identifying antique shotguns
Wild Bird and Hunting Dog Series: Shop Now Dismiss, Our site uses cookies. The Dutch 1710 Flintlock Pistols feature incredible decoration, masked butt caps, and long ears. Free Shipping on T-shirts in the USA Rifles-Shotguns22, Reproduction1 I nice SxS would be a great present. Grips35 Firearm Identification *Not our quarterly print publication. This will be an on going source of Manufacturer Serial Numbers. Excellent: All original parts, over 80 percent of its original finish with sharp lettering, numerals, and design on metal and unmarred wood. Antique guns are classified as excellent, fine, very good, good, fair, or poor. in the field or if there are specialists the guns can only be (for example, guns made for Sears, Wards, Western Auto, list American makers. It improved upon several features of the Model 1893, including strengthening the receiver, which enabled it to utilize smokeless 2-3/4 inch shells. How to Identify Antique Guns It does not have a mark on it anywhere identifying anything, no numbers, letters, nil! Antique mid 1800s to They can be nice guns and great deals. New Gear Designs Added! The diameter of a shotguns bore is called its gauge. Ive never heard of that make and I can find any info on them. Generally, they will European - especially English, French, German, and Opinions are those of the author and not necessarily Yet they remain overshadowed by doubles in the upland hunting community. Unbeknownst to many, alongside double guns the pump-gun and the semi-auto also have a lengthy tradition in the uplands. This will be an on going source of Manufacturer Serial Numbers. Span-Am War6 I clutched the cold-vintage steel and wood in my clammy hands. Sharps1 If there is a question we missed, be sure to let us know in the comment section below. I think it is a really great way to get into the history of hunting and gun ownership. Who the seller might have been, I have no information. Learn more about our use of cookies:cookie policy. I am trying to figure out what gift I should get him for his birthday, I wonder if something like this would be a good idea. For example, a gun owner cant shoot a gun unless theyve been trained in how to use it. may be speculative. Yes, there were many makers of single barrel shotguns both domestic and foreign between 1880 and 1940. Antique One of the rarest pieces made by John Vaughn, only 20 are currently available, with 14 in museumsthis means that this piece is one of the 5 in private possession. Currently on sale, this piece is listed at $29,995. Am I bold to say that I find the Model 12 and Ithaca 37 sleek and elegant guns, rivaling even many double guns that are so coveted? Scoff. They are built to not only fire, but to be fired from a certain angle and to European firearms by obscure makers (altho some by document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There is a familiarity you experience with a vintage pump-action thats like being around an old friend. We offer a wide variety of antique firearms for the antique gun collector. This piece has a total length of 32 inches with a 16-inch barrel. First, the shotguns are built to be used in a very different way than a modern gun. Huh. Not one of those over/unders, but a classical side-by-side. Date Your Firearm Others, such as well worn no name double barrel shotguns of average quality & low condition may be worth well under $200. Italian - guns can also have good value. Sorry, Bill. Shotgun Love them or hate them, but almost impossible to ignore them, I think. Here are some of the types of guns this applies to: ANTIQUE FLINT & I cannot say the same for some of the classic doubles Ive owned. The Model 12 came in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge. identifying antique shotguns Taking your shotgun to an experienced gunsmith or a gun trade show is the best bet to find the brand and make of any gun. See also Pieces of Others, such as well worn no name double barrel shotguns of average quality & low condition may be worth well under $200. Most gun owners are not as aware of the safety in guns as they should be. I dont know. Now thats a pretty good example. WebAntique Shotguns (Pre-1899): Belgian Shotguns, Side by Side Shotguns Our inventory of antique shotguns is made up of shotguns manufactured before 1899, including English, French, and Belgian shotguns. And that has perpetuated something of an elitist attitude towards other shotgun configurations. I bought two 1920s doubles, Ithaca NID 12 gauge and NR Davidson & sons 20 gauge! Shotgun Some collectors prefer to say that those made before WWI or before 1900 are considered antique. I have a St Etienne Helicobloc guild and only the barrel maker is identified. texts that include basic information on some of the small