Help With ID

[jpc]

She appear to be a 9 Bore with a hooked breech.

Barrel is 34" long

Not familiar with the name on the lock. BUSHILL



take care and thanks

jpc

 

[drslav]

edit

 

[tacfoley]

Not a 'British gun' but an English gun - at that time both Scotland and Ireland were also making a goodly number of guns.

Thos. Bushill was a gunmaker and gun component maker, listed in the 1849 Gun Trade directory as being based in ct5, New Canal Street Birmingham. 'ct5' means a very small workshop, actually 'court premises number 5' - big enough for a one-man operation, and one of many such shops in the area, which is smack bang in the old gunmakers' quarter.

tac

 

[tiriaq]

Did the gun ever have a ramrod? Live pigeon guns were often made without. I suspect that the barrel was originally longer.

 

[tacfoley]

No obvious signs of a ramrod - no pipes and no hole in the forend either. I'd say no.

tac

 

[jpc]

tac is correct. There are no signs of it ever being fitted with a ramrod and thank you for your input gentlemen.☺

 

[tacfoley]

It's screaming out for some TLC - that is actually quite a lovely piece. With the metal given some non-abrasive TLC and the woodwork ditto, that would be a fine-looking wall-hanger, or even if, if was professionally examined and found suitable, a lovely vintage shooter.

tac

 

[jpc]

What is the meaning of the 'stars' between the proof marks?

 

[tacfoley]

View marks - in other words, assessment stamps showing that the gun has been examined for compliance with the declared standards of workmanship and fitness for purpose, as we would say these days.

The number that goes with them identifies the actual inspector, not by name, but by grade. 1 is the Proof Master, 2 the deputy and so on.

tac

 

[jpc]

Thanks tac ☺☺☺