Wesson SXS exposed hammer

[xsexcess]

Gents,

I was having a conversation with a young (to me) man doing some work for me a couple of days ago. He mentioned his father has a Wesson side by side shotgun with exposed hammers. A little sniffing on the net found an article by Roy Jinks that indicates just over 200 of these were produced in the late 1860s. I'd like to print out a photo to show to the young man to see if he recognizes the shotgun.

I'm not a the point of being able to make a discrete offer, have no idea what kind of condition etc.

Does anyone have a decent photo of one of these first 'Wesson' shotguns?

Thanks in advance.

 

[2152hq]

'D.B. Wesson' shotgun in James Julias Auction in October and went for $8000.
I think the rib is marked just 'Wesson Firearms Co Springfield, Mass'
Opens by pushing the barrel latch up and forward. I've only ever seen one that I can recall.

James D. Julia Images

 

[xsexcess]

photos perfect

Thanks. The family is on the flaky side, so hard to tell if this is a story...the pieces are so rare it's hard to imagine being made up (neither party has the internet).

 

[2152hq]

Anything is possible,,great collectables have appeared from otherwise unknown locations and family accumulations.

It's also a possibility that the gun could be an early 20th century, or late 1800's Belgian product. Tons of SxS hammer (and hammerless) shotguns were produced there for export and sold in the USA,,most being utility grade guns of not alot of value on todays market.
They used to get inventive with some of the trade names and use variations or sometimes straight copys of famous firearms companys names. All to boost market appeal to the class of buyers these were targeted for. Names like 'Saml Holt' & 'Parker' (leaving off the 'Bros.'portion of the famous company name) are a couple that come to mind.
But if you get a chance to look at the shotgun, you'll know right away what it is. The DB Wesson has such a very distinct look to it,,the frame contours and the barrel latch system.
The Belgian products are all conventional top lever guns for the most part with a few under lever actions thrown in.

Good Luck in your hunt and let us know what you come up with.