doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Unusual Syracuse

Well, it's not that unusual, just a typical late Syracuse A grade 12 ga.
It has the ejector on/off switch, checkered side panels, an 'S' grip, and an unengraved gold escutcheon in the stock.
The unusual part is the condition of this gun that is likely 110 years old.
Truly, a fantastic find.
I bet that even Gibbons would be jealous (some people will get that).
The pictures don't do it justice, the sun washes out the colors in some spots.
If anyone would like to give a tutorial on taking photos, I'd love to hear your tips and suggestions.
Perhaps I'll try for some better photos to share.

Photo tip--use open shade and/or north light.

Gorgeous gun. The guns of Frank Hollenbeck (like those of W.H. Baker) are hugely underappreciated. The engraving on higher grade SAC'S bear some of the finest engaging I have seen on American SxS's. Rivaling Lefever and pre-1913 Smith's.

Put a C or D grade Syracuse next to a Parker CH and the latter will be quite embarrassed with its Warner Brothers cartoon character engraving.

If you have any questions about the gun, ask "Topgun," as he is as close to "the authority" as there is on these.

- Nudge

Nudge, You are right BUT you need to look at some of the early Ithaca engraving! eg. Loy and Latham eras.

A very nice AE Grade indeed, and extremely rare with so much of the original finihes still intact; congratulations. If you don't mind, what is the serial number? I can determine the gun to be a late production "3rd Model" example, so assume (since a 12-bore) the serial number to be above 335XX and to have been manufactured at some point between late 1903, and the end of production in early 1905.

Walt you are right on the photo lighting. This group of pictures is also a good example of why one should not use a white or very light background. The camera will most always make the gun's details too dark.

I enjoyed the article in DGJ about the Syracuse C grade. Is there any other good reading about Syracuse guns?

For what it's worth, I probably have taken 50 photos for every one I've ever posted. Most of the pictures were taken in direct, over head sunlight. I seemed to be getting a strong reflection using a white background and switched to drab beige which seemed to help. I'll try a darker background, but the 'sheen' doesn't seem to go away.
Walt, to be honest, I'm not sure what you mean when you say open shade/ north light? I'm willing to listen and learn.
Maybe it's just my poor camera.
Nudge, thanks for the compliment, just don't compare an early Syracuse 'A' with a later one such as this gun.
It's the condition that makes it special.
Tom, the serial is 321xx.
I do have a question.
I'm curious as to what type of finish they used on the bottom rib of the barrels?
On my high condition guns, it almost seems like a varnished over nitre blue, but am not sure that is possible.
The gun does have it's fair share of nicks and dings in the wood and metal, but the only real wear is in the hand hold areas.
Sad to say, the condition puts my other SAC guns to shame, when I thought that some of them were pretty nice.

Woody, Tom Archer (Topgun)has written many articles on SAC in the Double Gun Journal.

Photo tips:
Never use a flash
Use shady areas on bright days or avoid direct sunlight
Take slightly off angle or quartering angle shots to minimize spotting, glare, or reflections while also naturally highlighting detail
Any non-glossy background seems ok: deer hide, barnwood, felt, dry grasses, leather, canvas, fabrics , etc