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Unique Gold Inlaid Forsyth & Co. Double Barrel Roller Primer Percussion Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Shotguns Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Unique Gold Inlaid Forsyth & Co. Double Barrel Roller Primer Percussion Shotgun
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Unique Gold Inlaid Forsyth & Co. Double Barrel Roller Primer Percussion Shotgun

Manufactured circa 1813. This shotgun is equipped with a pair of engraved roller primer shotgun mechanisms, copied from the Forsyth & Co., patents. The original design was invented by the Reverend Alexander Forsyth (1758-1843), as a roller primer gun mechanisms or scent bottle type percussion locks,as they have a reservoir for mercury fulminate powder. Rotating the scent bottle deposited a small quantity of the fulminate on the touchhole which primed the gun. When the trigger was pulled the hammer struck the fulminate and the flame ignited the gunpowder in the barrel. The solid rib has been engraved and gold inlayed "FORSYTH & Co LONDON". The top of the breech has been restamped with two gold hallmarks reading "FORSYTH/& CO'S/ PATENT" and has two gold bands with diamonds at the rear. The lock plates have been re-engraved with "FORSYTH & Co/PATENT" and both feature a scroll engraved and sunburst pattern towards the center. An additional sunburst pattern appears at the rear of the barrel rib. The barrels have a Damascus pattern. The hammers are also scroll engraved with a floral pattern on the tops. The trigger guard has a square front, a pineapple finial and light engraving. The straight grip stock features multi-point checkering, a silver escutcheon on top of the wrist with an illegible monogram, a silver forend tip insert, a cheekpiece and a flat metal buttplate with an engraved extended tang. It has a brass tipped ebony ramrod. Length of pull is 14 inches.

Manufucture: English
Model: Side By Side
BBL: 27 1/2 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Guage: 12
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Fine. The barrels retain half of the period brown Damascus pattern with the balance a smooth gray patina. Overall the action components have faded to a silver-gray. A few areas of minor pitting are present. The wood is excellent with a some minor pressure dents and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically fine. Roller primer Forsyth Patent shotguns are rare and represent a unique piece of history to the evolution of firearm manufacturing.