Old double barrel 12, info and resto advice.

[Call_to_Arms]

Hey guys.
I hope this is in the right area, i was going to put it in the antique and blackpowder area but there was guys in there talking about flintlocks and derringers and it didnt seem to fit in. I have in my hands an old shotgun that has been passed down through the family, it spent atleast 20 years in my fathers closet and god only knows how many years in my grandfathers closet. I was told as a boy it was a "wall hanger" because "It wasnt safe to fire". I got a look at it the other day and it didnt look as bad as my younger uneducated eyes remembered it, so I have decided to have a closer look. I am going to give you the information I have, the pics, then I will ask my questions below. We have an exposed hammer 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, written on either side below the hammers is Acme Arms Co Belgium. it has light checkering on the stocks, some on the steel and on the barrels around the breech. The butt plate is steel, checkered with no writting. On top of the barrels is written in very fine writting Belgiun Fine Demascus. Now, the problems, The stock is cracked right in half at the pistol grip, it is being held together with the trigger guard screws. The left hammer and trigger #### and fire fine, the right one will #### but as you release you thumb from the hammer it releases, but it does ingage some. It still locks up like a vault door, thats nice. No blueing, its brown, some light rust in places, im not to concerned with it.

So, questions.
How old is this?
Was it made in Belgium?
What is it worth? or what can they be worth?
Is it safe to fire? and with what?
Can it be fixed?
Is it worth fixing?
How do i fix it?

I am not concerned with putting it through a blueing tank, my father would like for it to be functional again. I am confident I can repair the stock, it is the trigger mechanism that concerns me. Thanks for looking, if I left any info out please feel free to ask and ill provide whatever I can.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

Glue the stock, oil the metal. It's worth $100

 

[577/450]

Check the chamber depth probably 2.5 and if you decide to shoot it find the appropriate loads, general thoughts on damascus barels is that they will not stand up to modern loads. Enjoy.

 

[John303]

I agree with MS on value fixed or not. All the things wrong with it are reparable but not cost effective unless you can do the work.

The barrels were likely browned in the first place so a good oiling using 0000 steel wool would fix that - and the rest of the metal also.

The stock seems to be all there so gluing it together should not be too challenging unless the wood is oil soaked - would need to get rid of the oil first. --- John

 

[gunsaholic]

It will be a Belgian made gun. Photos of the proof marks on the barrel flats will help narrow down the year it was made. Is it safe to shoot? It depends on how badly pitted the bores are and how deep the pits go into the damascus. Definately not made for modern smokeless ammo. You will have to remove the sideplate to see what is wrong with the hammer not functioning properly. Is it worth putting money into---NO. Value as already mentioned is $100.00 as a wall hanger.

 

[Claybuster]

Whoever told you it was a "wall hanger" was right. The Belgians made thousands of these guns for export and they were sold very cheaply in North American hardware stores. Acme and Crescent are among the two most common brands. Double gun fans often call them JABC -- Just Another Belgian Clunker.

This one is in poor condition. It is off the face, the stock is a write-off and there are probably more problems inside. In its current state I would not fire this gun nor would I be nearby anyone who did.

It is possible to fix any gun. This one would take thousands to maybe get it in firing condition.

 

[Call_to_Arms]

Thanks for the input guys, pretty much what I expected to hear. Like I said, I am pretty sure I can take care of the stock on my own, the real issue is the right hammer. How do I get it open, it looks like the pins on the side plates are peened, will they need to.be removed.and replaced? I.forgot to mention that the bores are in good shape.

 

[mk3]

I have an old SxS shotgun too. To get the side plates off just unscrew the screw on the fourth picture down (left hand side of the shotgun). This should hold both sideplates on by going right through the stock. You may need to jiggle each side a bit carefully if they are snug but that should open it up.

If it is not catching your problem may be the block is worn down. I have no clue how you would fix that though.

The one I have is 'JABC' too, but in great condition except for the stock ... I have carefully fired it and it was a hoot. At any rate, enjoy it for being a part of your family history!