3017 CIVIL WAR PERIOD "CONFEDERATE" SHOTGUN BY F.H.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,750.00 USD
Estimated at 3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
CLARK OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. Cal. 12 Ga. NSN. Bbls. 33 1/4". This extraordinary double barrel, 12 Ga. shotgun was retailed by F.H. Clark & Co. of Memphis, Tennessee. It likely saw extensive use during the Civil War, likely by Confederate mounted troops. This exact gun is pictured on pages 206 through 209 of the book, "Confederate and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns" by Pritchard & Ashworth. Round barrels with a large bridge that has been inlaid with gold letters that reads "IMPORTED & WARRANTED BY F.H. CLARK & CO MEMPHIS TENN:". There is a bead sight near the muzzle and gold inlaid lines at the breech. On the underside of each barrel, covered by the forestock, are 3 Birmingham proofs, 2 stamped "12" marks, "Laminated Steel", and "H & S". The "H & S" likely represents the firm of Hollis & Sheath of Birmingham, England. The front action locks are engraved with dogs, grouse, woodcock, and foliate motifs. The locks are marked "JOSEPH MANTON & SON PATENTEES". The hammers are engraved in a complimentary motif to the locks. Engraved iron trigger guard, engraved buttplate, engraved barrel tang, engraved barrel pin escutcheons, and plain ramrod thimbles. There is a small gold shield escutcheon at the base of the butt. The walnut stock has crosshatching at the wrist. Wooden ramrod is likely an early replacement. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a book titled "Confederate and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns" by Pritchard & Ashworth. CONDITION: barrel has a dark overall patina, as do the locks and other iron parts. Gold inlays are virtually complete. Locks hold both full and half cock. There has been a break at the wrist that has been skillfully repaired with two 4 1/2" brass straps with 7 countersunk screws on each side. There are several gouges & small missing pieces of wood in the forestock, likely due to heavy use during the war. Good bores. (01-24219/BF). ANTIQUE. $3,500-4,500.