megasupermagnum
45 Cal.
As the title says, I believe I have purchased an original percussion SXS shotgun. I never could come to like my Pedersoli, it just wasn't for me. I have been looking for some time, but everything I found was either junk or $3000+. One day this "10 gauge Lane" came on for $700. The finish was well worn, otherwise I didn't see any rust or pitting. The bores looked good. My only hold back was the 26" barrels. I like a more forward bias than many shotgun shooters. I finally decided to buy it anyway, it wasn't a huge investment.
So it showed up today, and it looked better than the pictures. The bores are very nice looking from what I can see, I'll try some heavy loads first with a string, but I see no reason to question the safety of them. The first thing I did was bring it up, and found the stock fit me like it was built for me. I also noticed how heavy the barrels were. It has a nice forward weight bias, as I prefer. According to my scale, it is 8 pounds 14 ounces. Contrary to many, I'd rather have a large bore shotgun weight closer to 10-11 pounds, but 9 is just fine. I ran the ramrod down to make sure it was not loaded, and ran a few patches down to check for roughness. I then noticed both barrels were noticeably tighter at the muzzle. I measured the muzzles, and found some odd number. I then broke out my bore gauges, and found that they are choked. I also found it is not a 10 gauge. The right barrel bore (about 3" down from muzzle) is .808", and the muzzle is .798". The left barrel bore is .804", and the muzzle is .792". So what I really have is a SXS 9 gauge, and both barrels are choked about Improved Cylinder. I really like the small details of this gun. Somebody took the time to make sure details as small as the screws were perfect. Even the screw head slots are all perfectly inline with the gun. There is a notch at the muzzle to retain the ramrod from moving under recoil. The wedge keys are captive like the Pedersoli. I'm really impressed by the triggers. The springs are very strong, stronger than any lock I've handled before, yet the triggers break nice and clean around 5 pounds.
Now that brings me to my question, is there any way to figure out who made this? Did I make a good purchase? The add said it was a "Lane", which is scribed on both locks. By my quick research, Lane could have been a few people, but all seemed to be English lock makers. The only writing I've found on the barrel is on the top rib, it says "fine London twist". The solder used for the barrels is also silver, which I'm told points to being British. I've taken a picture of the bottom of the barrels, but they are only stamps, I can only assume are proof marks. I have not found a signature of any kind.
This was the auction, with even more pictures. Nice Original Lane 10 Gauge side x side Muzzleloading Shotgun Percussion - Black Powder Rifles & Muzzleloader Rifles at GunBroker.com : 888995953
So it showed up today, and it looked better than the pictures. The bores are very nice looking from what I can see, I'll try some heavy loads first with a string, but I see no reason to question the safety of them. The first thing I did was bring it up, and found the stock fit me like it was built for me. I also noticed how heavy the barrels were. It has a nice forward weight bias, as I prefer. According to my scale, it is 8 pounds 14 ounces. Contrary to many, I'd rather have a large bore shotgun weight closer to 10-11 pounds, but 9 is just fine. I ran the ramrod down to make sure it was not loaded, and ran a few patches down to check for roughness. I then noticed both barrels were noticeably tighter at the muzzle. I measured the muzzles, and found some odd number. I then broke out my bore gauges, and found that they are choked. I also found it is not a 10 gauge. The right barrel bore (about 3" down from muzzle) is .808", and the muzzle is .798". The left barrel bore is .804", and the muzzle is .792". So what I really have is a SXS 9 gauge, and both barrels are choked about Improved Cylinder. I really like the small details of this gun. Somebody took the time to make sure details as small as the screws were perfect. Even the screw head slots are all perfectly inline with the gun. There is a notch at the muzzle to retain the ramrod from moving under recoil. The wedge keys are captive like the Pedersoli. I'm really impressed by the triggers. The springs are very strong, stronger than any lock I've handled before, yet the triggers break nice and clean around 5 pounds.
Now that brings me to my question, is there any way to figure out who made this? Did I make a good purchase? The add said it was a "Lane", which is scribed on both locks. By my quick research, Lane could have been a few people, but all seemed to be English lock makers. The only writing I've found on the barrel is on the top rib, it says "fine London twist". The solder used for the barrels is also silver, which I'm told points to being British. I've taken a picture of the bottom of the barrels, but they are only stamps, I can only assume are proof marks. I have not found a signature of any kind.
This was the auction, with even more pictures. Nice Original Lane 10 Gauge side x side Muzzleloading Shotgun Percussion - Black Powder Rifles & Muzzleloader Rifles at GunBroker.com : 888995953
I worry the sawhorse idea may not work with the recoil likely to happen here. I wonder if simply laying out a big tarp, laying the gun down low on sandbags or similar, and letting it recoil where it recoils. It sounds rough, but I think that may actually be gentler on the stock than any attempt to retain it.