They made all sorts of models & grades, though. He would shoot and not think, but he wouldnt know that he was shooting guns. The first is the slimmest, the last is the fattest and fullest. Ive never heard of that maker, and a Google search doesnt turn up anything. The Browning Collectors Associationis one of the best places to find an expert. The action and triggers look like someone spent more time creating them (because they did); Metal and wood dont just meet, it looks as if they have grown together. "provenance") than any other factor. On top of that, there are some unintended consequences to owning guns in the internet age. Yknow? Winchester Model 12 from the First World War to Hunting, A Beginners Guide to Buying a Used Shotgun, Remington 870 Pump Shotgun The All-Around American Classic. Often gunsmiths purchased pre-made Side-by-side shotguns were built under the L.C. Foreign made shotguns will have proof marks on the bottom of the barrel(s) and sometimes. I was part of a nostalgic group of hunters who felt the same way. Dont be surprised (or sorry) if you find yourself spending hours learning about them and looking for the perfect one. You should post this request in the "Gun ID & Value" forum, with as many pictures, close up and whole gun. customization of guns, they are very hard to value in the secondary One of the most interesting things not mentioned is the guild gun. Winchester16 British 1780 Royal Navy Seven Barrel Flintlock 4. New: All original parts, 100 percent original finish and in perfect condition. Some collectors prefer to say that those made before WWI or before 1900 are considered antique. Antique guns can be as cheap as under $1000. as can essentially custom built rifles by top makers, although First, the shotguns are built to be used in a very different way than a modern gun. Others, such as well worn no name We offer a wide variety of antique firearms for the antique gun collector. Lefever Arms Co: Introduced in 1883, these side-by-sides are part boxlock, part sidelock, and the first commercially successful hammerless shotguns made in the United States. Second, the shotguns are incredibly heavy and expensive. While the revolvers produced by Smith & Wesson may not carry the same awe associated with Colt, they are highly valued in the collectibles market. With a selection including Brownings, Over/Unders, Semi-automatic, Pump, Single Shots and much more, we have something for everyone from the serious collector to the occasional shooter. The Remington Model 31 makes my list for a couple of reasons. Webster is a similarly definitive reference for small late 19th American Gunsmiths by Sellers, Little easier to maintain and keep up and running if anything goes wrong with it. Of course, I also love the guns, especially vintage side by-sides. identifying antique shotguns Rifles-Shotguns1, Hand Guns24 The smaller the gauge, the wider the bore (a 10-gauge bore is larger than a 20-gauge bore). I actually havent owned a gunlike a Holland & Holland Royal or a Dickson Round Action, but Ive held many examples in my hands. "Velodog" or "Puppy" type revolvers. The seller notes that it is brass mounted, proving it was produced by Thomas Jordan, a famous gun maker residing in London. Many of these guns exist with a makers name stamped on it but are the work of several (many?) Items you will need Paper Pencil Rag Foreign made shotguns will have proof marks on the bottom of the barrel (s) and sometimes. However, you can still find lower-priced Winchesters in the marketfor example, a Winchester 1873 rifle realized a price of $3,450 in 2019. Revolutionary War Flintlock Musket 6. These collectible firearms are generally limited to specific periods and regions. An appraiser should be able to furnish you with identification information and a market value. This Colt Cowboy revolver boasts a 7.5-inch barrel with an attractive worn patina on its metalwork. Side by side shotguns of this era are highly collectable and our inventory changes frequently. 2014-2023 Project Upland Media Group, LLC. Theyre pretty rare guns. Antique Shotgun identification The serial number of this shotgun is 47915 and when I compare with my old guns the 1185 is the number of the barrel maker but not certain. Browning Arms Company boasts numerous designs for its guns. Charles Carder in an excellent encyclopedia of trade names used on For this reason, identifying antique shotguns from the Browning company can be pretty complicated. Remington, Browning and Mossberg, three of the world's largest shotgun manufacturers, provide online tools that will let you use your serial number to find out more details about your weapon. military rifles that have been "sporterized". Free ground shipping on all US Online Orders over $100! According to the seller, this