SxS hammergun parts question

[Shane in WI]

I have some pieces of shotguns from my great uncles collection that are quite old. The barrels, forarm, and parts of the receiver of one gun are together and the butt stock and receiver (missing one side plate and one hammer) are a unit. They are both rusty and in no way shootable, but with a little fitting of the internal metal, could be assembled as one almost complete gun for a wall hanger. My family have had them for 15 years after my uncle passed away. I assume he picked them up somewhere as parts or maybe they belonged to a relative? There isn't any specific value to me as they are, but have been wanting a double barrel shotgun to hang on the wall of my "hunting room". Would I be making a mistake by modifying them slitghly to assemble as one gun? What would be the best way to research any collectors value to the pieces I have before I alter them?

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Shane

[John Traveler]

Shane,

I'd start researching your old shotguns by checking over the barrels and receivers carefully for markings.  Brand names in particular can be useful.  I've found names like "Fulton", "Knickerbocker", "Hudson", "Lefever", etc on the internet and references to them on the various gun auction sites.  Compare your gun's features with pictures on the gun auction sites.  A little research will do wonders.  Of the many dozens of name brands found, most were made by either small companies that only lasted a few years, or by large manufacturers that built them for most any hardware store that bought them in quantity.  The odd-name double guns have little collector value, and are meaningful only to family members.  It won't hurt to swap around parts and restore them to display status.

Goodluck to you in your search!

[Shane in WI]

Thank you John, sort of what I was thinking.  I began to clean them up last night, but ran out of time.  All I found so far was proof marks under the barrel which I will look into further.

[gunnut69]

Be aware that LeFever is a well known brand and not a house brand. While not as collectable as Parkers or L.C.Smiths they are collected. Even damascus barrels won't destroy the value of a fine old shotgun. The best way to determine the value of a weapon is to take it to a reputable gun shop. They will usually give you a fair guess at the value if you explain your intentions. Even in poor conditions some old doubles can be worth quite a bit simply for parts, at least until they are altered..

[Shane in WI]

After cleaning, I looked at the guns a little better last night and found no brand on them.  There is serial numbers and some proof marks under the barrel.  According to my Blue book, they are Belguim proof marks.  I did check that it is a 12 gauge, both barrels choked the same.  The pistol grip is rounded like an A-5 and both stocks are walnut.  With neither gun complete or in very good condition, I doubt it would hurt anything to machine them to fit together.  I am still going to have someone look at them.

[gunnut69]

The Belgiun proofs mean it most likely a wall hanger for sure. there were almost no well respected weapons imported from belgium during the time frame these weapons were produced. Most were cheap knock offs or simply low priced guns. Have fun!

[Shane in WI]

Thanks for all the responces guys, I fit them together last night.  Wasn't to bad, but took alittle more than I thought at first.  All internal spots where the barrels pivit on the receiver.   Gun matches up pretty good and looks like a gun wall hanger which is what I wanted for my hunting room.