late 1800 or early 1900 double barrel

Ak Cowboy

My father in law has an old syracuse arms (new twist) double barrel shotgun. The barrel looks stock @ 16 3/16" and does not appear to be cut down. He got it from his grand father. Was it made like this? Is it even legal to own?
serial # 20282 it has a C under the forearm

1KYDSTR

Anything under "18 modern is for sure verboten. I would assume the same goes for black powder, being a SBS. There were some guns made near that timeframe that WERE shorter than what is now legal (H&R Handi-rifles come to mind)but they had to be registered and tax stamped in the GCA of 1968, and have accompanying paper work to prove it...assume you don't have that. Anyway, a Meridian arms double was never made in that barrel length to my knowledge. Recipe for federal time.

rufe-snow

If it's a breech loader, i.e. with conventional shotgun shells, tell him to get rid of it. The badge boys wouldn't know a antique shotgun from a pimple on their rectum. If they caught him with it they would just throw him in slammer, and call the feds.

Garth

From one Oklahoma cowboy to AK Cowboy, welcome to the forums. Having said that, per your description you have an according to the letter of the law "illegal shotgun" unless you can prove otherwise. Also there are a lot of "secret squirells" who transparently patrol websites and you just gave "them" the serial numbers to it. If it were my grandpa's shotgun, I would cut the barrells (like it was yesterday)in front of the chamber portion with a saw and find a compitent gunsmith who can attach new "long" barrells this saving "grandpa's" shotgun. Just my two cents! Hope this helps. Best

Garth

quote:Originally posted by Garth
From one Oklahoma cowboy to AK Cowboy, welcome to the forums. Having said that, per your description you have an according to the letter of the law "illegal shotgun" unless you can prove otherwise. Also there are a lot of "secret squirells" who transparently patrol websites and you just gave "them" the serial numbers to it. If it were my grandpa's shotgun, 1st, completely remove the barrells from the receiver. 2nd, cut the barrells (like it was yesterday)in front of the chamber portion with a saw thus rendering the shotgun inoperable! 2nd, remove the firing pins/hammers from the shotgun receiver, rendering the receiver useless(until new barrells have been installed) Remove the firing pins/hammers from your address entirely! Give them to a friend,family member, or ffl for safe keeping until! 3rd, find a compitant gunsmith who can install new "long" barrells thus saving grandpa's shotgun. Just my two cents! Hope this helps. Best

Ned Fall

What the others have told you about barrel length and legality is true. Remove the barrels from the gun and keep them separated from the frame . Now, the gun is what is commonly referred to as a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun but that is not quite true in this case. A true "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker for and was sold by some wholesaler or retailer who chose the name o go on the gun. There was a Syracuse Arms Company which was located in Syracuse,NY from 1893 to 1908. They made two models of hammerless double barrel shotguns for a total of 35,751 guns. All these gun were made with barrels over 22 inches long. The company was bought out by the Ithaca Arms Company. The cost of restoring the gun will be more than it is worth. You can search the gun auction sites for replacement barrels or parts guns but you have two chances of finding replacement barrels, very slim and none. Or if you wish, you can sell the frame and wood of your gun for parts salvage on the same auction sites.

BigLoop22

Ak Cowboy,

You may be able to lengthen your barrels, by permanently attaching muzzle extensions, or sleeves, to what you already have. However, you may want to see what a gunsmith would charge you to do this.

wpage

The value of those type guns is very low typically so you have very little to lose. Even with legal barrels on it in the area of $100.00 as your baseline.