June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2018
This is one of the more unusual designs to come out of the 1830-40's era when many gun makers were experimenting with breech loading weapons as well as self contained cartridges. The proprietary cartridge was self-contained in a paper/cardboard type tube. At the rear of the cartridge protruded a small percussion tube that operated similar to a pinfire cartridge. The action operates by lifting up on the upper tang to unlock and swing the breech open, exposing the rear of the barrel/chambers to load the cartridge. Then by closing/lowering the upper tang, it cocks the internal hammers, which then can strike the noted percussion firing tube on the rear of the cartridge. The significance of this shotgun and cartridge is that in 1831 Abraham Moser was granted an English patent (6196) on using this cartridge with a centerfire cap base and later J.A. Roberts was granted a French patent (8061) in which he combined the two and developed the rimfire cartridge. This gun is marked in gold on the top of the barrel "FUSIL ROBERT Bte A PARIS". Marked on the rear of the action "ACADie L'INieFRANCAISE/ MEDAILE/ D OR/ 1833". Fine scroll engraving on the action and trigger guard. Engraved on the inside of the action lever on the left side "C24 No 95". Damascus barrels retain most of the original pattern with 85% applied brown finish. Slight dings and dents in both barrels. Bores are dirty but fine, action is in good mechanical function. Birdseye stock is very good with dings and handling marks. There is a crack that appears to have been pinned a very long time ago on either side going from the rear of the trigger guard to the middle of the action. Beautiful relief carved finial of forend. Checkering is very good with well defined edges.