Old smooth bore black powder

[Acagedrebel]

my neighbor was throwing this old gun out and I retrieved it he said he thought it was civil war era but not for sure .. anyone have any ideas on the make or model .. I know it’s a smooth bore I dont know it that helps any and also there looks to be writing on the side plate but I can’t make it out ..

 

[Fat]

...12 gauge shotgun, I think.
I bet someone knows brand name and lots more info. It’s a neat find!

 

[Retired Sarge]

Options are to break it down, and to give the metal a good wiping with oil soaked 0000 steel wool. Once oiled/cleaned check for proof marks etc on the barrels.

A gentle cleaning with oily 0000 steel wool, won't remove the patina, but will help remove rust and years of crud build-up. You can take furniture polish and wipe the wood down to give it some moisture back into it.

Another option is to join a black powder rifle forum and seek help from them. While they can usually ID a rifle from its appearance etc, they'll still need to know any markings on it.

Cool find and I look forward to seeing it cleaned up a bit.......

 

[Sheperdess]

Nice Save!

 

[Tinhorn2]

my neighbor was throwing this old gun out WHAT

 

[DCMatt]

. You can take furniture polish and wipe the wood down to give it some moisture back into it.

Cool find and I look forward to seeing it cleaned up a bit.......

I use Howard's Feed & Wax on my 1849 musket. After cleaning off the years of grim, I used a generous helping of the stuff. I hit it again every 6 months or so and the wood still drinks the oil like a thirsty diesel.

Gives a nice rich luster to the wood and brings out the grain. Smells good, too. It's available at Home Depot.

 

[BAW]

Your shotgun is a typical Belgian muzzleloader of the late 19th century. This type was made in huge quantities in many large and small shops and imported into the U.S. and sold for a few dollars apiece. It is possibly as early as the Civil war , but is more likely a few decades later. This type was offered for sale into the 20th century, and a similar one is shown in the 1902 Sears mail-order catalog. No doubt if you disassembled it you would find Belgian "ELG" proofmarks on the underside of the barrels, but I would not necessarily recommend it. The wood around the barrel wedge has failed, or perhaps the barrel tenon has come loose, and the barrels are now held to the stock with what appears to be a friction-fit band. which would have to be driven off to remove the barrels. Before you attempt to do this, think about whether you can do it without breaking anything, and whether you can get it back together again.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Like BAW said, it's most likely Belgian made, these are what's known as "Hardware Store" guns, you'll find them with different names on them that are always the importer or the store that sold them. Yours is a pretty fancy one with the engraved locks! It's really cool, I'd love to do a conservation on it. My neighbors never throw out anything cool though. If you decide to clean and conserve it, send me a message I'll give you some good tips on cleaning and preserving the finish, and whatever repairs it might need. Whatever you do, keep the steel wool and wire brushes away from it!

It won't ever be a shooter again, but it can be brought back to a really nice looking piece.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I've got an old Belgian double too. Black powder so can't shoot it. Too old and weak also.
This one has been in my family since the 20's. Made in 1890's. Caliber is ".44 shot". An all brass shotgun shell that is slightly larger than a modern .410. Just a wall hanger now. My dad "restored" it. Note the ELG proof mark signifying Liege, Belgium, on the barrel. Gary

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I use Howard's Feed & Wax on my 1849 musket. After cleaning off the years of grim, I used a generous helping of the stuff. I hit it again every 6 months or so and the wood still drinks the oil like a thirsty diesel.

Gives a nice rich luster to the wood and brings out the grain. Smells good, too. It's available at Home Depot.

View attachment 1924478

The wood on my antiques is really dry. I may try it.

 

[yaxthri]

Nice find. I'd like to have your neighbours living next to me during spring cleaning hahaha