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Old Hammered Doubles questions ...
jayefsee
Member Posts: 24 ✭✭
You folks were such a big help with my Beretta question, here's another. After all of the talk I've heard about old doubles, with Damascus barrels, blowing up, I thought I better ask about this one. This is an old hammered double barrel shotgun. It has 30" barrels. Top of the right barrel is marked "ROYAL STEEL"; the top of the left barrel is marked "HUNTER ARMS Co. MAKERS, FULTON, N Y." .In front of the hammers, on both sides, is the name "L. C. SMITH". It is a 12 gauge, although that is not marked on the gun anywhere. The serial number is the same on all three pieces "159XXX" with the letter "F" under it. The end piece on the stock has the head of a dog with a bird in its mouth. Good clean gun. No rust . looks all original . blue in protected areas . turning to brown on top . checkered stock and forepiece. So when was it made ? . Are these barrels "Damascus" ? . should it be safe to shoot ? . and any idea as to value ? . Those pesky insurance agents ask all kinds of questions. Thanks in advance for your help.
JFC
JFC
Comments
Type in( royal steel hunter arms )into Google and read Grampa's shotgun by Briley. Also refer to two guns simaler to yours.Royal steel could be laminate not twist.
dennis
Royal Steel is just that! Not damascus. Not laminate. These tubes were designed for smokeless powder and are among the best ever made. The only consideration is chamber relief for today's slightly longer shells.
Royal Steel made the transition to the later hammerless models. I happen to have two hanging on the wall not 20' away.
As to your particular gun, the 12ga. is at the bottom of the barrel as far as collectors are concerned... That's the bad news. The good news is the bottom of the Elcee barrel is well over the top of many others.
Value will be most affected by case colors on the receiver. Faded blue on the tubes will be of somewhat less concern. Make sure the wrist of the stock is uncracked and intact. Insurance won't be a factor as the gun probably won't bring even $500.00 on a good day and $150.00 less on most.
One more thing... Nice gun!
Nord
JFC
My heros have always killed cowboys.