Off Aviation Inquiry

[170C]

The question I have is totally off C-170 subject, but I know we have a bunch of gun experts in our organization so I have a question regarding a gun I have. This is an old, double barrel (side-by-side) shotgun. I believe it to be 12 gauge. It has hammers and each hammer when fired strikes a round, hollow (firing nozzle??). The gun is in poor condition, but was owned by my father-in-law who was a hobby gunsmith, collector. The manufacture appears to be T. Barher, but some of the letters are difficult to recognize. Couldn't locate a serial number. Any help or suggestions where to search for information on the mfg would be appreciated.

Frank

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Well Frank I'm not an expert either. But I have figured out how to use Google. If you do a search for T. Barher shotgun you will get about 6 hours worth of reading and pictures for t. barker shotguns. Pretty much all you might want to know.

[170C]

Thanks Bruce. I couldn't make out that it might be T Barker and having never heard of that mfg I wasn't able to see Barker. I knew someone would give me guidance----I usually need it

[Bramlett]

It's a good wall hanger.

[blueldr]

Sounds to me like it might be a muzzel loader using percussion caps.

[Kyle Wolfe]

Frank, Bruce is right on target. It's T. Barker (k not h). Do some searching and you'll find some info.

Since the two protrusions that the hammers would hit (called nipples) are hollow you've got a muzzleloader like bluelder states.

The barrels on these were likely damascus which instead of a hammer forged steel like is used today, consisted of laminating or building a tube by twisting alternate strips of iron and steel around a fixed rod (mandrel) and forge-welding them. As others have said, these are not safe for use with today's smokeless powders nor would I shoot it using black powder.

It's a wall hanger and while it may not likely be worth too much the sentimental value may be 'priceless'.

Like the elusive 'plane in a barn' there are many of us hunting for the prize of finding an expensive firearm (say Parker not Barker ) found tucked away in someone's closet and they only want to get rid of it for a small price!

And in case Becky asks you "What are you going to do with that firearm?" do like my Dad would do and reply "Someday they'll look good on my estate auction!" I'm glad he bought as many as he did - and can only wish he had bought more! Enjoy your find.

[170C]

Thanks Kyle. Yes, Bruce figured out what I had and gave me that info so I could look it up. Seems what I have is an old shotgun that was likely sold by Sears Roebuck back in the earlier part of the 20th century and has virtually no value other than the sentimental value you mentioned. My Becky won't likely say much as it was her Dad who owned the gun. When he died several years ago the relatives pounced on his nice collection of guns (he was a hunter and hobby gun smith who did lots of work on his and other folks guns). I was able to get my son-in-law a couple and one each for my two grandsons. They will get more use out of them, especially my son-in-law, than I would. When it was all over I just took the old double barrel because I thought it looked neat/cool even though it is in poor condition. As you said, its a wall hanger.