Hammerless shotguns authentic to old west?

[Delmonico]

One that worked or just one with one trigger?

[Dr. Bob]

A single trigger that fires each bbl., one at a time.

[St. George]

The comment about one that 'worked' was an accurate one, since the 'reliable' single-triggered double guns came about after the turn of the century.

No doubt 'someone' was experimenting - somewhere - but none of the larger manufacturers were offering one in their Trade catalogs by 1900 - nor were Montgomery Wards or Sears, Roebuck offering any in their catalogs - and those suppliers would've seized upon that idea as a marketing tool.

That's also what I reported to NCOWS' Judge when asked.

Vaya,

Scouts out!

[Delmonico]

The English were experimenting with them at least in the 1870's, more on rifles than shotguns.  The problem of of firing both barrels at once was real, a nuisance on a shotgun when hunting birds, a real danger when hunting some of the types of game a double rifle is used for.

I have never seen anywhere of a production single trigger till after 1900, in fact I think John m. Browning designed one of the first ones that worked well on his Superposed.

[Abilene]

So here's a really old thread coming back.  I have a TTN which I love, but this is about hammerless.  A local was selling his CAS guns and I got a Baikal at a great price.  He had antiqued it (the question must be asked - why???  I antiqued my TTN and it looks great.  I say that if it had been rattling under a stage driver for ten years, it would look like that.  But a hammerless??).  And it was a bad antique job, as well.  I smoothed out the streaks with vinegar and made it as good as I could without too much effort.  And I came up with a story for it.

A well-to-do European gentleman and his two young sons were in America on a hunting expedition.  He had some fine and expensive firearms, including a nice hammerless shotgun.  I was hired as a guide.  He and I went into town for supplies while the sons stayed at the cabin in the woods.  They had been told not to handle the finer firearms without him, but they took the shotgun out to shoot.  And they also managed to unwittingly plug the muzzle with mud while crossing a stream and blew the end of the barrels apart when it was fired.  Oops!  They knew their father would be furious so they left it out in the woods until they could come up with a story.  However, a freak snowstorm hit that night, and even though they had to own up to the missing piece when their father returned, it could not be found until the snow had melted weeks later.  Quite rusted.  He did not want it and said I could have it if I wanted it.  The boys were made to earn its replacement.  I sawed off the blown barrel and sanded off the surface rust.  The bores and action were fine and it shoots great.  I thought I might refinish it but figured it would be less likely to be stolen if I left it disguised as a junker.   

[Coffinmaker]

  NECROMANCERS!!  NECROMANCERS !!  Run for your Lives   

I realize this old thread is probably no longer applicable to the OP.  I would think over the ensuing 14 years, the OP has found a Shotgun (Or not).

I just thought with this resurrection, I might share, Cowboy is Hammer Doubles.  With BP or Subs.  With two triggers.  Barrel length - Optional.  Stagecoach Guards-n-Mine Guards-n-Law Men-n-Farmers couldn't afford High End Shotguns (I don't think) and besides, only Hammer guns with All Brass hulls are interesting (my unbiased Opine)

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=45473.msg564336#msg564336

This question is an eternal one it seems. I did a survey severeal years ago on both shotgun developement and shotgun ammo developement. I note some highlights;

1. Under lever guns were available by 1836, in pinfire and by the Wild West era, central fire ammo was available. They were available but only to wealthy afficianados.
2. Break open hammerguns were available throughout our period.
3. Muzzleloading shotguns were being sold until the turn of the century, as were shotgun conversions of old military arms.
4. The English designed boxlock shotgun was also available. Very few made it west in time except for wealthy ranch owners and some professional lawmen.
5. Believe it or not, paper shells preceeded brass! Reloading for shotguns was mandatory throughout most of the Wild West era as loaded shells didn't come from the factories until very late.

[Delmonico]

Paper shotshells were most often sold loaded except for shot, the reason was because there was no industry standard for size.   Sometime in the 1880's the industry standardized on the size system we Americans use today the one used by the Tantam shot tower of St Louis.   This is one reason hand crimp rollers are common items at gun shows today.

[shrapnel]

Technology is all over the place. We think of modern guns that are over 100 years old in design, ie Colt 1911.

Shotguns were typically hammer guns for reason of simplicity and effectiveness in function. I have a George Daw side by side that looks almost new as it's condition is so exceptional. It is over 150 years old. It was made in 1867 and shoots 12 gauge 2 1/2 inch shells. Many think that is normal, but you have to remember that in 1867, the main type of firearm was still percussion.

This gun is one of the earliest guns to utilize the center fire cartridge with outside priming. Again, we think nothing of this today as we have been using this type of priming all our lives, but this was revolutionary. George Daw also owned the patent on center fire priming and had gone through a few lawsuits to protect it.

This gun is not only a beautiful piece but historic in it's place in firearm development. I still use it in Cowboy Action shooting and chasing birds around in the fall...

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Shrapnel

that *is* an exceptional shotgun. beautiful wood & engraving, and in amazing condition!

yhs
prof marvel

[Coffinmaker]

  Oh Oh Oh Wowzers   

That is one super superb Shotgun.  Hammer Double.  Floating Back Locks, English Stock, Exceptional Wood (Bet not original), Tastefully engraved.  What's not to like!!

Ah, Shrapnel, you have an Alarm System??  Auto Yard Lights??    Tall Spiky Fence??     Large Nasty Attack Dogs??    If none of the above, whats yer address    My but that's a NICE Shotgun.  I have a "THING" for Hammer Doubles.  Did I ever mention that??

[shrapnel]

  Oh Oh Oh Wowzers   

That is one super superb Shotgun.  Hammer Double.  Floating Back Locks, English Stock, Exceptional Wood (Bet not original), Tastefully engraved.  What's not to like!!

Actually, that is original wood. That gun is an exceptional piece that has this kind of condition when it is 153 years old. It is such a nice gun, Steven Dodd Hughes did a 2 part write up on it for Shooting Sportsman, a few years ago. He found out all the information on it with the research he did for his article, including the spare firing pins and ejector that were located under the heel plate.

This is one of my prize possessions that I came across accidentally and was glad I did...

[Tascosa Joe]

I remember the article, but best of all the Daw was another of Shrapnel's guns he allowed me to fondle at Cody.  Mr. Hughes is a respected authority on English Doubles and if he says it is original wood, you can take that to the bank.