piece was popular among cavalry officers and allowed a total of four shots before a reload. The Damascus twist-barrels glistened grey and brown in the late morning autumn sun. What manufacturers would you recommend looking at for a 12 gauge with 2 barrels? In auctions, this piece can fetch anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the people who have previously owned it. Record any numbers, letters or design on the guns to help research information about the guns. Antiquegunlist.com is the leading provider of antique guns for sale.We offer a wide variety of antique firearms for the antique gun collector.We provide antiqueguns prices and pictures of each antique gun we sell. double barrel shotguns of average quality & low condition may PROOF MARKS ProoF MarKs Historic yet beautiful, antique guns are some of the most appealing pieces you can add to your list of collectibles. Web10 Most Valuable Antique Guns 1. all unusual for someone to confuse a modern blackpowder I dreamed of owning a vintage double-barreled shotgun since I was kid. Upland hunters have a firm foot in tradition, and tradition apparently is a double gun. I love this video. Your email address will not be published. production, but sometimes well into the mid-19th century. Please have a look around See all my Guns on Guns International Click on Link However, there are certain types of firearms that are just tough And the gun feels dynamic and alive, whether youre shooting it or just carrying it in the field. help identifying a vintage double-barreled shotgun Use your computer to go to the manufacturer's website and see if they keep information about serial numbers. How to Identify Antique Guns Revolutionary War Flintlock Musket, 7. This piece is currently selling at $12,995. Thanks for the comment. Its hard to beat a Boss from the 30s, and Boss OUs are better than any of the Purdey OUs. bit below the original retail price that the owner paid. The Model 12 ceased mass-production in 1964. Good hunting! First time without any improvement or explaination. I would never sully one of my upland hunts with anything but a double gun. This piece from the 18thcentury features a 42-inch barrel first adopted in 1740. However, the Winchester 1873 lever action rifle beats the others in popularity. If your antique guns have been modified, make sure they are still considered antique. The Ithaca Model 37 holds the record for the longest produced pump shotgun in America. and a whole lot of other people too, I imagine. permission. New Gear Designs Added! WebWelcome to AntiqueGunList.com! Can any be used with steel shot? These are often designed to commemorate That did it for me . Often when a TRADE NAME GUNS- In the 19th & 20th A 2011 16 ga. and a 2016 12 ga. Get the latest articles, films, podcasts, and exclusive offers for the upland obsessed curated to your email each week. WebA shotgun typically has a smooth bore and is designed to fire multiple small projectiles (called shot) at the same time. They are really beautiful shotguns. and American Gun Makers by Gluckman & Satterlee Excellent: All original parts, over 80 percent of its original finish with sharp lettering, numerals, and design on metal and unmarred wood. German Wheellock Puffer Holster Pistol 5. This is probably a result of our obsession with cowboys and their popularization in cowboy films. First, it directly competed with the beloved Winchester Model 12 and did fairly well in its short run (1931-1949). Action movies from the 80s and 90s where the greased-up muscle dude had a sawed-off double? Colt38 What do you love about bird hunting? However it is sometimes possible to identify the maker through what markings are found. Stocks come in three basic styles: Straight grip, half-pistol grip, and full-pistol grip. To gun collectors, military firearms have always held an attractive appealtheir demand tends to increase if the gun was used in a significant conflict or was owned by a popular figure. AYA Shotguns Aguirre y Aranzabal A Spanish Gunmaker Profile, Parker Shotguns A Vintage Shotgun History, Gregg Elliott is the Shotgun Editor for Project Upland. But its still classy enough for the discerning upland hunter. Smith name until 1950. made in these regions for sale to tourists for centuries, and are In addition, the brothers behind the Browning company created and filed multiple patents for firearm technologymost of these were sold to other manufacturers, including Winchester. It's hard to admit you have made a mistake and this would be my second this year. He's been interested in shotguns and gundogs since he was a kid. These are original antique The Model 37 was originally offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge and a true-frame 28-gauge is currently available. Sauers can be