1880's Belgian 12ga

[mike116]

I was walking out of a gun show a couple months ago and noticed this old shotgun hidden under some junk at one of the tables.   Stopped and asked bout it,  it had a $200 tag on it.   I was joking with the gal at the table that I thought it said $20 not $200.   She thought I was serious and countered with $25.   Of course I gave her $25 and took it home with me.     It's a cheap old hardware store gun but it locks up tight and everything functions well.  Someone sanded the stock so most of the metal is proud of the wood and the checkering is sanded flat.  The right side hammer screw has been replaced with a hardware store metric screw but it works OK.   I'll find a correct screw somewhere.   I think it's a shootable piece but I'll probably mount it in a vise and bag it down to fire it the first few rounds.    I'm going to load some brass shells myself so the loads will remain light.

[ssb73q]

Hi Mike, what a neat find, congratulations. Did you have to go through a background check?

I would love to find a shotgun like that!

Regards,
Richard

[mike116]

Thanks Richard.   No BGC on this one since it was made before 1898.   These old shotguns are getting harder to find at decent prices.  I think the lady at the gun show was just wanting to sell something.   Gun shows are pretty dead around here since the election turned out the way it did.   $200 would not have a bad price.   It's hard to find a complete one for less than $300 nowadays.   I remember when $100 was a lot to pay for an antique scattergun.

[Hawg]

   I remember when $100 was a lot to pay for an antique scattergun.

Paid 68 bucks for the last one I bought off gunbroker but it's been a minute or two.  I paid 75 for my Elsie but it's been a lot longer than a minute. 

[mike116]

I can't believe I didn't buy a couple of them back then.  Even the L. C. Smith's and Parker's were cheap.

[mike116]

Here's a few more photos.
First one is a repair I made to the stock just below the right lock plate.  Had to inlet the front part of the lock.





Here it is broke open.

[mike116]

Now I need to order some shells and wads for it.   Brass shells are about a buck each,  not too bad compared to 10ga shells.  Wads are cheap but I need to find someone who loads lead shot.   I don't need 25 pounds but I guess I'll buy a bag full if I have to.  Five pounds would get me started.

[toot]

GOD I rely love these old rabbit ear dbl. guns. please keep em, coming.

[jaxenro]

So have you shot it yet? I have an 1889 Remington I am slowly sourcing all the missing parts for the action and barrels were good but most of the rest was missing

[mike116]

So have you shot it yet? I have an 1889 Remington I am slowly sourcing all the missing parts for the action and barrels were good but most of the rest was missing

Yep Jaxenro,  I have fired it.   Here's the thread I wrote about it  http://blackpowdersmoke.com/colt/index.php/topic,2491.0.html
I'm working on another one now.  An 1890's 16ga. I picked up for $50 bucks a couple months ago.