I saw an old falling block shotgun, in very good condition, except for a missing butt plate, for $75 at a gun show year ago.

I do not buy old shotguns, but I love falling block rifles. This looks allot like a falling block rifle, only larger bore.

It has a unique feature, an adjustable hammer spring.

I just read De Haas' book "A Potpourri of Single shot Rifles and Actions"
He writes about the 1891 falling block shotgun, "I am only slightly interested in shotguns, I do not collect them, but when I see one that has an action similar to one used on a rifle, then I am interested."

He is referring to the 1891 Davenport falling block rifle, that was in 22 and 25 rimfire and weighed 4.5 pounds.

What a great find!

It looks like an action you could have some fun with...maybe using it for one of the classic flanged rifle rounds.

I like the side plates of the action too...lots of room for engraving.

At $75 the gun-gods would have punished you if you didn't buy it.

I hope you'll show it to us again as you work on it.

Garrett

would that be a cool 25 Hornet or what? If I had it, it would be shortly.

Rich
DRSS

How about a 22 Savage Hi Power? or 25-20 Single Shot? 219 Zipper 256 Win mag?

I have patterned it.
It works as a shotgun, but not as well as an A5.

If the thrust of a 12 ga is [11,500 psi]pi[.729"/2]^2= 4,800 pounds.

In a .5" 45/70 case this would equate to 24,446 psi, not quite the 28,000 psi for SAAMI 45/70.

that's SAAMI maximum, and the case head thrust is proportional to case head diameter, not just absolute MAP figures. The Hornet would be THE safest CF out there, and a really fun gun. I'd have it magnafluxed to check for cracks and build me a nice tincan killin' machine.

Rich
DRSS

If it has the typical large shotgun firing pin, it will need bushing to a smaller size.

Keith

I have never bushed a firing pin.

I think my first will be a break action 10 ga.
I want to make inserts so I can put semi auto pistol barrels in side the shotgun and fire them over a chrono without hitting the chrono.

You can always just purchase an insert:

http://www.mcace.com/shotguninserts.htm

Davenport Arms Co of Rhode Island existed from 1880 to 1884. Their assets were purchased by the Bay State Arms Co of MA. and William Davenport was hired by them. William Davenport filed several patents while working for them. Unfortunately, many of their products were over priced. They ceased operations in 1887. Their assets were purchased by Hopkins and Allen. William Davenport left Hopkins and Allen in 1890. With some business partners, including his brother Walton, he formed the W. H. Davenport Firearms Co. In 1904 William died. The company ceased operations in 1909. Hopkins and Allen purchased their assets at that time. They also hired Walton Davenport.

In "Boy's Single Shot Rifles", Grant devotes a chapter to Bay State - Hopkins Allen - Davenport. In "American Boy's Rifles 1890-1945" Jim Perkins devotes a chapter to Davenport rifles.


Pete