C G Bonehill 20 Gauge Black Powder

RifleRick

Hi,
I came across a shotgun, this is the information I have on it:

C G Bonehill
Birmingham, England
20 Gauge
Black Powder
Single barrel shotgun
Condition: Good to Excellent
Age: Old but unable to determine exactly
Barrel length 819 mm or 32 1/4"
Barrel diameter is approx 14mm
On the trigger guard, it lists the number 20 (which I assume means 20 gauge shotgun, but the diameter appears to be smaller than a modern 20 gauge shotgun)

After looking at the gun very closely, there are no dates stamped, nor could I find any serial number.
The gun also utilizes a cap for firing and the hammer has a two position safe mode and a two position cocking mechanism.

Has engravings and a very fine delicate stockk, the gun is very light in weight.

Any info is very much appreciated.



Thanks to all,

Rick

Old Gunny

Maybe this might help- the late Southern Gentleman Nash Buckingham wrote about a few Bonehill hammer double guns that were used during his boyhood (1880-1910) aprox. time frame. Sounds likea fine piece of workmanship-sorry, can't shed any more light that this.

He Dog

According to Boothroyd:

C. G. Bonehill Ltd, Birmingham, 1851-1965

Christopher G. Bonehill was born in 1831, and apprenticed to Mr. Aston, a young gun maker and government contractor. Presumably this was some years after his birth.

He founded his firm in 1851 and by 1870 supplied military rifles to the French government. He built the Belmont range of A & D actioned shotguns and some sidelock guns as well as top lever hammer guns, and hammerless shotguns.

Mr. Bonehill was prominent in the trade and was a Guardian of the Birmingham Proof House for 28 years.

This does not offer any history on YOUR shotgun, but suggests that it should be possible to track down some information, as this was a prominant Birmingham firm for over 100 years. Good Luck!

Mk 19

Here is are a few links that will take you to other conversations we have had on the Bonehill's:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=205538&SearchTerms=bonehill
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=93416&SearchTerms=bonehill
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=252830&SearchTerms=bonehill
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=258789&SearchTerms=bonehill
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=164488&SearchTerms=bonehill

32 Magnum

If the muzzle measures 14mm, it is closer to .44 cal. than to 20 gauge. It is in essence a black powder, muzzle loading fowling piece, roughly equivalent to a .410 bore modern shotgun.

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by 32 Magnum
If the muzzle measures 14mm, it is closer to .44 cal. than to 20 gauge. It is in essence a black powder, muzzle loading fowling piece, roughly equivalent to a .410 bore modern shotgun.


Not true.

.44 caliber is the same as 11mm.
.410 is equivalent to 10.4mm
14mm is equivalent to a 28 gauge (Cyl).