This is a 20 gauge shotgun manufactured by the firm of Lane & Read of Boston, Massachusetts. Lane and Read was located in Boston from 1826 through approximately 1840. Around 1835 this firm was contracted to manufacture weapons for the Massachusetts State Militia. There weapons were pattern after the British musket of the time, the Brown Bess. This weapon has an overall length of 51 3/4" and a barrel length of 36 1/2". The barrel is octagonal to round and has a dark and rusted bore. The exterior of the barrel, along with all the iron hardware, has untouched patina. The surface is lightly pitted near the bolster area. There are no stamps or any markings on the exterior of the barrel. A simple brass blade serves as the front sight. The breech area of the barrel, tang, hammer lockplate, butt plate tang and trigger guard all have simple engravings. The lockplate is also stamped LANE & READ/BOSTON. The mechanics of the lock work perfectly, the locking in both half and full cock. The walnut half stock is in very good condition. There are no cracks or wood loss anywhere on the stock. The edges are crisp and overall there are only a couple of small dings over the entire stock. The ramrod thimbles, escutcheon plates, trigger guard and butt plate are brass. They all have a mellow golden patina. The wooden ramrod is present. Overall this is a very nice example of an early percussion single barrel shotgun from the mid 1800's.

Item # AA1156