Attn. SxS shotgun gurus...

Tyroma

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Hey Guys...

Just had a nice old sxs Cambridge Arms shotgun fall into my lap, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it. It is a 12ga, hammer gun with Belgian proofs. I did a search online, but couldn't find any info on the company.

I will get some pics and post them later. Would also LOVE to have an idea of worth.

Thanks

Ty
 
cambrige arms hmm thats the company who made the "ZULU" 12ga shotguns out of old .75 cal muzzleloading muskets9not so safe buy the way thay have 2.5" chambers and modern loads tend to send the breech block into the shooters eye)

id check to see if it has 2 1/2" chambers take a fired 2 3/4" and see if it fits (i say fired becuase a crimped 2 3/4" will fit but when fired part of the crimp gets sent into the forcing cone this makes the PSI rise and could be a problem)

i dont know much else about cambridge arms guns other then the zulu shotgun not being safe with modern loadings theres really not much info on them like most belgian makers of the time
 
I'm not sure at this point but I am thinking it is a trade brand shotgun made in Belgium for some retail merchant. This was done in great numbers back then and there is a very long list of trade brand shotguns. We know it was made in Belgium because you say it has Belgian proof marks. If it has ELG in an oval, then it is black powder proof only. It should have PV marked on it if it is proofed for the nitro loads of the time. It most likely has short chambers unless they were lengthend. This gun should not be fired with modern loads of any kind . It should not be shot at all until checked out by a good gunsmith or such who knows old double barrels. It is very likely that it has twist or laminated steel barrels. If safe to shoot, I would only use black powder loads or the low pressure loads for vintage guns from Polywad or RST. Can you post pics of the proof marks?
 
Here is the info I was looking for. It is taken from shotgun world. As far as worth, unfortunately it's not worth much. You might get $200.00 at best depending on condition and that would be pushing it. If it were a fairly well known Belgian maker, or an old English double, it would have considerably more value.



I have an antique firearm that no one can tell me anything about. It is early 1900's. It is a Cambridge Arms Co. double barrel 12 gauge, side by side hammer gun. There are two numbers on the gun 20419 and G21. There is also an oval on the inside of the barrel with an E on top and LG on the bottom of the oval and on top of the oval is a crown. I have not been able to find out anything, i would appreciate it if any one can give me any information on this shotgun. No one has heard of Cambridge Arms Co., but i know it existed at one time because it has that on the shotgun.



Nope, there never was a Cambridge Arms co. It is a tradename used by a hardware store or other retailer.

Your gun has Belgian proofs "oval on the inside of the barrel with an E on top and LG on the bottom of the oval and on top of the oval is a crown".

Unfortunately, the history on it as far as maker , retailer, and quality are sketchy at best.




The problem is that no one knows who made the old gun. Importers like Folsom imported Belgian doubles by the barrel load and stamped any name on them the buyer wished. They were made by any of the hundreds of Belgian exporters and varied in quality from absolute junk to servicable but crudley finished clunkers made to sell for less than $10.00- AFTER paying a 100% import tax. I wish I, or anyone, had a complete list of who made what, when they made it or for whom it was made; unfortunatley, no such list exists.
 
Hey...

Thanks for the info, here are some pics...

Camb1.jpg

Camb2.jpg

Camb3.jpg

Camb4.jpg

Camb5.jpg

Camb6.jpg

Camb7.jpg

Camb8.jpg
 
Your gun is as thought, a trade brand gun. It is proofed for black powder only and is 12 gauge. Chamber length should be measured. It appears to be a laminated steel barrel and from the one pic of the complete gun, it possibly has been reblued . Can't really tell from the pic. If it was reblued and was done with the modern hot caustic method, I would be very concerned. If you plan at all on shooting this gun, as mentioned it should be first checked out. Aside from what the barrels/action might be like, I would be concerned about the cracks in the wrist of the stock. I would say value of around $100.00--maybe $150.00.
 
I've just signed on after being away for a few days, so I'm reading not researching tonight but it could well have been made by Pieper. They trademarked literally dozens of brand names to supply to the NA market. Sometime on the week end I'll see what I have listed.
 
Your gun is as thought, a trade brand gun. It is proofed for black powder only and is 12 gauge. Chamber length should be measured. It appears to be a laminated steel barrel and from the one pic of the complete gun, it possibly has been reblued . Can't really tell from the pic. If it was reblued and was done with the modern hot caustic method, I would be very concerned. If you plan at all on shooting this gun, as mentioned it should be first checked out. Aside from what the barrels/action might be like, I would be concerned about the cracks in the wrist of the stock. I would say value of around $100.00--maybe $150.00.

Thanks again for all the info. As for your concern, I have NO plans on shooting it. It belonged to a buddy, whose father used it to shoot rabbits when he was a kid (...probably with 2 3/4" modern loads...yikes!) Will likely be selling it soon, as a collectable or wallhanger. any interest?

Ty
 
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