Hello guys, saw your forum and I thought you would be able to help me out.

I purchased a 14ga Damascus barrel double barrel shotgun and I want to know what would be a safe load or a start load for it.

I have had it checked by a gunsmith, he said that as long as I use blackpowder I will have no problems, this is a percussion muzzleloader, on the rib it is marked "Fine Twist".

I took off the barrels and the following proof marks are present:

The E over LG in an oval - star is solid.

178 - Pretty sure this means 17.8mm, which is 0.700in, which is what the muzzle measures, so a 14ga?

The "Perron" - on the outside of one of the chambers, visible while in the stock.

Reverse "B" "L" - made after 1852?

Crown over V - on one chamber

Crown over G - on one chamber

Crown over GI - on one chamber

Crown over X - on the breech block on both sides

"JM" - stamped on one barrel, covered by the stock, a makers mark I believe but cannot find anything to line up this mark.

Trying to figure out who made it and when and what load is appropriate.

I found an article on square loads, which says that 14ga is 3 dram with 1oz of shot or 3 1/4 dram with 1 1/4oz of shot.

Do these loads sound reasonable or should I be backing off to 28ga or 20ga type loads?

Does anyone know what type of pressure these BP charges may give?

Thanks

Hopefully the picture links work.

https://flic.kr/p/2kTyXv8

https://flic.kr/p/2kTrXnZ

https://flic.kr/p/2kTyXhH

https://flic.kr/p/2kTuSW7

https://flic.kr/p/2kTuoBD

https://flic.kr/p/2kTtyTd

https://flic.kr/p/2kTuon5

https://flic.kr/p/2kTtyLV

https://flic.kr/p/2kTtyGG

https://flic.kr/p/2kTuo9z

https://flic.kr/p/2kTyWkn

https://flic.kr/p/2kTrWc2

Last edited by Fox84; 08/30/21 03:36 PM.