doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Six Gauge Doublegon

In Lord of the Rings, Saruman had a gift for talking and people unaware could easily be bewitched according to Gandalf. However, photos speak louder than words. Look forward to seeing them, Ed.

Poor comparison, Gene. Ed doesn't have a gift for talking.

Mute point, moot point. 🤔.

I'll bet we will see pictures of Ed's 6 gauge percussion double a lot sooner than we see proof that E.M. Reilly employed over 300 gun makers.

The correct saying is "One picture is worth a thousand words."

Another particularly relevant saying is "people who live in glass houses should refrain from throwing stones."

That’s a fascinating piece—congrats on the find. A true 6 bore double in that kind of condition doesn’t come along often. The 6 bore itself is a massive ~.919 caliber and was already falling out of favor by the late 1800s as more practical bores like 8 and 10 became dominant . Add in muzzle-loading, double barrels, and no-name/continental production, and you’re looking at something produced in relatively small numbers even in its day.

If it’s still tight, unmolested, and shootable, that pushes it into genuinely scarce territory. Not “one of one,” but certainly uncommon enough to get attention from collectors of big-bore sporting arms.

MG, forgive me for being a skeptical curmudgeon but how can you say this gun is a "fascinating piece," when you haven't seen it? It may or may not exist. Do you know Ed?

well, argo, mg sounds like he comes from a school of gentlemanly positive thinkers...

unlike some others here...

Doublegon sounds a lot like Doppelgänger.

Tight? Are we not talking about a muzzleloader? How does tightness come into play on a m/l?

Stan, old muzzle loading shotguns when shot a lot, loosen up where the barrels hook on to the breaches...

watt bout out deal?

don you welch on me!

Ed aka MG seems incapable of posting a photo. However, if this gun exists, It may be the first one on this list from 1840:

1). Original British Massive Double Barrel 6 Bore Percussion Shotgun with Liège Proofs - circa 1840
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/or...proofs-circa-1840?variant=31156900757573

Original Item: Only One Available. We just received this lovely example along with about 200 other guns, from a collection that sat in an attic for close to 100 years. It is a MASSIVE double barrel British Percussion Shotgun, with 31 inch barrels in an unbelievable SIX BORE. We had thought them to be 8 bore, but they measure out to be about .92", which is definitely 6 bore/gauge. This shotgun would have kicked like several mules when fired, unleashing a massive wave of shot. The shotgun was at least partially made in Belgium, as the sides of both barrels bear a "Tower of Liège" proof mark. The gun is totally un-signed but stamped REAL TWIST on the strap between the two barrels on the top, and looking at the grain of the barrel, they definitely are twist steel.
The side action locks are nicely engraved but not named. The gun features engraved iron mounts, and comes complete with its original wooden brass-tipped ram rod. In very presentable display condition, however the wrist of the wood butt stock was at one time broken and was repaired by adding two brass plates, one to each side of the wrist and fully inset into the stock.
A logical repair in the 1840's but this gun, especially being this very large bore, should NOT be FIRED today.
Most impressive and ready to display!
Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: about 92" 6 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Cap and Shot
Barrel Length: 31 Inches
Overall Length: 48 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

2): 6 Gauge muzzle loader 1840 sold by Holt's - he valued it at 5-7,000 £


Mid-19th century, 35 5/8in. rebrowned twist sighted barrels (slightly shortened), patent breeches engraved with a pheasant and inlaid with two platinum lines on the rib between, border and scroll engraved tang and locks, the latter each signed 'SAML. HARPER MAKER', figured walnut half-stock with chequered grip, engraved iron mounts including scrolled trigger-guard (engraving worn), white metal barrel-bolt escutcheons and scroll engraved fore-end cap, inset silvered plaque in front of the trigger-guard engraved 'BENJAMIN CAUNT / CHAMPION OF ENGLAND', and original brass-tipped ramrod with worm, Birmingham proof marks. Provenance: It is understood that this gun was used in live pigeon matches by Benjamin Caunt (1815-1861), heavyweight pugilist 'Champion of England' from 1838 until 1845 (the title being briefly lost in 1841 to Nick Ward but won back the same year). Weighing in at 18 stones and standing at 6 feet 2 inches Caunt was well equipped for the life of a bare-knuckle prize fighter when, prior to the introduction of the Marquis of Queensbury rules in 1867, fights could last upwards of two hours with rounds lasting as long as the protagonists each stayed on their feet. Caunt won his title in 1838 from Bendigo William Thompson in a contest lasting 76 rounds. It was to Bendigo that he was to finally relinquish the title in 1845 after a 96 round fight with a controversial verdict given by the referee. On the tide of the international popularity of pugilism Caunt successfully toured America in the 1840's and it is thought he challenged Tom Hyer, heavyweight champion of America, but no fight was held. Following his retirement from the ring Caunt became a publican running the Coach & Horses Inn on St. Martins Lane in London, and a fight promoter, sponsoring the future 'Champion of England' Nat Langham in his early career as a heavyweight prize fighter. It is now generally accepted that the hour bell in the clock tower at Westminster was popularly named 'Big Ben' in honour of Caunt. A former Member of Parliament, Mr. George Caunt, discovered how the bell came to be named from old Westminster documents. Big Ben Caunt died on 10th September 1861 aged 46 in London from a cold caught at a live pigeon match. He was buried in his home village of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in the same graveyard as Lord Byron Field and Rural Life Magazine and Media Network is the finest online Rural Magazine covering everything to do with Rural Britain.

3). https://www.flickr.com/photos/24501307@N07/51024546266
6 Gauge Double Shotgun By James Donn, Canton, Illinois

This was an Illinois River Duck & Goose Gun, before it became illegal to hunt with any shotgun larger than a 10 gauge.

Gunmaker James Donn was born in Lake County, Illinois in 1839, of Scottich ancestry. He apprenticed to James R. McQuaid, an earlier Canton, Illinois gunsmith/gunmaker, in 1854. After learning the basic skills of the trade, Donn went to Chicago to finish his apprenticeship with another gunsmith (identity unknown) who specialized in shotguns. Donn returned to Canton and opened his own shop in 1859. This 6 gauge double barreled percussion shotgun was made by him sometime between 1859 and 1873, Shotguns made 1873 and later are marked J. Donn & Bro. J. Donn & Bro. (William Donn) remained in business until 1900, at which time the partnership was dissolved. James Donn continued the business alone until his death in 1911.