Keep Bros???? Anyone?

[MadDog]

Here's a pic of my great grandfathers flintlock. Hopefully it'll be leaving my uncles house soon and making it's way over to my house. It's made by Keep Bros and I can't find anything on the gun on the net. Google let me down. Anyone know anything about these guns or a link to finding something on it?

 

[tiriaq]

Its a percussion shotgun with a back action lock. Looks English, likely Birmingham made. Any marks on the barrel breech? Remove the rod, push out the key that secures the barrel, and see if there are any marks under the woodline.
The name might refer to the maker, but could also be a retailer.

 

[MadDog]

Not sure, the gun ain't here yet, if all goes right it should be in a week or two. My uncle just sent me the pics yesterday. I'll check for sure once I get it though.

 

[tiriaq]

Looks to be in pretty nice condition. Being a family gun, do you know when it was last fired?

 

[MadDog]

Apparently my uncle took it to a smith who told him theres nothing wrong with it if he wanted to fire it but I don't think I ever would, be scared to bust it.

It was probably last fired back in the 40's or 50's cause I've got pics dating back that far with my grandfather holding more modern guns. I imagine this old girl never got fired much after the smokeless powder came out.

 

[nessy357]

Nice looking fowler, X2 what tiriag said. If a gunsmith said it was OK , I would shoot it.You don't have to stoke them up , you can keep the loads down to shoot them. Horsehair and cardboard wads are still available, if you want to shoot it.
Cheers nessy.

 

[Smokepole]

Yep, what they said... Looks to be in great condition. I have one similiar, but maybe not so nice condition that I shoot on a regular basis. It is a great little gun. Modern guns with the extra weight and length of the action, magazines and spings and levers etc. can not compare to its lightness and ease of handling.
As smokeless powders and cartridge guns became popular (even in rural areas) around the turn of the century, or a little before, I would say it may have been a lot longer than the 40's or 50's since it was in use.

 

[MadDog]

I would say it may have been a lot longer than the 40's or 50's since it was in use.

Oh, I have no doubt it could have been long before that, only problem is that I've got nobody to ask anymore. It was my great grandfathers gun and my grandfather has been gone for over 20 years now. Got a couple nice old pics of the old days though. The old percussion shotgun is nowhere in any of them though, mind you that gun was most likely in the closet and the new guns were all out by then.

Here's my great grandfather keeping his eye on the boys, thats my grandfather in behind him on the meatsaw.

My grandfather with his Rem 14 and my great uncle with an old Winchester.

 

[tiriaq]

What - no 99s?

 

[MadDog]

Apparently quality and good taste didn't run in the family!!!!