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Market Hunter's Double Percussion Shotgun 1850-90

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 2,600.00 USD
Market Hunter's Double Percussion Shotgun 1850-90
Offered for sale is a Very Rare Market Hunter's Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun. Market hunting was outlawed in the early part of the 20th Century, but until then many hunters shot vast quantities of water fowl to sell at market. Often the market hunter would sneak up on a resting flock of ducks or geese and fire upon them with similar shotguns to his one using very large powder and shot loads. In this fashion great numbers of birds were often killed with each shot. Most Market Guns were long and heavy to absorb the punishing recoil generated by the loads fired in them as well as to reach out great distances to kill game. This example is remarkable in that it has solid, uncracked wood in the stock, wrist and forearm areas. Because of the weight of these guns, they often cracked through hard use or if dropped. Nearly all Market Guns that have survived to the present show heavy use and often abuse. It is almost a universal fact that the stocks will be found in poor and cracked condition. This one shows heavy use, but remains in tight, original condition with regard to wood and metal. Iron mountings are all simply scroll engraved including the trigger guard, lock plates, hammers, butt plate tangs etc. Has the original very heavy iron butt plate, hooked breech barrels secured by two cross keys, original ramrod, checkered wrist of the stock is very worn which attests to the amount of use this historic arm was subjected to, Has matching hammers and all metal parts retain a wonderful aged dark patina and shows no sign of cleaning or scouring. Unmarked, as most of this type are, it is of American design and style inside and out. This particular Market Gun came out of Dillon, Montana. Very few Market Guns have survived to the present time and they are a rarity on the collector scene today. This is an excellent, uncleaned example that is in condition worthy of the finest firearms or fur trade collection. This ten gauge behemoth has 42 inch barrels, an overall length of 59 inches and weighs over 14 pounds! This is a antique firearm. NO FFL transfer or NICS background check required