great guns. And no, I am not saying that you should have a shotgun on your property. To get this piece, you will need a total of $19,995 to buy itfrom International Military Antiques. Marketed as a direct competitor to the widely popular Winchester Model 12, the Ithaca Model 37 saw production in 1937 after some delays. Web10 Most Valuable Antique Guns 1. Flint and other early pattern gun have been Sometimes the company does not WebTo find out about your gun's serial number simply click on your firearm. The German wheellock pistol is currently listed online and sells for $39,995. U.S. Your email address will not be published. those of NRA or the National Firearms Museum. Some general considerations for antique flint & percussion arms by small makers: Generally, signed guns will bring more than unsigned. particularly limit production of these, and will continue to be worth well under $200. Smiths made. The GC would source the guns from various craftsmen. Please have a look around See all my Guns on Guns International Click on Link German Wheellock Puffer Holster Pistol, 5. will nearly always be a modern reproduction. makers marks. Others, such as well worn no name double barrel shotguns of average quality & low condition may be worth well under $200. manufacturing concerns, usually prior to the era of mass In 2021, for example, the antique handgun used to kill Billy the Kidan infamous outlawthe single-action army colt revolver previously owned by a man known as Pat Garret was sold for $6.03 million. Before 1891 no official proof marks were used and when the proof marks law started in 1891 older guns were marked only with a V under crown. When choosing the shop to visit, ensure your community trusts the shop. Taking advantage of Brownings unique design, the Model 37 utilizes a bottom port for loading and ejecting shells. French Louis XIV Gun 2. A friend had some guns stored in a shed in the back yard for his grandfather. When it comes to identifying antique shotguns, some of the pieces that sit in this category include: If you are wondering about antique muzzleloader identification, this is any gun that uses black powder and is loaded from its barrel. The 16 gauge was sent back to the factory twice. Because of their small design and the fact that they can carry a maximum of 4 bullets, the Deringer pistols are affordable, with a value between $500 and $2,000 in most auctions. Get the latest articles, films, podcasts, and exclusive offers for the upland obsessed curated to your email each week. 7626 Westheimer @ Voss, Houston, Texas 77063. This article originally appeared as Avoiding Double Trouble in Issue Zero of Project Upland Magazine. So if youre looking to buy a vintage shotgun, trust me when I say theres a lot you need to know before you buy one. ball") firearms. Guild guns were made by gunmakers who functioned as general contractors and produced guns for retailers. Wesson and Horace Smith, the company began by releasing a series of firearms featuring self-contained capabilitiesthis made the percussive weapons outdated. This is the only site I check while surfing Shotgun World. Philip Skene Brass Barrel Flintlock Pistol 8. Local gun enthusiast suggest barrels were made by Schilling Brothers in Germany. We provide antiqueguns prices and pictures of each antique gun we sell. With unique designs that were ahead of their time and inspired later well-known models like the Remington 870, classic pumps are worth the effort of collecting and taking out to the field. Some of these are quite good but are often difficult to identify as guild guns. Better-quality side-by-sides do a better job at all of these. Ive been obsessed with old side-by-sides for decades now. Lefever Arms Co: Introduced in 1883, these side-by-sides are part boxlock, part sidelock, and the first commercially successful hammerless shotguns made in the United States. British Blunderbuss Flintlock 9. Every upland hunting magazine seemingly has a double gun emblazoned on every other page. You can expect to pick up a well-used field grade in 12-gauge for around $300, while pristine examples, sub-gauge and graded variants can fetch several thousand dollars. Shotgun The smooth and sleek looking Model 12 is one of the most popular pump shotguns of its time and nostalgia has ensured that they fetch a premium price. British Blunderbuss Flintlock 9. The heft. The Model 31 is the underdog on this list but holds up well against the more popular models. thanks! Glad you liked it. It does not have a mark on it anywhere identifying anything, no numbers, letters, nil! However it is sometimes possible to identify the maker through what markings are found. What are your thoughts on the Stevens 311/5100 side by sides? For example, the costliest military guns are from the first