Antique SxS Spend my $$

[Sierra Hunter]

I love the idea of hunting with a cool piece of history and currently use a CZ Sharptail but would love to invest in something a bit richer in history and cooler. Love the idea of old American made guns, Ithaca, etc. If I was going to invest 2-3k what would I be looking at? I feel like they’re classic cars which I also know nothing about, please school me.

 

[digger]

Fox or Parker

 

[Wrench]

I have a bunch of SxS guns. These are my favorite field guns. First is a Parker Del GrecoVH in 12 follwed by a Browning BSS grade 2, BSS standard and a Belgian guild gun in 16ga.

A Browning BSS is the toughest gun you'll ever own. A light 16ga is a joy to carry. A fancy Parker draws a lot of attention and feels special.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I have a bunch of SxS guns. These are my favorite field guns. First is a Parker Del GrecoVH in 12 follwed by a Browning BSS grade 2, BSS standard and a Belgian guild gun in 16ga.

A Browning BSS is the toughest gun you'll ever own. A light 16ga is a joy to carry. A fancy Parker draws a lot of attention and feels special.


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What are your thought on double triggers, do you find it difficult to buy ammo for the 16ga?

 

[Jason Snyder]

What are your thought on double triggers, do you find it difficult to buy ammo for the 16ga?

I buy 16 by the case from Roger’s. I get the Fiocchi HV for about $170 a case shipped.

Double triggers are fine. They just take a little getting used to.

 

[Nine Banger]

I like LC Smith and Remington 1894. Parkers are cool but overrated. 3K can get any of these, but the Remington will be the most adorned for the $. Watch out for cut barrels and loose barrels at muzzle.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I like LC Smith and Remington 1894. Parkers are cool but overrated. 3K can get any of these, but the Remington will be the most adorned for the $. Watch out for cut barrels and loose barrels at muzzle.

What are common things to look out for and are there years that are better or to avoided?

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I buy 16 by the case from Roger’s. I get the Fiocchi HV for about $170 a case shipped.

Double triggers are fine. They just take a little getting used to.

Are all classic guns doubles?

 

[Nine Banger]

LC Smith and Parker guys nerd out. There's lots of stuff on the net and serial number look ups, etc.

I used to have this kind of stuff on the tip of my tongue but I lost interest.

I wouldn't buy anything with a wood repair. This shows modern pressure shells were used more often than a drop.

Most barrels will be around 30" in that era. 28" may be OK...anything lower is probably chopped.

Marketeers of this era wanted guns to "hit hard" so a lot of them have fixed full chokes.

If there is a problem with the barrel solder, it will usually be present right at the muzzel. Sometimes the pieces is just slightly detached but once it goes the barrels are no longer regulated to hit same spot at 40 yards or whatever the manufacturer spec'd out.

Most early century guns shot low pressure shells too. RST is a prolific manufacturer. Remington makes a low pressure load I think its around 980 fps but hard to find.

I personally own/owned 4 guns:
- LC Smith "syracuse" hammer gun (had to resolder the barrels and the stock and barrels were chopped, impulse buy)
- LC Smith 1E field gun, still have it. Damascus barrels. Nice piece. It's listed on gunbroker
- Remington 1894 field grade. This was a cool gun, but it had one full cylinder and one "cyl" barrel and it had "ordinance" barrels
- Remington 1894 C grade. This is the mack daddy. Stars and Stripes damascus, upgraded engraving. These guns are sleepers because if it was an LC or Parker it would probably sell for $10,000.00 or more but they can be had for $3600-$4000 because they are not as popular. This gun is on gunbroker. It's cool because it has modern dimensions and modern chokes. I like to think whoever ordered it back in the day knew their stuff.

 

[Nine Banger]

Are all classic guns doubles?

My understanding is all guns were single or double barrel until pumps came out.

The reason for a double was to get an extra shell but its like a double rifle. Hand made, more or less 2 guns on one stock really, and requires a lot of hand work. Almost all the Damascus barrels were forged by craftsman in Belgium. American ingenuity brought about the pumps and autos and eliminated the market for nice doubles.

I can't recall who decided to start stacking barrels on top of each other but boy did that take off.

All this stuff shifted not too long ago in the grand scheme.

It's fascinating. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Nine Banger]

I love this video. It's cool even if you're not into old shotguns.

Old school firearms methodology.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Apologies I was referencing double triggers. I’ve never had one and they seem like a hassle.

My understanding is all guns were single or double barrel until pumps came out.

The reason for a double was to get an extra shell but its like a double rifle. Hand made, more or less 2 guns on one stock really, and requires a lot of hand work. Almost all the Damascus barrels were forged by craftsman in Belgium. American ingenuity brought about the pumps and autos and eliminated the market for nice doubles.

I can't recall who decided to start stacking barrels on top of each other but boy did that take off.

All this stuff shifted not too long ago in the grand scheme.

It's fascinating. Enjoy the journey