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- Aug 26, 2021
- Location
- North Carolina
Happy to report that I'm the new owner of a genuine Confederate used shotgun. How do I know it was Confederate? This shotgun is featured in the book Confederate & Southern Agent Marked Shotguns by Russ A. Pritchard and John W. Ashworth. (on pages 134 & 135)
This shotgun was made in Birmingham, England and shows the commercial proof marks on the bottom of both barrels. The Birmingham View mark (crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the V in the lower quadrant) is stamped on both breech plugs. The same mark is repeated on both barrels. The number 12 (the bore or gauge size) is stamped on both barrels. The final proof of the Birmingham Proof House (crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the letters BPC in the other three quadrants) is stamped on both barrels.
The shotgun has been altered for mounted use. As discussed in the book, "Examples of shotguns modified for mounted use (that were) examined indicate barrels were not shortened to a uniform length but usually between 18 to 24 inches… No Ordinance Department instructions or related documents have been found that enumerate the modifications to those shotguns intended for mounted use. Several documents have been located that unquestionably prove that shotguns were "cut off" for use by mounted troops." Also, "Actual examples of such shotguns are quite rare. This rarity suggests only a limited number were altered and there was a very low survival rate. It is probable that many were discarded in postwar years because with shortened barrels they were useless for hunting."
This example was imported by Alexander McComas of Baltimore Maryland. Information on Mr. McComas and his business are presented from the book in pictures below.
As described in the book, "The shotgun is 39 inches overall with 23.5 inch, 12 bore shortened barrels. The barrels have platinum blowouts. There is an undecipherable single line engraving on the top barrel rib. There is no front site. The bottom of the barrels are stamped with standard Birmingham proofs and are numbered "2166" on each barrel."
As has been advised here by many, buy the books & research first. I knew I wanted a CW shotgun and all the better if it was Confederate. I purchased the book, read it, and when I came across this one for sale I was able to recognize it for what it is and bought it.
I have seen other shotguns that are presented in Confederate & Southern Agent Marked Shotguns listed for sale with prices between $2k-$3k. I'm pleased to say that I purchased this one for a fraction of those prices. I suspect (but cannot be sure) that the owner was unaware that this was a confirmed Confederate used shotgun. Regardless I am very pleased to have it as part of my meager collection.
This shotgun was made in Birmingham, England and shows the commercial proof marks on the bottom of both barrels. The Birmingham View mark (crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the V in the lower quadrant) is stamped on both breech plugs. The same mark is repeated on both barrels. The number 12 (the bore or gauge size) is stamped on both barrels. The final proof of the Birmingham Proof House (crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the letters BPC in the other three quadrants) is stamped on both barrels.
The shotgun has been altered for mounted use. As discussed in the book, "Examples of shotguns modified for mounted use (that were) examined indicate barrels were not shortened to a uniform length but usually between 18 to 24 inches… No Ordinance Department instructions or related documents have been found that enumerate the modifications to those shotguns intended for mounted use. Several documents have been located that unquestionably prove that shotguns were "cut off" for use by mounted troops." Also, "Actual examples of such shotguns are quite rare. This rarity suggests only a limited number were altered and there was a very low survival rate. It is probable that many were discarded in postwar years because with shortened barrels they were useless for hunting."
This example was imported by Alexander McComas of Baltimore Maryland. Information on Mr. McComas and his business are presented from the book in pictures below.
As described in the book, "The shotgun is 39 inches overall with 23.5 inch, 12 bore shortened barrels. The barrels have platinum blowouts. There is an undecipherable single line engraving on the top barrel rib. There is no front site. The bottom of the barrels are stamped with standard Birmingham proofs and are numbered "2166" on each barrel."
As has been advised here by many, buy the books & research first. I knew I wanted a CW shotgun and all the better if it was Confederate. I purchased the book, read it, and when I came across this one for sale I was able to recognize it for what it is and bought it.
I have seen other shotguns that are presented in Confederate & Southern Agent Marked Shotguns listed for sale with prices between $2k-$3k. I'm pleased to say that I purchased this one for a fraction of those prices. I suspect (but cannot be sure) that the owner was unaware that this was a confirmed Confederate used shotgun. Regardless I am very pleased to have it as part of my meager collection.
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