I Want One!

[Dutch Limbach]

It predates our period by a bit, but last night on Pawn Stars a guy had a double barrel flintlock shotgun that had been made in France in the 18th century. Someone had taken it to England and the barrels were sawed off right at the end of the stock to use as a coach gun. But what was really unique was on top of the barrels they mounted a spring loaded bayonet. Now that is tasteful without being gaudy!

[Doc O]

I saw that. Would love to have that. Flint on top of that.
Can't remember the price he bought it for. I was thinking 750.00?

Doc

[Dutch Limbach]

I think he said he got it from his grandfather who had paid $750 for it.

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[Books OToole]

At the Col. Bissel house (St. Louis) there is a socket bayonet made for a double barrell shotgun.  I always thought that was pretty neat.

Books

[Dutch Limbach]

Books,

This bayonet was spring loaded. It sat on top of the shotgun, and folded back between the two barrels. There was a release mechanism, and after the barrels had been fired it could be tripped and the bayonet would swing into position.

If I had SHB's money I would have bought it for the $10,000 the antique arms expert valued it at.

[Texas Lawdog]

Heck, I bet he would spring for two of them!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Books,

This bayonet was spring loaded. It sat on top of the shotgun, and folded back between the two barrels. There was a release mechanism, and after the barrels had been fired it could be tripped and the bayonet would swing into position.

If I had SHB's money I would have bought it for the $10,000 the antique arms expert valued it at.

What?  $27.93 !!!

 


I'd like to have one, too! 

[ChuckBurrows]

Dutch - FWIW doubt if the barrels were cut off, but rather that the gun was purpose built that way. Muzzleloading short barreled coach guns and blunderbusses with or without bayonets were quite popular, especially in England as defense against highwaymen such as Dick Turpin, that were often the bane of traveling during the eighteenth century.
Here's a link to a single barrel flinter with bayonet:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Flintlock_Coach_Gun_1478.jpg

and a brass barreled coaching blunderbuss:
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=31237

[Dutch Limbach]

Dutch - FWIW doubt if the barrels were cut off, but rather that the gun was purpose built that way. ...

The shotgun was built in France, however it had British proof marks on the barrels. On the show they asked the antique arms expert they called in about the proof marks. It was his theory that the someone had acquired the shotgun in France and brought it to England. In England someone had the barrels cut back at which time the gun had to be proofed.

Also, the gun was very ornate with a lot of scrollwork and gold inlay. It was a lot classier than the plain, no frills guns that are on the links you provided. I wish I could find a picture of it to post to show what I mean. The bayonets were the same though.

[Texas Lawdog]

A bayonet on a shotgun! That's a Close Quarters Combat weapon, Cowboy style!

[Ol Gabe]

It is interesting from a historical aspect that the hammer on the trigger release for the bayonet is almost identical to the hammers we now associate with all Western-style firearms. Would be fun to know who first made that style and promoted it down through the years til it became the 'official' style of all hammers.
I have held and shot one of the repo Flinter doubles with a bayonet on it many years ago at a 'Vous in Wisconsin, it was a hoot to shoot! I then traded some plunder for an Italian Caplock repo Blunderbuss in a small caliber, all blued. It shoots like a .410 but has a smaller bore, 28 I recall, not a 28 ga., just marked '28', and was a ton of fun when hunting Woodcock in the Fall and Rabbits in the Winter. Still have it, will have to dig it out and try it on some Cowboy Clays when I retire.
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe

[Dutch Limbach]

If anyone is interested the episode is to re-air tonight on the History Channel at 8:00 EST.

There is a new episode at 10:30 EST, were someone brings in an allegedly original Winchester. On the trailer for the episode the shop owner, Rick, opens the lever on the rifle when he is handed the piece, and an empty shell casing ejects out of it.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

If the last fired round was a Black Powder round, it could have some serious rusting/pitting issues in the barrel!

Of course, if it were stored properly and in a very dry atmosphere, I suppose it'd only need cleaning.  I once left (by accident, I assure you!) a fired C&B pistol - my 1860 Army, uncleaned with typical fouling and gunque (a scientific term for residue) for about a year and a half!
 

I was in the Army and had several missions and it got put away hurriedly, then forgotten.  (I was at the range, returned home and got a message that I had been alerted and had to get back to Ft. Knox RIGHT NOW!)

 

[Dutch Limbach]

They not only checked that out, at the end of the show they take it to a range and fire both barrels. However, I don't think there was any shot in the gun when it was fired.