Hammerguns are arguably the most artistic version of a fine double. The British really evolved the form on these types of guns and their examples can be pretty spectacular (go look on Vintage Doubles sometime, Kirby's got some great examples there). Domestic hammers were not commonly produced to that level here, but we came close with several makers (Parker seems to be the most prominent, followed by Smith). When my larder is full-enough and the weather supports it, I put away my "modern" weapons and drag my hammer guns afield to add another component of interest to the hunt.
Everything has to be nearly perfect to succeed (the aforementioned weather, field conditions, & you), but when it works it is very satisfying...
This very early Lang started life as a pinfire.
Hammerguns can also be alot of fun on a sporting clays range. They do need to be fairly substantial (to handle the shot volume and to sop-up all of that recoil) but when a proper version is found, they will really stand out amongst the guns of your fellow shooters.
This big & heavy Ithaca NIG has a 32-inch tubeset that weighs 5-lbs all by itself.
This gun closely mimics the weight and dimensions of my far-more conventional stackbarrel target gun.
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