Older SxS shotgun

[crabcreekhunter]

I inherited an older SxS shotgun and had been sitting in the safe for 10 years without much thought.  Any info on Joseph Butler from Chicago and SxS shotguns.  Older shotguns are not my thing so just looking for info.  Mechanically seems functional and all there, appears as a 12 gauge but not sure on chamber length etc.  any info is appreciated!

[CP]

AI says:

Historical Gunmaker Joseph Butler & Co.

There was a historical firm, Joseph Butler & Co., located at 179 E Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, active from approximately 1870-1880. This company was primarily known as re-barrellers and choke borers but also made some guns, often on W. & C. Scott Actions.

[hookr88]

Looks like that might be a Damascus barrel.

[wadu1]

Another source for information is Shotgun World another free site. Dismount the barrels take photos of the water table and the underside of the barrels. The water table is where the barrels match up with the receiver those areas have most of the historical information of the gun. 
https://www.shotgunworld.com/

[crabcreekhunter]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will pop the forend off and get some pictures of that.  They are Damascus barrels (another thing I don’t know anything about).  I’ll check out shotgun world, I was trying to figure out a good website for that.

[Twispriver]

@JDHasty seems to have a lot of knowledge about older guns and also knows where to look when he doesn't. Maybe he'll spot this and chime in.
Please post a pic or two of the whole gun

[JDHasty]

Get some good photos of it up and I’ll reach out. 

What I do know is that most of those old breach loading 12 gauge guns have 2 1/2 inch chambers.  What I have been able to find suggests that he moved from England to Chicago and has strong connections to the Birmingham firearms trade and Webley & Scott in particular. 

There is substantial crossover interest between single shot (falling block) enthusiasts and double guns.  It wouldn’t surprise me if someone can’t give quite a bit of info on it or respond with a web address of a site that people knowledgeable in them frequent. It appears to me as though this concern imported and/or worked on Purdy, Wesley Richards and other “Best” quality guns.  Photos of any markings are going to be helpful and photos of the action as well. 

[crabcreekhunter]

Got the gun broken down over the weekend and took pictures of all the marking I could find on it.  Will reach out on a couple other forums as well.

[crabcreekhunter]

Couple more

[teanawayslayer]

Know nothing about it, but what a cool shot gun

[crabcreekhunter]

Know nothing about it, but what a cool shot gun

It really is, ideally I’m hoping I can use it with some hand loads for upland of some sort or get some sort of value on it.  I shoot shotguns a lot but nothing this old. 

[wadu1]

Know nothing about it, but what a cool shot gun

It really is, ideally I’m hoping I can use it with some hand loads for upland of some sort or get some sort of value on it.  I shoot shotguns a lot but nothing this old.

I totally understand, I was shooting my 1924 L.C. Smith today 20ga with 2 1/2" chambers. I load my own for it, very low pressure. I do the same for my 1932 Parker light 1oz.

[ChesapeakeMan]

I would take it over to Kirby Hoyt at Vintage Doubles.  He is in Wenatchee.  I bet he can tell you all about that gun.  That is exactly the type of shotgun that he deals with.

[crabcreekhunter]

I would take it over to Kirby Hoyt at Vintage Doubles.  He is in Wenatchee.  I bet he can tell you all about that gun.  That is exactly the type of shotgun that he deals with.

I will definitely do that, I had never heard of Kirby Hoyt and vintage doubles and only about 10 minutes away!

[ChesapeakeMan]

It will be very interesting to see what he has to say.  I think he has a wealth of knowledge.  His website has some beautiful guns for sure.  I will make the stop there one of these days

[JDHasty]

Appears to me to be actual Damascus barrels.  Fluid steel barrels were made to look like Damascus back then.  Likely 2-1/2 inch chambers.  A 2-3/4 shell will chamber in it, DON'T shoot them.  I think shells are loaded in England and imported here by someone.  It looks to be to be a better grade gun.  I don't personally have friends who are into those shotguns, but am friends with guys who do have friends who are. 

[salish]

Know nothing about it, but what a cool shot gun

It really is, ideally I’m hoping I can use it with some hand loads for upland of some sort or get some sort of value on it.  I shoot shotguns a lot but nothing this old.

I totally understand, I was shooting my 1924 L.C. Smith today 20ga with 2 1/2" chambers. I load my own for it, very low pressure. I do the same for my 1932 Parker light 1oz.

I bought a little LC Smith 20ga with short chambers about a year ago. Mine was built in 1919. I've never shot it, but I bought four boxes of shells for it from RST. I'm hoping to get it out before the season ends. How is yours choked? If I stick with this particular shotgun I may have to start reloading for it.