old side by side shotgun

Fred SanFilipo

I have received an old side by side shotgun from one of my friends. It is a rabbit eared 12 guage, marked as a F A Loomis IXL model 42.
I have been able to find nothing about this gun anywhere. Can anyone tell me approximately when it was manufactured and by whom? The approximate worth? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks


Doug

Fred SanFilipo

I stumbled on an old side by side shotgun. I wonder if this is the "real deal" or a cheep knock off. It has rabbit ear hammers, and a unique side lever to break open the action. On the side plate is stamped "J. Manton", followed by what looks like 2 crossed swords, followed by what looks to be "Co".

Underside of right barrel is stamped with the following: undecipherable mark; a crescent ")" ; followed by crossed swords;then the number 14; again followed by crossed swords; then the serial number 4616

Underside of the left barrel is stamped again with a undecipherable mark followed by a ) then the crossed swords and again the number 14, followed by the crossed swords. In addition, over the series of marking stamps, is stamped "JP".

On the receiver, right side is stamped again with the crossed swords, followed by serial number 4616. The left side is stamped just with the crossed swords.

The barrels are of laminate steel, and the bores are somewhat pitted. The action locks up tight. It has a English straight stock, and fine checkering, and what looks to be a oval metal engraving plate on the underside. Overall the stock is in good condition. The forend is a splinter type, with a wedge of a different colored wood at the tip, has fine checkering and is held in place with a wedge pin.

Fine etching/scroll work is noted on the hammers, screws, and receiver plate. I can include photos if needed. Thanks for your help.

Hawk Carse

Your undecipherable and partly deciphered markings are not clearly English or Belgian. Of course the Mantons were English but there were a lot of copies coming out of Belgium with slightly mangled versions of English makers' names.

Does it look like the bottom gun with side lever action here?
http://www.littlegun.be/arme britannique/artisan m n o/a manton gb.htm

Pictures will help a lot, especially clear closeup or macro pictures of the markings.

lcdrdanr

There was a "Manton, J & Co" tradename on Belgian shotguns c. 1900; not to be confused with "Manton, Joseph & Sons, Co." makers of sporting arms in London, England from 1835 and who maintained a Calcutta, India branch from 1840 to 1877. Prior to 1835, it was Joseph Manton, Est 1795, London, England.

I suspect yours is a Spanish or Belgian. A Spanish blackpowder proof used a crescent with a star and initials from 1910 and another Spanish blackpowder proof from 1923 consisted of crossed shotgun outlines with a number superimposed.

Clear, close up photos might help but without English marks any connection with Joseph Manoton of London is probably far fetched.

Dan R

rufe-snow

The proof marks appear to be English. We would have to see quality close up photos of them, and the shotgun to help you with the identification and value.

v35

There needs to be a crown over V, BP, GP, NP or BV.
Crossed edged weapons also need to have a crown over them and either a B,P&C or a V between between them to be British.