doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Shotgun Gun Maker Question/Identification

Greetings - been awhile since I've been on this forum. It's good to be back! I'm looking at purchasing an 1870-era breechloading shotgun (with sidelever) that's listed as #229777459 on Auction Arms. The gunmaker "Thomas Viggers" has me scratching my head. None of my reference books list this name. Proof marks on the barrel flats seem to indicate the barrels were made in Birmingham. Anyone out there have any information on this firearm's maker? Also, hopefully I'll have an upcoming article in DGJ with my sidelever shotguns -- they're fun to collect and shot. The new article features the gunmaker "Enos James."

Thanks,

MikeF

Enos James in the 1881 H&D Folsom catalog here Mike
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20091267

Mr. Franck, I can't find it either,and I couldn't locate on the auction arms website. If you can post the link directly to the lot item it would be helpfull.

My mistake - it's listed on gunbroker.com under that same number, # 229777459. What's interesting to note, yesterday it didn't show the "buy now" option at $1,500.00, now it does.

I've not come across the 'Thomas Viggers" name before.

MikeF

Well I still couldn't find it. Is the name on the rib or just the lockplate and is there any other markings other than the birmingham proofs

Justin - the proof marks are on the shotgun's water table and barrel flats. It's listed as 'English Double Barrel SxS Custom. 12 GA RARE" on the gunbroker.com website as Auction # 229777459. The name is listed on the barrel rib, didn't see it on the lockplates.

Thanks for your help.

MikeF

Mike, Found'em at last. This has got to be a retailer rather than a maker. There is a that square mark on the flats that's interesting and maybe an 8 on the right barrel but no seria# I would call off the search for the maker.