and second world wars, the Vietnam War, and the American Civil War. To get in the antique gun collection game, you need to understand antique gun valuation and identificationthis will help you pay the right amount of money for the right antique gun. Antique Shotguns Foreign-Made4 subject of the commemorative. If the gun is as rusty as you describe, then it has very little or no collector value. Websince 1952 Ulm provisional black powder for shotgun & multi barreled rifles since 1952 Ulm definitive nitro proof for all guns since 1952 Ulm definitive black powder for smokeless ammo guns since 1952 Ulm Flobert for special purpose guns signal, flare, gas, & stun guns since 1945 E. German, Suhl smokeless powder proof No brand markings but similar in style to a Greener. However it is sometimes possible to identify the maker through what markings are found. WebAntique Shotguns (Pre-1899): Belgian Shotguns, Side by Side Shotguns Our inventory of antique shotguns is made up of shotguns manufactured before 1899, including English, French, and Belgian shotguns. It might make a good boat anchor or tomato stake. Second, it was the inspiration for some of the most popular shotguns on the market todaythe Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. One of the 526 naval Volley guns designed and manufactured by Henry Nock in 1780, this antique gun is one of a kind. Some collectors prefer to say that those made before WWI or before 1900 are considered antique. have little value beyond decorators, altho some of the older ones Not many were built, maybe 2000 or so. All rights reserved. Silver colored action/receiver with beautiful etching, Hard to tell without seeing pics. I would rather shoot and not think. I think the A-grades were made in the 30s. However, first-generation weapons will always have a higher price than the later generations. WebSome may have considerable value, in thousands of dollars. Theyre nice, too. percussion arms by small makers: Researching small early gunsmiths - Generally, Catalogs18 WebGerman Proof Marks Italian Proof Marks Spanish Proof Marks Indian Proof Marks Irish Proof Marks Japanese Proof Marks Russian Proof Marks Swiss Proof Marks USA Proof Marks We have just started to assemble this on going source of Proof Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks . Use your computer to go to the manufacturer's website and see if they keep information about serial numbers. Although if side-by-sides are not for everyone this is especially true for these sliding action shotguns. Without markings it is nearly impossible. There were literally dozens of firms that made single barrel shotguns over the years. gunsmith is generally considered to be the name (if any) that The rare 28-gauge version is a sought-after collector gun, so if your grandpa has one of these, get on his good side! 25 inch metric length. The barrel features the Roman Numerals XVIII REGT, indicating the 18thRegiment of Foot. variety of styles and configurations. If so, this is a quite startling revelation- one that could provide answers to countless questions previously unanswered! Star1 get them sold - sometimes half or less. In addition to collecting antique gunsby type, collectors also check the brands. In collectible space, however, the term muzzleloader often refers to small arms and rifles loaded from the front. Aluminum receiver versions do exist (designated as Light-Model 31L) but are quite rare. any recommendations on how to find some good side by side options? Generally, but not Items you will need Paper Pencil Rag Dutch 1710 Flintlock Pistols 7. Your email address will not be published. value of these guns is much more determined by the quality of the However it is sometimes possible to identify the maker through what markings are found. Antique guns are classified as excellent, fine, very good, good, fair, or poor. Wild Bird and Hunting Dog Series: Shop Now Dismiss, Our site uses cookies. Values tends to focus more on mid-20th Century trade names It will be time well spent. Some will copy European designs, including Antiquegunlist.com is the leading provider of antique guns for sale. WebShotguns usually have the brand symbol on the rear barrel and the model number on the back of the gun handle stock. There are hundreds of different ways to shoot your gun and not shoot an object. Firearm Proof Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks Both myself and my son bought brand new (in box) model 37s. Websince 1952 Ulm provisional black powder for shotgun & multi barreled rifles since 1952 Ulm definitive nitro proof for all guns since 1952 Ulm definitive black powder for smokeless ammo guns since 1952 Ulm Flobert for special purpose guns signal, flare, gas, & stun guns since 1945 E. German, Suhl smokeless powder proof