Original British 14 Gauge Double Barrel Side Lever Hammer Shotgun by W. H. James Serial 26051 – circa 1870 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a typical British-made Double Barreled Hammer shotgun, possibly intended for the large U.S. import market. It is marked on both lock plates with W. H. JAMES., a gunmaker in Birmingham who was apparently part of the large James family of gunmakers. We were able to find a reference to two similarly named makers in English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century by De Witt Bailey and Douglas A. Nie. The book has a reference to James, Henry William. in 1868 at 48 Whittal Street, as well as James, Henry, William & Charles in 1873 at 48 Whittal Street. Definitely still some room here for further research!

The barrel strap still has a clear marking near the breech:

WARRANTED LONDON FINE TWIST

It indicates that the barrel is “damascus” forged, resulting in a lovely pattern due to the laminated nature of the steel, which also adds strength. The finish on the barrels is faded, but the spiral forging lines are still readily apparent. The bottoms of each barrel bear the correct Birmingham proof marks, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks. There is also the CROWN / BP definitive proof, and a 14 marking, indicating “14 bore” or about .693″. There are additional markings as well, probably indicating other aspects of the barrel. The shotgun is also serial number marked with 26051 on the bottom of the barrel, on the fitting for the fore stock, and on the top of the receiver inside the hinge joint.

This very nice DOUBLE BARREL 14 gauge Hammer Shotgun presents very nicely, and features the rarer “side lever” operation for opening, where a lever on the left side pushes down, unlocking the breech. It has a lovely patina of age, showing that it probably saw some amount of use during its service life. The rear stock is straight, with a checkered wrist and a lovely shield shaped escutcheon on the bottom. Originally intended for hunting and home defense these saw a lot of use on the Frontier and were supplied to both Stage Coach Lines and Railroads.

The action still functions correctly, with the ejector presenting, and the shotgun can be broken down easily. Both locks function correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. Both firing pins move freely, though the right side pin bolster is partly missing. We checked the bore, and they are in good shape, showing some past oxidation and fouling.

A very nice antique side lever hammer shotgun, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1870
Caliber: about .693″ 14 gauge / bore – 3 inch chambers
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Back Action Locks with External Hammer
Feed System: Top Break with Side Lever

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.