W MOORE & CO SHOTGUN

jcjeidy

I have a double hammer shotgun that I am having trouble finding information on it. It has the following on the top between the two barrels: "W. Moore & Co London Laminated Steel" I also found markings on the barrels under the handrest. One looks like a serial number of 9296. The other markings looking like a guage (12) but a 10 guage shell fits nicely in the chamber. Which is why I always thought it was 10 gauge. There are also testing marks but I am not sure what country. If anyone has any information or suggestion(s) on where to look it would be appreciated. I can also send pictures if needed. DETAIL PICTURES BELOW.

nononsense

jcjeidy,

Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

Please post your photographs, it would be a big help. If you need guidance for posting these photographs, there is a 'Sticky' at the top of the Ask the Experts forum.

Besides the descriptive pictures of the shotgun, we could use photographs of the area under the forearm, the water table and the area under the chambers. The reason is that besides the original W. Moore in London, there were two others in England, 3 in the U.S. and the highly probable contingency from Belgium. The proof marks and manufacturer's marks will tell the story.

The original Wm. Moore and Company produced good grade English shotguns in side action. Wm. Moore & Co. made good grade English side-action shotguns c. 1853- 1895 at 43 Old Bond Street in London.

The name Wm. Moore and Company was later used on Belgium made bar-locks sold by the H. & D. Folsom Arms Company of NYC.

William Moore & Company was a Henri Pieper trade brand on Belgium made shotguns. Henri Pieper worked from 1877 to 1898.

Best.

jcjeidy

As suggested here are a few pictures that I hope will help [img][/img]http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=264336010/PictureID=6571577631/a=2292763_2292763/t_=2292763
[img][/img]

Madman

John;

Welcome to the forum. Nononsense hit the nail on the head as usual. He is one with quite alot of knowledge and common sense.
I have restored two of these weapons in the past. I enjoyed the history and research I had to do to come close to a respectiable restore. Both were true basket cases missing some parts.
Send me an e-mail with more pics and maybe I can dig up some more info.

Paul
Mountain Magic Gunsmithing

jcjeidy

I have added additional pictures to the original posting. Does this give enough additional detail to allow someone to give more information on this gun?

v35

We need a sharper focused closeup view of the underside of the breech end of the barrels and a good closeup of markings of the top of the receiver where the barrels rest (water table) with barrels removed.
So far what I can make of your proofs doesn't match up with English proof house markings.
I have a Will'm Moore London, Laminated steel double that has markings corresponding to Birmingham proof house marks. It is a percussion
gun at least 50 years older than your own. Breech loading guns carry some proof markings on the water table whereas percussions carry them all under the barrel, so these need to be seen.
The 12 does indicate 12 gauge . However, whatever gauge it is, the chamber depth needs to be measured and the proper length black powder shells need to be used.

rokrvrrob69

Hello John, I think this might be amazing story, but we where also searching for info one a gun idintical to yours, and we found your forum. The story I was told was that my great great great grandfather on my father side had 2 of these guns special made. Hima and his brother? had gone hunting with them and they hopped trains to go to different spots supossedly one was left on the train and I aquired the other one. We have looked at pictures of the gun and it appears to be identical to mine. Same markings and everything. Funny thing is, your last name is the same as my grandmothers maiden name on my mothers side. Would be neat to find out if there is more to the guns then what we already know. Please feel free to email me. Thanks- Rob Kress