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any help on the value of this would be appreciated. its a 12ga side by side with sidelock and dual hammers. 26 inch barrel stamped purdeys patent bolt and has castles stamped into it. i dont think its demascus but it might be.it has a cracked handle and some dings in the stock
thanks.















not the most detailed but its all i got. you can see the crack in the 5th picture.

Difficult to give a value but I might be able to tell you more about it. If you can supply serial number I can date it. A full description as to engraving or, better still, a good photo and I might be able to ascertain which model. I would suspect that as a 12 bore of that vintage with 26" barrels that they may have been shortened as most would have had 30" tubes. The crack in the stock, which I presume is in what is known as the 'hand' i.e. where you would grip it, could be a problem. It may be repairable or may need re-stocking. Either would be costly but a new stock, unless it's in exceptional condition, would effectively make it a write off. The castles are the W & C Scott Trade mark and correct for the gun. The Purdey's patent reference is to the type of closure used to lock the gun together and dates from 1863. Making reference to this patent would tend to indicate an early example. Scott's started with serial number 1 in 1865. If your gun has a very low serial number it would make it quite intersting. The details of the proof marks on the barrels would also tell us more. Waiting to be of further assistance; Lagopus.....

Per lagopus, we need more details.

I bought a gun matching your general description four years ago for $300.00 from a well known dealer. It has a Purdeys thumb lever trigger guard opening system. The barrels are 30" not 26". I bought it as a project gun, which has never been completed. Yours should have a wedge fastener on the fore end and date to the early to mid 1870's.

On mine the stock is sound, no case color, barrels are just about brown finish free. Both hammers are fine and the locks work well. It was not real tight and on face, with barrels that ring like a bell when struck. By serial number it dates to 1870-1875. Beware this maker has two or more serial numbering systems using serial number twice in many cases.

i cant get pictures right now but i can try later tonight. the serial number is 5868 if that helps. its marked w&c scott and son maker and patentees on the barrel. also has a "15" stamped on each barrel with some sort of small crest symbol.

That serial number should put it to 1874. The 15 will be the bore diameter at 9" from the breech face. I have seen 12 bore chambered guns bored this tight before but it is not common. Lagopus.....

1874? would that mean it has to be a demascus. it doesn't look like it.

No, but that would be some very early steel barrels. Look carefully for blued/blaced over damascus; take it out in sunlight or other very bright light and look for the damascus pattern under the color.

Vintage 1874 is possibly Laminated Steel. It was near the highest quality barrel product of the time.

Don't worry too much about the pics Ky wanted. He's been promising us pics of his prOjects for years.