doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Another Interesting find from Deane Adams & Deane

Awhile back I was poking around the Rodger's Cabelas and happened to walk in just as they were bringing in bunch of guns they had purchased from an estate sale. One of them that caught my eye was a beautiful condition side by side percussion shotgun. At the time they didn't have a price for it and I pretty much assumed that it was going to be beyond my budget, but I gave them my number and a few days later they called me back and let me know the price, a very reasonable, I think, $450. I put it on hold and this afternoon finally decided to pick it up. I haven't had a chance to clean it up much yet, and I suspect it is a 12 guage but the other one I own is a 14 so I could be wrong. I'll measure it later tonight and let you know the answer.

The manufacturer is listed on the barrel as:

Deane Adams & Deane (Makers to HRH Prince Albert No 50 King William Street London Bridge

The gun is really in excellent condition with beautiful engraving, gold name plate engraved with some intitials, and excellent wood, though the checkering is definitely worn down over the years. The original ramrod is with it also. I removed the right lock to check it out and the inside looks as nicely polished as the day it left the factory, no comparison to a Pedersoli muzzleloading shotgun I own. As far as I can tell this one would be a shooter if I swapped out the nipples and proofed it. I only own one other original percussion English Double, but it isn't anywhere near this fancy. Would this have been a pretty standard grade shotgun from this period, or would it have been above average? I am curious about the maker, I assume it is probably the company that became famous for the Adams revolvers later one, but I don't know much beyond that. I am guessing the vintage to be mid to late 1850's. If anyone has some information I would appreciate it. Here are some pictures, though they aren't the greatest.






Thanks for looking

Regards,

Alex Johnson

Ya done well....

What a beauty. Nice piece of wood on her too! I have no info for you, but I hope you get her out there to shoot a little with.

That is one very fine gun in my opinion. I am jealous and I think you stole it. I would like awake at night, with the guilt. Please relieve yourself of this burden by sending it to my address. It would be very welcome here!

I wish I could buy a two piece stock blank that looks that good for 450.00. You scored BIG.

Is the dollar amount in your post missing a zero?

If not, CONGRATS YOU LUCKY &#^@$%#$* Well done!!!!

That's interesting and a beautiful gun. Yes, you stole it, lucky dog.
I have only seen the beautiful Tranter type pistols DA&D made, I did not know they even made long guns. Quite a score!.
Very well respected English gunmakers.
Mike

I had a chance to take it down a bit further and do some cleaning. I found out a few more interesting things and also took some more pictures. It is definitely not 12 bore, as it is clearly marked on the bottom 14. It also has what I assume would be the maximum load of 3 drams and 1 1/4 oz which seems reasonable. Here are a few more pictures of it.










I hope I can get it shooting again. I points like a dream and the locks are incredible quality, I will have to take some pictures of those next time I take them off.

Great looking gun, Alex! If the bores are anywhere as nice as the rest of it, you have a real treasure. 60 grs. 3f and 7/8 oz. shot or 70 grs. and 1 oz. ought to be very pleasant to shoot. Looks like a nice, high comb as well. Many English guns have dimensions more like our modern preferences than older American guns.

"London Gunmakers" By Nigel Brown, Christie's Books, 1998, list George & John Deane, wholesale ironmongers, 41 Fish St.Hill and Corner of Arthur St. Monument 1830-37, with succession of other, addresses and dates up to the company name, Deane, Adams & Deane 30 King St. and 1 New Weston St. 1853-1855; 30 King St. 2 New Weston St.1856-57. So you can date your gun to have been made between 1853-1857.

David Baker's "The Royal Gunroom at Sandringham" Phaidon-Christi's Ltd. 1989, have the picture of a "splended" gun, made for Prince Albert 30 King William St.London Bridge, by George and John Deane, of 30 King St. Deane, Adams & Deane exhibited at the Great Exhibition. Baker goes on to say that "At this time their gun department was managed by a man destined for fame in the story of British gunmaking, Robert Adams. He was to design the revolving pistol that bears his name." The gun discussed in Bakers discourse is beyond description.

It appears you have a marvelous piece of weaponry with a marvelous pedigree! I hope this has been of help to you.