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5 members (LeFusil, Thaine, PM, bbman3, 1 invisible),
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417 |
I bought an interesting double today, sight unseen from auction.It is listed as a "Double Barrel 12 gauge Shotgun SN 1828, 32 inch Damascus barrels, rabbit ear type, marked on lockplates and barrels ""GEORGE T. ABBEY, CHICAGO"", chequered walnot stock, openwork steel triggerguard, no permit required ""lockplates with some case colours, barrels with old brown patination, stock with minor chips and losses"".
I just finished reading rather wonderful article on this maker in the DGJ and it looks very much like one that was pictured there pictured there.
Does anyone have any input on this maker as to quality and workmanship? I'm going to ask Bill Mc Phail.
Best Regards, George
To see my guns go to www.mylandco.com Select "SPORTING GUNS " My E-Mail palmettotreasure@aol.com
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86 |
I saw one for sale somewhere...I think it was on the Cabelas website. The action was marked W&C Scott, nice gun except for the replacement hammer.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315 |
Vintage Doubles had this one with Sir Thomas Kilby Laminated Steel barrels  Sir Thomas Kilby Damascus and Laminated Steel barrels were used by several late 1800s American makers (with British and Lindner actions) including William and James Donn, George T. Abbey, and Edwin Thomas Jr., all of Chicago; and Martin F. Kennedy of St. Paul. Lots of information in Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900 by Curtis L. Johnson
Last edited by Drew Hause; 09/11/10 07:05 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417 |
Thaks jOe & Drew. I'll try to find Johnson's book.
Best Regards, George
To see my guns go to www.mylandco.com Select "SPORTING GUNS " My E-Mail palmettotreasure@aol.com
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315 |
Thanks Joe. I'm betting those are Kilby barrels also 
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,273 Likes: 205
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,273 Likes: 205 |
Drew, I did not know the Donns were in Chicago. Thought they were around Peoria and Canton.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 866
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 866 |
If that gun is a 10 ga. I'll eat my socks.... The barrel flats are stamped 13. A little underbored for a 10, don't ya think
Nice one Cabelas.....
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought stupid,than open it and confirm.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Drew, I did not know the Donns were in Chicago. Thought they were around Peoria and Canton. Correct. Some barrels, if I recall, do have Chicago stamped on them. But the Donn brothers were not Chicago maker. Pete
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,430 Likes: 315 |
From Gunmakers of Illinois by Curtis L. Johnson Vol 1 p. 156: DONN, WILLIAM - Canton, Fulton Co. 1870-1900 Peoria, Peoria Co. 1886-1888. A brother of noted Canton gunmaker James Donn, William is listed as a gunsmith in the 1870 census. He was 24 years old, born in Illinois and was at that time employed by his brother James. In 1873 James and William becames partners, a business relationship that..ended in 1900. During that time William was primarily involved with merchandising. At the time of his brother's death in 1911 William was a resident of Chicago. James Donn Bro. & Co., Peoria courtesy of Dr Bill 
Last edited by Drew Hause; 09/12/10 09:15 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
We(JW) have confirmed that it is a 10 ga with the Manager of the dept. Evidently it was mismarked 13 instead of 10. The 9 3/4 lbs would keep me away.I would need a firing stick to hold it
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,832 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,832 Likes: 13 |
It could have been made with real tight bores.
But what about the 3 1/2" chambers?
Anyone want to play barrel roulette?
BTW: from our lawyers out there, how much trouble will they be in if that things blows up and takes out a hand or a chunk of someone's face?
Are they being negligent by selling something that is so out of proof?
OWD
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Posts: 866
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 866 |
After some mulling, there is another possible on that gun.It may have been built as a heavy twelve and later re-chambered to 3 1/2" ten but not re-proofed. I would be interested to know the current bore dimensions, barrel wall thickness, and chokes.
BTW,this can be done successfully, I own one, but it was properly re-proofed for 10 ga. 3 1/2" magnum and has done excellent work.
Last edited by Terry Lubzinski; 09/12/10 03:02 PM.
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought stupid,than open it and confirm.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232 |
Abbey made some really big 12 gauge guns, I saw one years ago and a friend here in Michigan has another. They were of 10 gauge or even light 8 gauge weight but bored for 12 gauge.
Destry
Out there at the crossroads molding the devil's bullets. - Tom Waits
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417 |
I picked up the George T. Abbey SxS yesterday in Asheville, NC. It is a beauty and tight as a drum. It looks a lot like my Purdey thumbhole underlever except it is not stocked to the fences. The Damascus barrels retain quite a bit of plum brown colour and the bores are bright. The action is strong and the wood is sound. I'm planning to bring it to the Vintagers along with the E.M. Reilly 4-bore.
Best Regards, George
To see my guns go to www.mylandco.com Select "SPORTING GUNS " My E-Mail palmettotreasure@aol.com
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417 |
I bought an interesting double today, sight unseen from auction.It is listed as a "Double Barrel 12 gauge Shotgun SN 1828, 32 inch Damascus barrels, rabbit ear type, marked on lockplates and barrels ""GEORGE T. ABBEY, CHICAGO"", chequered walnot stock, openwork steel triggerguard, no permit required ""lockplates with some case colours, barrels with old brown patination, stock with minor chips and losses"".
I just finished reading rather wonderful article on this maker in the DGJ and it looks very much like one that was pictured there pictured there.
Does anyone have any input on this maker as to quality and workmanship? I'm going to ask Bill Mc Phail.
Best Regards, George WELL, I bought another George T. Abbey, Chicago, yesterday, locally,and in wonderful condition. This time it was a percussion muzzle loader, 12 bore with 32 inch barrels. It is all original and came with it's original ramrod, cleaning rod & "T" shaped nipple wrench with comparments for both nipples. The workmanship in these two guns seems to be well above average and the engraving is superb. If anyone's interested & will post the pictures for me, I'll e-mail them to him. Best Regards, George
To see my guns go to www.mylandco.com Select "SPORTING GUNS " My E-Mail palmettotreasure@aol.com
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
George,
Send them to me. My email is in my profile.
One small detail. The census records confirm that William Donn was in Chicago. He was working as a mechanic.
Pete
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