20 gauge hammer gun from a small gun show

[Tom Hawkins]

I picked up this little 20 hammer gun at a small Kansas show that had less than 50 tables. The stock had been altered poorly but the inletting for the frame, sideplates, and lower tang were still excellent. I spent a few days mocking up a new stock and sent it with the blank to be duplicated. The maker is Richard Wostatek in Goding or South Moravia. The forend latch is unique as I have seen it on a few other older guns. The barrels are marked Excelsior Witten and are uncut 27.5 inches with a serial number of 157. On the monoblock there is an Austrian eagle with a 3 in the center of the shield. The final proof is June 21, 1899. Because the stock had been fubared, the price was a little more than a hardware single shot. I would like to know what the zero incorporated with the 2 on the top lever and top rib could mean. I would appreciate any helpful information on the maker or gun.

[Dean Romig]

What a pretty little gun Tom!

Congrats!





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[William Woods]

Originally Posted by Tom Hawkins

I picked up this little 20 hammer gun at a small Kansas show that had less than 50 tables. The stock had been altered poorly but the inletting for the frame, sideplates, and lower tang were still excellent. I spent a few days mocking up a new stock and sent it with the blank to be duplicated. The maker is Richard Wostatek in Goding or South Moravia. The forend latch is unique as I have seen it on a few other older guns. The barrels are marked Excelsior Witten and are uncut 27.5 inches with a serial number of 157. On the monoblock there is an Austrian eagle with a 3 in the center of the shield. The final proof is June 21, 1899. Because the stock had been fubared, the price was a little more than a hardware single shot. I would like to know what the zero incorporated with the 2 on the top lever and top rib could mean. I would appreciate any helpful information on the maker or gun.

Maybe it stands for 20gauge?

[B. Dudley]

That is a nice one for sure. I have that same forend on an unmarked 12g. boxlock.

The 2 on the barrel would indicate that it was part of a 2 gun set. Or maybe a 2 bbl set.

Usually though if it is a 2 gun set, the barrels, frame and forend will be marked 1 or 2.

[Tom Hawkins]

Just a follow up on this gun. The stock is getting close but is functional for the dove opener. Based on past experiences I will bring a backup just in case. It pulls up nice and swings easy.

[Harold Pickens]

Similar fore end lever on this 16 ga, unknown maker. Bought it cheap at a gun show. 30 in steel barrels cyl and full, and 6 lbs. Fun gun to shoot. Unable to make out the name stamped on the rib, even with a magnifier.

[charlie cleveland]

nice gun....charlie