J.H. Merrill shotgun

[ewmail15]

Hi. Had to chance to pick up a shell of a shotgun, as it had James H. Merrill's stamp on the lockplates. Photos are located on my James H. Merrill tribute site, in this folder - Merrill Shotgun - Willoughbyforme . If anyone has example shotguns that are matches, I'd love to see what you have. I've scoured the web these past few weeks, and came up with one early Manton (on the lockplates) with the exact same metal forend pattern. Also, I've found another Manton from a recent IMA-USA sale with the exact same crosshatch pattern on the grip behind the rectangular brass piece. Anyone with knowledge to share, please contact me. Also looking for any parts to complete/restore this old beauty. Measurements are on my shotgun page, just click the Read More link. Any way to slowly and safely peal back the layers of aging on the trigger guard? Tried tiny, tiny amounts of acetone and liquid sandpaper without effect. Thanks, Eric.

Photo below from the gunauction link (https://classic.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8422515) matches my forend pattern exactly (need login credentials).

Mine...

Breech area/grip pattern of the IMA-USA link (Original British 12 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun by Manton of London - circa 1840) matches mine exactly.

Mine...

 

[ewmail15]

Anyone have a block of aged English walnut? Gunsmith stated I should start looking for one. Good news - just about all the parts are separated. I've attacked the rust on the barrel and think it's almost all repaired. Would like to hear from anyone who might have a matching mainspring and hammers.

 

[ewmail15]

Spent much of last night and today working on the cancerous rust. Think I've removed/neutralized all of it, could have been done with electrolysis, but I just didn't want this beautiful relic to be my first attempt. I saw a few threads showing the six different Damascus styles utilized by the manufacturers of the era. Could someone who's an authority share your assessment on the barrels I have? I spent some time as well polishing up the metal/engraved parts (less the lockplates) and am really happy with the results - as well, the fine craftsmanship on these parts are wonderful. I'll post those later tonight. Thanks, Eric.

 

[ewmail15]

Engraved parts.

 

[ewmail15]

Grouse on the left lockplate, pheasant on the right? Loving everything about this restoration...

 

[ewmail15]

Summarizing my questions here:

- Any thoughts on which Birmingham manufacturer(s) might have sold/shipped this beauty to Merrill?
- Anyone know if retailers like Merrill actually took base/non-engraved firearms and had their in-house engravers (what's official artisan's title?) make their own engravings, including the J.H. Merrill stamps?
- Are the barrels Damascus, and if so which style?
- Does anyone have a right side lockplate that I could scavenge the mainspring and tumbler, or individual pieces? Measurements are in the write-up on my website shotgun page.
- Anyone have, or know of examples like mine that could be used to replicate the stock?
- Anyone know of a gunsmith with the skills to reproduce the stock, or my preference repair my existing stock?

 

[ewmail15]

A few more photos of my shotgun re-assembled. More are on my site. I'll keep searching for parts, maybe find a donor with the exactly same stock as mine (found one, need one more photo of the barrel tang).

 

[ewmail15]

Anyone have Birmingham gun manufacturers books and could help research this oldie, and who might be the gunmaker's or inspector's initials "IC"? Thanks.