doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Inhereated a SxS

I recieved this shotgun and know nothing about it. It is a JP Claubough & Bros 12 ga. Everything on it is marked 1912, (is this the SN#) San Fransico Laminated Steel. Under the forend with the stamp marks is the # 11. 30" barrels. It is a side lock with hammers
The wood is decent and it locks up tight. There is some browning or toning on the barrels but nothing that is considered pitted.
Is it a shootable gun and if so what type of shells or reloads.
Any value to this piece.
thanks for your time

Perhaps you should double check the spelling on your shotgun. Could it be CLABROUGH rather than Claubough? Also look for William Golcher who handled SF sales.

You will need to better describe the shotgun or post photos for
more information. Appears these were made in Birmingham, England and many various grades and options were offered.

This J P Clabrough(?) shotgun appears to be about mid-level in quality since there's some engraving.
Your statement that it "locks up tight" is a positive point in the guns favor.
As far as 'shootability" goes the first thing that must be examined is the condition inside of the barrels. Post some pictures here and you will be advised as to how to proceed.
Jim

In looking at the barrels they should be checked for chamber length (more than likely 2 1/2), condition of the bore (rust and pitting), thickness of the barrels.

Should the barrels check out ok, you should be able to fire ammo suited to vintage guns (POLYWAD, RST).

It is possible to reload 2 1/2 yourself in low pressure loads (sub 6000 PSI) using SR7625 and a roll crimper. For vintage gun we tend to shoot less ammo so the work of roll crimping does not seem to be a bother and is easier than buying a reloader just for 2 1/2

If the bores are not pitted from what I see I'd put a value of 3 to 8 hundred dollars tops.

Don't know about using your gun - it would need to be examined by a competent gunsmith to ascertain barrel wall thickness etc. Chamber length may also be an issue, it would not be suitable for use with a modern shell. You probably already know the bore size 11 denotes a 10 gauge and the manufacture date is somewhere between 1855 and 1868.
Looks like a fair quality sidelever gun of the period and the barrels being damascus should have a browned colour as original.
Apologies - had not seen the previous two posts.

Thank you for the responses, Now I know that 11 denbotes a 10 ga. The barrels look decent, but will take to someone to have checked out better than I. The 1912 stamped on everything must be the SN#.
Don't think I will be shooting it. A friend of mine who is into Cowboy Action Shooting is interested in it and does his own reloading.

Is your "friend" hiding a hacksaw behind his back? It's your gun but I'd advise he only be allowed to look at it! It's too nice a gun to be subjected to any abuse at all.

Congratulations on your new gun. It looks to be a fair quality Birmingham gun, as others have pointed out.

On the gauge, it may or may not be a 10 gauge. It is not uncommon for 12 gauge guns from this era (and all other gauges for that matter) to have over sized bores, in relation to it's chambers. The only way you will be able to know, is to measure the chambers. It could very well be a 12 gauge, made to use thin walled brass cartridges, and 11 gauge wads. Measuring it will solve the mystery.

It is indeed a 10 ga. and it is chambered for 2 1/2" shells after having 2 different dealers look at it, will have a competent gunsmith look at it later. Overall condition they say is nice. I didn't notice before but the stock and foreend is checkered, just filled in with dirt and grease. Overall a nice piece and as stated before it locks up nice and tight.
thanks again