New 1893 DH 12 ga
Hi everyone,
It has been a couple of years since I've been on this (or the Fox Collectors) site. Been bitten hard by the double rifle bug, but got reacquainted with vintage shotguns duck hunting down on VA's Eastern Shore this winter. I've had a smattering of old American doubles including a wand of a 16ga Sterlingworth with #3, 30" bbls; both a VH and Repro 28 ga and some less mentionables. Sadly I parted with these at one time or another.
Last Monday I played hookey from work and made a couple hour drive to inspect a DH which was offered on GB without bids. After some haggling with the consignor, we struck a deal. I might have overpaid a bit as I haven't kept up with the market, but I'm pretty comfortable judging condition and mechanics and this one seemed too good to pass up for $2K. Love to hear some feedback on that front.
Here are some of the particulars. . .
12ga, 30" damascus barrels with absolutely mirror chambers and bores. Mic out with min wall thickness of ~35thou, and never been honed. There are no dents, pitting and they ring like a chime. Pattern is incredible and they've not been refinished. Spent two hours cleaning out RIG which they were packed with long ago when the gun was put up.
Checkering and wood to metal fit is superb. The head shows a small amount of oil soaking evidenced by a little discoloration but all-in-all is quite minimal. Stock has never been refinished as far as I can tell and if I look closely in good light I can see some very fine crazing (sort of like the enamel on old china).
SBP was unfortunately cut and there is a decaying pad. LOP is ~13 7/8 (I usually shoot 14.25" but for ducks I'll have a coat. Drop is big at a hair over 3" but I've learned to shoot that before without too much problem.
There is the tiniest bit of wiggle with the forearm off; will capture a dollar bill tightly and I was able to remove all play with a piece of 0.001 shim stock on the hook.
Screws have never been turned and all are pretty much indexed appropriately.
Engraving is crisp and to my liking. Not much of case colors left except in protected areas.
I may put a Silvers pad on, or even a leather covered pad. Not a collector but a pretty old gun and look forward to playing with it some more with low pressure loads!
Bill
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