RARE WESSON FIREARMS CO. DBL BBL SHOTGUN.

RARE WESSON FIREARMS CO. DBL BBL SHOTGUN. Cal. 12ga. SN, none visible. One of only approx. 225 of these very rare shotguns to ever be produced in the period May 1867 to 1871. Extremely well made, the shotgun has 29″ fine pattern Damascus bbls, choked IMP-CYL/IMP-CYL. They have a smooth, tapered, concave rib with single bead with modified doll’s head extension which serves as the latch for the lifting catch which is incorporated in the top of the receiver. It has a tiny box lock receiver with flat sides and long vertical hammer spurs. It has a skeletonized front frame with checkered wood panel inserts and an attached articulated black insert splinter forearm. The receiver and all of the forend iron and triggerguard are beautifully engraved with about 75% coverage fine intertwined foliate arabesque patterns. The stock is nicely figured, tiger striped walnut with checkered straight wrist and slight perch belly, 14-1/8″ over a skeleton buttplate with fine checkered wood center. These shotguns were built as a separate part of the Smith & Wesson Co. to compete with expensive European imported shotguns. Unfortunately their price of $175-$250 in 1870 put them out of reach of most American buyers. Sales were so poor that the company was forced to fold and Smith & Wesson returned their entire focus to manufacturing handguns and ammunition. CONDITION: Very good to fine. The bbls retain traces of original brown in sheltered areas, having been cleaned a long time ago and now retains faint Damascus patterns. The receiver retains 85-90% strong original case colors, turned silver on the forend iron and top tang. The trigger guard retains most of its original blue, bright on the tang, turning plum on the trigger bow. The wood is sound with usual handling & use marks and a series of light bruises on the right side near the buttplate and shows light to moderate wear overall and retains generous amounts of oil finish. The forearm wedge has the top half of the head chipped and the oval initial plate is missing from the stock. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bores. 4-53710 JR1009 (4,500-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1806	$0.00	RARE WESSON FIREARMS CO. DBL BBL SHOTGUN. Cal. 12ga. SN, none visible. One of only approx. 225 of these very rare shotguns to ever be produced in the period May 1867 to 1871. Extremely well made, the shotgun has 29″ fine pattern Damascus bbls, choked IMP-CYL/IMP-CYL. They have a smooth, tapered, concave rib with single bead with modified doll’s head extension which serves as the latch for the lifting catch which is incorporated in the top of the receiver. It has a tiny box lock receiver with flat sides and long vertical hammer spurs. It has a skeletonized front frame with checkered wood panel inserts and an attached articulated black insert splinter forearm. The receiver and all of the forend iron and triggerguard are beautifully engraved with about 75% coverage fine intertwined foliate arabesque patterns. The stock is nicely figured, tiger striped walnut with checkered straight wrist and slight perch belly, 14-1/8″ over a skeleton buttplate with fine checkered wood center. These shotguns were built as a separate part of the Smith & Wesson Co. to compete with expensive European imported shotguns. Unfortunately their price of $175-$250 in 1870 put them out of reach of most American buyers. Sales were so poor that the company was forced to fold and Smith & Wesson returned their entire focus to manufacturing handguns and ammunition. CONDITION: Very good to fine. The bbls retain traces of original brown in sheltered areas, having been cleaned a long time ago and now retains faint Damascus patterns. The receiver retains 85-90% strong original case colors, turned silver on the forend iron and top tang. The trigger guard retains most of its original blue, bright on the tang, turning plum on the trigger bow. The wood is sound with usual handling & use marks and a series of light bruises on the right side near the buttplate and shows light to moderate wear overall and retains generous amounts of oil finish. The forearm wedge has the top half of the head chipped and the oval initial plate is missing from the stock. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bores. 4-53710 JR1009 (4,500-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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