doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com WW Greener Info

Lagopus has most of that covered.

The proof mark for 'CHOKE' came in in 1887, replacing 'NOT FOR BALL'. I would place your gun between 1887 and 1896.

The barrels look to be two iron damascus.

It was made with standard 2 1/2" chambers and 13 bore, as has been said, shows the bores were originally close to two proof sizes smaller than your gun now measures. The next proof up would be 13/1 (.719)and then 12 (.729)the next one up would be .740. This means the gun is currently out of proof.

The wall thickness will be a key factor, so get them measured. In my experience these guns were made with quite thick barrels - up to a minimum of 40 thou in many cases, so you may be pleasantly surprised.

As an observation, barrels of this period marked 'CHOKE' seem to have been made with what we now generally consider 'Modified' or 'three-quarter' choke constriction.

Small Bore,
Thanks for the informaton. The odd part about the bores, when I first put the aluminum .734 bore gage in it went in snug. Later for curiosity sake I used a Skeet's Bore Gage set it to the .700 ring and inserted it 12 1/2" in the muzzle end and read .729 in both barrels, withdrew it slowly until it reached choke and read .010 in right barrel and .037 in left, so that is a difference of .006 between the two gages. What readings would you go by or does it really matter?

Again thanks for everyones input as I couldn't find much information on this nice old shooter. If it checks out ok I will reload some 2 1/2" shells in low pressure low velocity.

One other question, if in checking out the wall thickness and say using the Skeet's Gage near the breech could I then mike up the outside of the barrels subtract the ID from the OD and divide by two to get the wall thickness? I will be able to reach in at least 11+ inches.

JDW thats a big no. Wall thickness in not even or concentric. Hand filing of the barrels make some areas thinner than others. You need a wall thickness guage and have to check the entire barrel minus the area covers by the ribs.

Mike,
Thanks. Are you talking about a Manton type gage?

Correction, Manson Barrel Gage.

JDW that will do if you have lots of practice but a better although more expensive one is https://secure.netsolhost.com/connecticu...?idProduct=1771
unfortunately the photos are coming up.

Thanks Mike

In asking about this gun I also have been looking at different auction sites trying to determine what grade it is. Salopian stated it might be a Forester grade and on this site I came up with this. The sides look alike, same design doesn't give much information, although it is a lot earlier gun going by the serial number. This person calls it an Empire Deluxe, and yet I did see one that was called a Forester or Estate keepers gun. The other Empire Deluxes didn't have the engine turned type sides.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976990991/Gun...ide_by_Side.htm

JDW, many of us use light shot charges (24 gram, 7/8 oz and 1 oz) and low pressure loads in 2 3/4" hulls without ill effect. However, we all recommend that if you see damaged hull ends, don't continue to shoot 2 3/4" hulls. Generally, 2 3/4" hulls are ok in all but guns with very short forcing cones. From the dimensions given, I suspect your barrels may have been pitted near the breach and honed more there than near the muzzles.

Dig: Your guns arrived at CH yesterday & I believe went out by US Mail today. They are lovely, especially the Purdey. See you in December.Are you ready for some more BBQ?

Best regards, George

Dig: I believe that you are right. I have one that looks identical, SN 33536, that is marked "W.W. GREENER FORESTER'S GUN LONDON & BIRMINGHAM" on the top rib. It's on my web site.

Best Regards, George