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What Can You Tell Me About George Davison, Alnwick England?

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Joined
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Location
Saratoga County, New York
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Last week at a gun show, I happened across a beautiful 10 bore percussion gun, marked “Geo. Davison”. It appears to have been a converted flintlock, since part of the breech end is a separate piece. Damascus barrel with a “brown/antique” finish that had flaked in a few places towards the muzzle. The gentleman with the gun is local to me, and I am considering making him an offer on the gun. However, I’m still pretty green and trying to learn, and doing my best to avoid learning the hard way, though that hasn’t panned out so well so far :)

I guess I have a couple of questions:

1. Is anyone familiar with this makers work?

2. Would this gun be suitable for both shot and prb? The owner said he had only fired shot with it.

3. What is the deal with the finish? I’m unfamiliar with a brown finish that is applied to the barrel that will flake off.

I apologize for the poor photos, I was trying to be quick as not to block other show goers. Thanks in advance!
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I would guess that Geo. Davison was a retailer who ordered guns from a manufacturer, likely from Burmingham, or Liege (Belgium). Over all, it's pretty shiny, so it may well have been restored. The finish on the lock and hardware (most clearly on the tang) is either case colors, or intended to look like case colors. The wood is really nice, as is the finish, although I would doubt that the finish is original. The browing on the barrel was certainly the British standard of the 19th century, it is closely related to cold rust bluing (if that's a restoration, it's a pretty nice job). If the bore looks as good as the rest of the gun and the barrel thickness is solid, that's a pretty reasonable price as an original or as a restoration.
 
I would guess that Geo. Davison was a retailer who ordered guns from a manufacturer, likely from Burmingham, or Liege (Belgium). Over all, it's pretty shiny, so it may well have been restored. The finish on the lock and hardware (most clearly on the tang) is either case colors, or intended to look like case colors. The wood is really nice, as is the finish, although I would doubt that the finish is original. The browing on the barrel was certainly the British standard of the 19th century, it is closely related to cold rust bluing (if that's a restoration, it's a pretty nice job). If the bore looks as good as the rest of the gun and the barrel thickness is solid, that's a pretty reasonable price as an original or as a restoration.
I checked out the bore at the show with a small light dropped down the barrel, and it was as clean and shiny as any gun that I have (that's a good thing). Obviously you can't tell the breech end too well, but from what I could see, it looked fantastic.

The lock was smoother than any lock I have, actually, it put the production guns I have to shame. The gun was very shiny, especially the case pieces, which leads me to believe it was restored at some point. Really, overall a beautiful gun. Perfect, no, but indeed beautiful.

I'm going to try to meet with the seller soon to see what I can learn about it in a less "busy" setting and will probably end up buying it. I'll post photos if/when that happens.
 
When it comes to shooting balls look at it this way. 1.5-2.0 ounces of lead is 1.5 or 2.0 ounces of lead whether it is shot or a ball. If the gun will handle 2 ounces of shot it’ll handle a 2oz ball using equivalent powder charges.
 
George Davison was a gunmaker from approximately 1807-1826. He suffered failing health in 1826 and died in 1827. He learned the gunmaking trade by apprenticing for his father, Thomas Davison. George had 5 sons, Thomas, George, Edward, Bilton and John, none of which are noted as participating in the gun trade. These sons were with wife Margaret. He has four additonal sons with Mary, his wife after Margaret died. Robert, William, Charles and Anderson - also none of which are noted to be in the gun trade. The gun shop was at 5 Marketplace in Alnwick. His wife ran the gun business for two years after he died, then sold the property. George's brother, William ran a gun shop in New Castle under the name Davison's Gunmakers and George was half-owner of the shop but tended to work out of the Alnwick location. Second wife Mary was reputed to be a gunsmith, although women did not apprentice or obtain licesure in those days. The Davison guns were marked with G. or Geo. usually for George and W. for William. The shop address would follow. The Davison's had several gun related patents, but did not have any Royal Warrants. They were considered high quality gunmakers for working class people and made their guns bespoke, one at a time.
A sole proprietor did not turn out that many guns annually, so one in good shape is a rarity.
 
George Davison was a gunmaker from approximately 1807-1826. He suffered failing health in 1826 and died in 1827. He learned the gunmaking trade by apprenticing for his father, Thomas Davison. George had 5 sons, Thomas, George, Edward, Bilton and John, none of which are noted as participating in the gun trade. These sons were with wife Margaret. He has four additonal sons with Mary, his wife after Margaret died. Robert, William, Charles and Anderson - also none of which are noted to be in the gun trade. The gun shop was at 5 Marketplace in Alnwick. His wife ran the gun business for two years after he died, then sold the property. George's brother, William ran a gun shop in New Castle under the name Davison's Gunmakers and George was half-owner of the shop but tended to work out of the Alnwick location. Second wife Mary was reputed to be a gunsmith, although women did not apprentice or obtain licesure in those days. The Davison guns were marked with G. or Geo. usually for George and W. for William. The shop address would follow. The Davison's had several gun related patents, but did not have any Royal Warrants. They were considered high quality gunmakers for working class people and made their guns bespoke, one at a time.
A sole proprietor did not turn out that many guns annually, so one in good shape is a rarity.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you!
 
I picked up the gun today, and am more than pleased with it. I’ve already had it apart for a good wipe down. It has had a stock repair under the breech area near the lock. It both looks and feels stable. Overall, I think it’s a beautiful gun, and I appreciate those who chimes in with information. I had been on the hunt for a gun that may represent the type of firearm my family would have brought over with them when they emigrated from England in the 1840’s, and I believe this gun fits that bill.

One question I have, and it’s all semantics. Would this gun be considered a shotgun, a sporting gun, or both?
 

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