British Side Lock -- Value?

[Grouser]

I have acquired a 12 bore E Palmer (Stroud, Kent) Side Lock. 28" Damascus barrels that are nitro proofed for 1 1/8 oz. Mirror bright bores no pitting in chambers or bores. Had it checked out by a British trained Smith who gave it a clean bill of health. The gun has 2 1/2" chambers and I have shot it with Kent True Gold 2 1/2 low pressure felt wad ammo. Makinson (spelling?)suggests that the chambers could safely be extended to 2 3/4 which I have no intention of doing.
Features: Side Lock, gas Bleeds, Hammerless, intercepting sears, Ext, auto safe & cocking indicators. Any opinions on value?

 

[catnthehatt]

I'm not familiar with the Palmer shotguns, but my two cents would be to keep it in 2 1/2" and hand load brass cases for it with smokeless or use plastic cases and get an adapter for a Mec600JR to do that.:>)
It's a great looking shotgun.
Cat

 

[Grouser]

Thanks Cat -- was looking in to brass but intend to roll crimp.
Cheers, John

 

[gunsaholic]

Not much out there on Palmer shotguns. It is a nice looking double. I too would not lengthen the chambers.

 

[Grouser]

Not much out there on Palmer shotguns. It is a nice looking double. I too would not lengthen the chambers.

I do have a sketchy history of the Palmer family and I agree on keeping the chamber length.
Cheers, John

 

[canvasback]

John, not sure if you have done this already but if you post the same question on DG forums, one of the English fellows (forget which) may post the Internet Gun Club info on Palmer.

James

 

[Grouser]

Thanks James!
Have done that and received info -- there were a couple of inquiries about box locks around the net -- E palmer's forerunner William started the business in 1797 -- E Palmer made guns in the 1880's through 1908 -- from records this gun was made in March 1906 as near as I can tell.
Cheers, John

 

[catnthehatt]

Thanks Cat -- was looking in to brass but intend to roll crimp.
Cheers, John

Roll crimping is about as easy as shooting brass- I do both and fold crimp at times as well.
Really like the roll crimps because i can write the road on the overshot wad.:>)
Cat

 

[hogiron]

that's a nice looking shotgun, but the stock looks uncomfortably short.

 

[Mike Webb]

Nice gun. I notice the Damascus pattern on the barrels. Is it real laminate or imitation? I had a 16 gauge boxlock by WM. POWELL AND SONS, RYGATE and it had 1902 British nitro proofs and appeared to be Damascus but I was told it was not.

 

[Grouser]

Nice gun. I notice the Damascus pattern on the barrels. Is it real laminate or imitation? I had a 16 gauge boxlock by WM. POWELL AND SONS, RYGATE and it had 1902 British nitro proofs and appeared to be Damascus but I was told it was not.

Mike, I too have heard of imitation Damascus -- Austen Estabrooks upon seeing it, thought it might be imitation. The barrels show no indication of any twist marks. I shot low pressure Kent pure gold's at skeet on New Years Day and it worked fine.
Cheers, John