, who likely purchased this gun here in California 127 years ago)
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