I have a good number of double sidexside percussion guns. Two of them are 12 gauge. They take black powder poured in the front barrel opening. Two #11 percussion caps are placed on each of the "nipples, that is, the things each barrel has under the hammers, or "cocks". If you pull back the hammers you'll see them. Each gets a #11 cap placed on them. If you pull back the hammers and pull the triggers, they'll fall on the #11 caps and touch off a small charge that will in turn touch the black powder in the barrel(s) and go BOOM! That's how they're fired. To actually shoot it you'll need to put a specific load of blackpowder in, then an over powder card, then maybe a wad, then an amount of shot and then an overshot card, carefully tamping the load down snugly but NOT tightly with the ramrod that should be on the underside of the barrels, slipped in through 2 or 3 thimbles for easy carry and accessability. Try loading a more or less equal amount of powder and lead to begin with. Start with 50 grs of blackpowder and an oz of shot. I would advise using #6 shot. That's a good "all around" bird hunting load. Now when you pull the hammers back it's for REAL. Once you pull the triggers and hear BOOM! the shot will go flying out of the barrel(s). Experiment with different loads, but don't go over 100 grs of blackpowder. Now you are off and running to getting to really know your F. W. Harrold gun. Have fun.
As far as tearing the gun down, I think you will find that it's easy as pie. Don't be afraid of ruining the gun or its finish /patina in ANY way. Unless you're a ham-fisted clod you'll be able to perform this lickety-split and the gun will not be marred in the least. On one side of the forearm section there will be an escutcheon, about 14 inch or so. You need to pull this out. Often times it will only go as far as the forearm edge so it will stay in the forearm. Some others actually do come out. Not a worry at all. If you find it "sticky" or hard to get a good purchase on with your finger nail try using an old credit card or the like. Keep your fingers low to maintain the stiffness and place that in between the escutcheon and foreamr section. Work it out a little at a time. If you are still having trouble go to the other side where you will see the end of the pin. Take a small punch made out of brass or anything softer than steel and tap it a bit to get it started. You'll find that using one or all ofthese methods will easily get your barrels loose from the forearm section. Nothing to it. I like to sit at one end of a couch and lay the gun upside down on my knees to have more control once the barrels, which are supported by the plush cushion of the couch at the other end, start to seperate from the forearm section. You'll find some information on the barrel flats that can help you further in your search to discover information about your F.W.Harrold double shotgun.
One item not discussed: Are the barrels made of fluid steel or damascus steel (or twist, stub, laminate, etc) This information will also help in gathering more information on your F. W. Harrold double shotgun. I'm sure that once you familiarize yourself with this gun you will find yourself enjoying everything about it, especially shooting it.
If you can answer question posed here and seperate the barrels from the forearm section you'll be able to report here your findings. Once you do that you'll find an eager bunch of doublegun experts will be bending over backwards to help you further in your quest to find more information on you F.W. Harrold 12 gauge double shotgun. Have Fun!
