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Unique Webster & Co. Double Barrel 16 Gauge Forsyth Style Primer Percussion Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Unique Webster & Co. Double Barrel 16 Gauge Forsyth Style Primer Percussion Shotgun
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Estimate: $4000 - 7000
Manufacturer: English Model: Side By Side
This shotgun is equipped with a pair of engraved roller primer gun mechanisms which are marked "WEBSTER & Co./PATENT." Invented by the Reverend Alexander Forsyth (1758-1843), roller primer gun mechanisms or scent bottle type percussion locks had a reservoir for mercury fulminate powder. Rotating the scent bottle deposited a small quantity of the fulminate on the touchhole which primed the gun. When the trigger was pulled the hammer struck the fulminate and the flame ignited the gunpowder in the barrel. The fine dolphin head hammers feature a floral engraving on the flat sides. The solid rib is marked "WEBSTER & Co PATENTEES. 122 REGENT St London" and has a single bead front sight. The lock plates are marked "WEBSTERS/IMPROVED PATENT" and feature a floral engraving at the rear. A hunting dog and pheasant game scene is engraved on the large trigger guard and there is an ornate trigger guard finial. The barrel tang is floral engraved and the breech plug has a pair of gold inlaid bands. The half stock has a checkered wrist, straight comb, blank silver initial oval behind the barrel tang, raised cheekpiece and single barrel wedge. The flat buttplate features an engraved forest scene on the tang. Length of pull is 14 inches.
BBL: 29 1/4 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 16
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition:
Fine as period refurbished. The barrels retain most of the brown Damascus with some very scattered minor handling marks. The action has a smooth gray patina with traces of case colors remaining in the protected areas of the lock plates. The trigger guard and buttplate have a mottled gray patina with some mild pitting. The stock is also fine with a number of minor handling marks. Overall the checkering is crisp. Mechanically excellent.