W. K. Osman
11-25-2008, 09:36 PM
We picked up this piece at the local military show and will see if anyone on the forum has interest. As early as the 1950s these were referred to as the "forager model" and some dealers are still trying to prove that such a thing existed. In fact they are the product of Bannerman and other clever sporting goods dealers who converted surplus military arms into dirt cheap shotguns. As all you needed was about $3 for the gun and a few pennies for power and shot and you could get all the birds and rabbits you wanted for the table!
This one has a nice complete 1864 Springfield lock with mottled gray/brown finish and a crisp action. The barrel has been bored out to about 20 gauge and is 32 inches long. It has an age brown finish but no pitting to speak of. The breech retains the eagle VP proof, and the bolster also still has the eagle stamp visible.
Rear band appears to be from a M1842 musket. Ramrod pipe under the barrel is missing, but these were simply sweated on and are an easy replacement. Trigger guard and butt plate have been slightly modified from the original configuration.
The lock and rear band are the only real salvageable parts should you want to rebuild the musket, but we would actually recommend replacing that ramrod pipe and cleaning up the piece to use or display as a fun “forager shotgun.”
We will let this one go for $185, and will pay the postage ourselves. Please contact us by email, and NOT by PM.
Stephen Osman
foragecaps@earthlink.net
This one has a nice complete 1864 Springfield lock with mottled gray/brown finish and a crisp action. The barrel has been bored out to about 20 gauge and is 32 inches long. It has an age brown finish but no pitting to speak of. The breech retains the eagle VP proof, and the bolster also still has the eagle stamp visible.
Rear band appears to be from a M1842 musket. Ramrod pipe under the barrel is missing, but these were simply sweated on and are an easy replacement. Trigger guard and butt plate have been slightly modified from the original configuration.
The lock and rear band are the only real salvageable parts should you want to rebuild the musket, but we would actually recommend replacing that ramrod pipe and cleaning up the piece to use or display as a fun “forager shotgun.”
We will let this one go for $185, and will pay the postage ourselves. Please contact us by email, and NOT by PM.
Stephen Osman
foragecaps@earthlink.net