doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com D. Kirkwood

David Kirkwood-Boston 1874-1897- Made the First American Boxlock
Which this gun is an example off. There were 4 patents 1080-81.
Probably patent date is Nov 23 1880 instead of 1888. Serial #'s
Started @ 1882 in the 900 range-1350 until @1897 when David died. Encluded
Hammer and Hamerless Boxlock and sidelock doubles and drillings.
Three Mortimer & Kirkwood Hammerless are known-see Daryl's Post.
Most definitive article on Kirkwood is by Roy Gunther 1992-
will be glad to send copies to those who wish- e-mail me @
mcphailcherokee@aol.com.
Very nice Quality Gun
Bill McPhail

Thank you Phail. It may very well be 1880. Hard to tell even with a magnifying loupe. The serial# is 1001. The bores have some pitting but over all the gun as a whole is in very nice shape.

Any idea of what or if I should if I should this insured under my home owners for?

Thanks again
Dave

Dave,
What a neat gun, if this gun is ever for sale, I would be very interested in it. Thanks, Ross
ross@berck.org

Kirkwood patents, there may be more.

Patent number: 191862
Filing date: Mar 12, 1877
Issue date: Jun 12, 1877
Inventor: DAVID KIEKWOOD
http://www.google.com/patents?id=WbZqAAAAEBAJ&dq=Kirkwood+fire+arm

Patent number: 233773
Filing date: Aug 11, 1880
Issue date: Oct 26, 1880
http://www.google.com/patents?id=BfBwAAAAEBAJ&dq=Kirkwood+fire+arm

Patent number: 240147
Filing date: Dec 2, 1880
Issue date: Apr 12, 1881
Inventor: DAVID KIRKWOOD
http://www.google.com/patents?id=LMxCAAAAEBAJ&dq=Kirkwood+breech

Patent number: 318001
Issue date: May 1885
Inventor: Kirkwood
http://www.google.com/patents?id=EkQWAAAAEBAJ&dq=Kirkwood+breech

Pete

Kirkwood's Boxlock was advertised in three "grades" -$100, $150
And $200. The Grades Had more to do with Feature. Most have
Cocking Indicators but have seen a few guns without them. Some
nonselective ejectors which have a off/on swich under the forarm.
The Mortimer-Kirkwoods seen have selective automatic/nonautomatic
safety. All are high Quality and each one I've seen has some
unique feature-like the Gold Band on the Rib
Several of us on this Board would love to have this gun. It is
in fine and shootable condition. Have no doubt it worth $2000-
probably More.
Great to see such a nice and unique American Gun!
Thanks for putting it on this Board
Bill McPhail

Thanks for the info Bill. The $100,$150 and $200 grades are very interesting. Lot of money back in the 1880s.

Thanks again and when it going to be sold I will be sure to let you know.

Is this the same Kirkwood?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=91370909

Pete

Pete, it's from the late part of the Kirkwood story , probably in the 1930s, maybe 1940s. There are Kirkwood shotgun shell boxes that come up sometimes, too. In that period they operated as Kirkwood Bros., Inc. and each year put out a used gun list. The same brochure contained "shopworn" clothing, sites, scopes and all other related sporting items. The fun part of these books are the fine used guns they listed. List of 1940 says they have been in business 66 years, making it 1874 for a start, but David Kirkwood was active long before that. These Annual Lists started in 1922. One list has the following dates. 1874 Mortimer and Kirkwood, 1881 D. Kirkwood, 1902 Kirkwood Bros., 1917 Kirkwood Bros. Inc.