An Unusual Percussion Double

T

tiriaq

Super Moderator
Moderating Team
Rating - 100%
250   0   0
This is a factory made gun using an iron frame, rather than the usual configuration.
I think it might be a Whitney variant. Whitney made iron framed single and double barreled percussion muzzleloading shotguns ca. 1870. The Whitney design was similar to this, but somewhat different. The Whitney patent date is from the same time period as this one, although the dates are different..
The barrels hook into the iron receiver, and then a screw down from the top forces a locking arm which engages semi circular cuts on the bottom of the barrel lugs to draw the barrels back against the frame, locking them to the receiver. Loosen one screw and the barrels can be removed. The ramrod channel in the forend was cut with a router. Simple forend attachment.
Serial number 35. Patent date Aug. 25, 1868.
I'm confident the gun was American made with an eye to economy working gun market.
Nipples need replacement. The gun needs a good, respectful cleaning. Bores at the muzzle are about .715".
Any suggestions?
IMG_2076.JPG Tight
IMG_2084.JPGIMG_2083.JPGIMG_2082.JPGIMG_2078.JPGIMG_2079.JPGIMG_2080.JPG
 
I have not yet disassembled the action. Removed the buttplate - the stock is retained by a nut engaging a threaded rod. I'll probably have to make a socket type wrench to engage the nut. All screws have turned out easily. Don't know that the nipples will - sometimes these can be a bit of a challenge. One might be repairable, but the other is broken. Dry firing, no doubt. A good penetrant, a properly fitting wrench and patience might do the job.
 
That certainly is “interesting”. Not sure I would agree that the forend was routed for the ramrod, looks hand done to me but I don’t have the item “in hand” and pictures don’t always show some details snd also can punctuate details. Thanks for sharing. Never seen anything like that before.
 
The ramrod channel is cleanly cut, radiused on the bottom and finished with a radius. Pretty sure the groove was cut with a single pass with a rotating router style bit.
 
tiriaq said:
The ramrod channel is cleanly cut, radiused on the bottom and finished with a radius.
Click to expand...
Easily done with scrapers. It could very well be done with a router but, based on the picture, I would think not. However, like I said, with the piece in hand I may see it differently. A big clue would be if the termination (toward the action) is rounded like it was made with a router but it vertical as if the radius terminus has vertical sides it was likely made with a drill and from the pic, it appears to show evidence of a circle on the floor of the groove as would be left from a drill bit. I dunno.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom