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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709 |
I have a English box lock shotgun that I recently discovered was sold in 1891. It has steel, not Damascus barrels and appears to be in relatively good shape. I've never dealt with a gun this old. What can anyone tell me about a gun of this age and how it is to be treated and shot.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,185 Likes: 67
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,185 Likes: 67 |
First thing is have a knowledgeable gunsmith look it over, measure bores, wall thickness, chambers, etc. to ascertain if you should be shooting it, if it needs repairs, if it's worth repairing. Shouldn't be too hard in Dallas.
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709 |
I've checked the gun multiple times on two separate occasions using the same ID gauge and barrel wall thickness gauge and two different OD gauges. I have gotten the same results. .0295 min wall thickness using ID & OD gauges and .030 using wall thickness gauge. I checked it repeatedly because I had not expected such good readings.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226 |
So shoot light RST in it. 10 gauge or 12 gauge? I just shot my 12 gauge 1887 Winchester for a round of skeet this Tuesday What fun, What fun. Used the light load of Clays and 7/8 ounce of shot, Federal paper based hull. Mike 
Last edited by skeettx; 06/07/17 06:06 PM.
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,134 Likes: 125
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,134 Likes: 125 |
1891 is very early for english fluid steel barrels...after gunsmith blessing, shoot light loads and enjoy...
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 694 Likes: 65
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 694 Likes: 65 |
My 1892 Greener had extra full chokes and .038 minimum wall thickness damascus barrels. Vaporized clays at trap with 7/8 oz. loads from Polywad. Obviously age alone has little impact on performance.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709 |
Are you using nitro or black powder?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 709 |
The fluid steel barrels fooled me also I had estimated the age of the gun to be early 20th century previous to WWI. Nearly 20 years later then when the gun was first sold. Research shows that the Deeley box lock patent and Whitworth's patent on fluid steel came out about the same time, 1874.
Last edited by pooch; 06/07/17 08:55 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,475 Likes: 54
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,475 Likes: 54 |
Probably be a good idea to look at the proof marks. Might have been re-barreled and nitro proofed.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
Note that early fluid steel and good pattern welded/damascus are of about equal strength. Black powder and nitro have similar pressure for similar loads.
Fluid steel supplanted damascus due to superior cost, not strength.
I have an 1884 hammergun with steel barrels and an 1879 double rifle with steel barrels. I'm sure earlier examples are out there.
DDA
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