I. W. Laird & Co....20 Hammer..

[Jerry VanHorn]

Mr.Rise..Thanks..I haven't found much on the maker. Found 2 other guns..a 410 hammer sold in the UK at auction..and a much later hammerless sidelock. I see what you mean about the firing pin..and your suggestion is probably best..I haven't seen many 20 hammer guns anywhere ,......so I thought I'd take a chance...

[C.O.B.]

Small bore hammer guns are hard to find. If the barrels are sound I think you have found your self a very nice gun.

[Jerry VanHorn]

The barrels are going out in the AM..and new firing pins are going to be made. I talked with a man at Hill Rod and Gun..and he was nice enough to tell me a few pointers. I assumed that the 20 stamped inside a diamond on the flats was just the gauge..Seems that the UK used a system that used the original barrel measurements to mark the work. He said a 20 bore could be stamped with a 20..a 30..or even a 40. Each number has a figure to use in determining the wall thickness of THAT particular barrel mark...20..In this case.. he said the bores should measure between .615 and .626 measured 9" from the muzzle. Leave it to the Brits to complicate things !..So..I'll know soon enough..Like I said..Fingers crossed !..

[C.O.B.]

Good luck with it. I'd sure like to see some more pics of it.

[Jerry VanHorn]

If the barrels are good..I'll have the checkering recut..if they're bad ??