Help ID this double barrel shotgun

[Thuriaz]

I've been offered first crack at this apparently antique double barrel caplock but have no idea as to it's value or age.
Any help the board can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Detailed photos here

http://s884.beta.photobucket.com/user/thuriaz/library/J A Harper

Thanks

 

[antiqueguy]

looks like a wall hanger for sure the barrels have alot of rust and most likely have bad pitting near the already paper thin muzzles

cant really see the proof marks mix of bad eyes and small pic

 

[mooncoon]

I have a reference to a James Harper, 1850 - 1865, of 85 Weyman Street, London and who is listed as making percussion pepperboxes and flat bar hammer percussion revolvers. Your gun appears to have Birmingham proofs, but maybe it was made by a relative. The time period I am guessing is between 1840 and 1860 or so. You should try to clean the rust out of the barrel and hone them a bit. If the pitting is not too deep, you might be able to shoot it. Your muzzles look fairly thin and I would think you would want them to be at least .020" thick. I would suggest taking it to a gunsmith who is knowledgeable of black powder and antiques and get an opinion from him. If the smith is a modern gun only person, his answer will be an automatic no it will blow up. You will have to replace the nipples and the threads are probably 1/4 x26 which is british national fine as well as a metric pitch of 1 mm (I think) Don't assume that the diameter is going to be an automatic .250 and I would suspect the threads would need to be chased out to fresh metal and an oversize nipple thread used

cheers mooncoon

 

[tiriaq]

Typical British double, most likely Birmingham made. Ordinary quality when made.
Bores might respond to a good scrubbing.
I'd suggest $150 - $200.