1850s German SxS

[Jay Oliver]

I was shooting sporting clays today with a Parker and this 1850s German muzzleloader. It is a 15 gauge with 34” barrels that have been refinished by Breck Gorman. When I got the gun there wasn’t any finish left on the barrels, Breck turn them into functioning art.

I was reminded how much I enjoy these early guns. No need to worry about finding the right shells. You can’t help but slow down and enjoy the experience. They work too…I would say I shot it just was well as I shoot any cartridge gun.

I was shooting 3 1/4 drams of 2f Goex and 1oz. of shot(this is a great load in this gun). In certain hunting situations it would be just as easy to load bismuth as it is to load lead. I also think they represent a good value in the vintage gun market as they are just not in high demand.

I love the engraving on the trigger guard of this gun(which I have shared in the past). Nothing like loading your shotgun with your dog at your side.

It was nice to take a stroll in the past and shoot a gun our beloved Parkers were replacing. I would recommend trying if you have never shot one before…

[Matt Buckley]

Very cool gun Jay. Breck did a great job on those barrels.

[charlie cleveland]

wow...that's a work of art....charlie

[Aaron Beck]

Thats pretty cool. isnt there an old sporting print where a new "sport" is chatting with an old timer who has a full strap of birds? The old timer carries a muzzle loader and the sport one of them new fangled cartridge guns. No doubt they work well.

[Jay Oliver]

Aaron, that would be a great print to have. When I was shooting it yesterday, I felt obligated to say something like: "Cartridge guns are just a passing fad..."

[edgarspencer]

I can attest to the effectiveness of Jays gun, load, and ability. As I might have said before, Jay even makes a miss exciting.
I was shooting one of those cartridge guns, but my dead birds were not as entertaining.