W.&C. Scott & Son Sidelock Hammer Double 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1868 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1225
LSB#: 210611TP34
Make: W & C Scott & Son
Model: Hammer Sidelock Double Gun
Serial Number: 1436
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1868 (doublegunshop.com)
Caliber/Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 1/2″, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Top Lever Sidelock Side By Side External Hammer Dual Trigger With Extractor
Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “W & C. SCOTT & SON. PATENTEES. DORSET PLACE PALL MALL LONDON. FINE DAMASCUS”, the bottom of each barrel is marked “1436”, the barrel flats have British proof marks. Each sideplate is marked “W. & C. SCOTT / & SON. Each lug of the water table has a crowned “V” proof, “SCOTT’S PATENT ACTION” and “1436”. The bottom tang is marked “No 1436″. The receiver, sideplates, guard, hammers, lever and the exposed portion of the forend iron have decorative scroll and border engraving with fowl scenes on the sideplates and a hunting dog scene on the trigger guard.
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Both barrels are Cylinder Bore, fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver colored bead at the muzzle on top of the solid, concave rib.
Weight: 8 lb., 6.7 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with splinter forend secured with a captured wedge, round-bottom half-pistol grip, brass thumb plate in the wrist, straight comb and checkered horn buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, the most notable are toward the rear of the buttstock. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear and some scattered worm-holes. Drop at comb is 1 5/8″, drop at heel is 2 5/8″. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Damascus barrels and case-color receiver.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. The left bore has infrequent minor erosion. The right bore has a few spots of more notable erosion toward the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The barrels have generally strong damascus patterning with some handling wear above the forend, some spots of surface oxidation and a few nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver’s case color has mostly muted with color remaining inside on the water table, on the lockplates around the hammers and on the trigger plate around the triggers. The guard has mostly worn to white. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels have no play to the receiver. The right hammer must be at half-cock to give clearance for the lever. We have not fired this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a W. & C. Scott & Son hammer sidelock shotgun produced circa 1868. W. & C. Scott, later & Son, even later & Sons, was one of the premier Birmingham gunmakers as well as a prolific patentee which developed many designs which would stay with us to this day. This example is one of their guns from the 19th century. The shotgun is in Fine condition with about 75% remaining finish, light wear in the stocks consistent with responsible use in the field over the last century, and bores nicer than they have any right to be after more than 130 years of use with black powder! For those who collect antique or European shotguns, a W. & C. Scott is a must-have and this would make an excellent addition to such a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!