This is a Civil War era black powder double barrel shotgun that came into the shop from the local area. It was reported to have been found in an out building in the Shelbyville, Tennessee area. The overall length of this shotgun is just 29", having 13" barrels. The exterior of the barrels is an even black patina. The bores are dark and rusted, measuring out at 10 gauge. British barrel proofs are found on the bottom side of the barrels. The upper barrel rib does not have the usual fine twist engraving on it. The hammers, lockplates, trigger guard and butt plate all have the same dark patina as the barrels. The lockplates are stamped G. PEABODY. The actions both work well, with the hammers locking in half and full cock. The stock shows the same dark appearance as the rest of the gun. It's pretty obvious this one has been sitting up for a long time. The stock is cracked at the wrist. By the feel it is most likely broken in two. A field expedient repair was made at some time, using a piece of tin and a hand full of small square nails. The nose cap with integral ramrod thimble is missing. There is a crack running from the inlaid pineapple finial where the nose cap would be about six inches long. The front trigger guard screw will not stay tight, apparently stripped, allowing the front of the trigger guard to sit up from the inlay of the stock. A small brass medallion is inlaid in the bottom of the stock comb. On the left stock comb someone has etched what appears to be a saddle shield. Or at least it resembles a shield from a McClellan saddle. There is no documentation that this gun was used by Confederate Cavalry, but it sure isn't hard to imagine it. Forrest's boys were all over that area, and camps from his units are known to have been in that area. No great story to go along with it, so I'm just listing it for what it is, a Civil War era shotgun in relic condition. It even still has some bird droppings on the stock, just the way it came in!

Item # AA1217

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