AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: bob hertrich on March 06, 2021, 10:01:49 PM

Title: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 06, 2021, 10:01:49 PM: I recently purchased a vintage shotgun with a back action percussion Goulcher lock. It has a .66 diameter bore. The barrel is 33.75" long. Length of pull is 14" but has about .75" cast on. Any information about this gun would be appreciated.
(https://i.ibb.co/FsqwcmF/goulcherfull-view.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cbXFRkj)

(https://i.ibb.co/3cdyWyZ/goulcher1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L1Rz6z7)

(https://i.ibb.co/yySkPp8/goulcher2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FwVY3XB)

(https://i.ibb.co/frsdS0Q/goulcher3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0YxyXJQ)

(https://i.ibb.co/3N7C48C/goulcher4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VStqJhq)

(https://i.ibb.co/b1ZDt6D/goulcher5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G7LNmdN)

(https://i.ibb.co/wdd9STr/goulcher6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nwwH7T8)

(https://i.ibb.co/pj89dcm/goulcher7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jj4MHVh)

(https://i.ibb.co/kKgmM8x/goulcher8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K6jKmqX)

(https://i.ibb.co/3sNB8x3/goulcher9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KGqFQtP)
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 08, 2021, 05:57:23 PM: Would there be another site that I could try to see if I could some info on this gun/
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: rich pierce on March 08, 2021, 06:09:52 PM: So many of these were made. Seems like every rural household in the mid to late 1800s had a single barrel or double barrel shotgun. The back action locks seem to mostly run in the 1840s forward.

“Bandwagoning” seems to have been very common in the1800s. Even a name on a lock is not reliable in telling us who made it where. If there was a gunmaker in London for example you can bet sure Birmingham makers were selling “copies” and so were the Belgians. Your best bet is to inspect the barrels for proof and makers marks, take the best photos you can, and show them here. Though you may learn more regarding where the barrels were made and proofed, in the end you have a very common mid 19th century single barrel shotgun.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: smart dog on March 08, 2021, 06:34:52 PM: Hi,
The 15 gauge barrel was made or at least proofed in Birmingham, England. While we think of J. Golcher of Philadelphia, there were 2 Joseph Golchers that worked just outside Birmingham during the 19th century. At first glance, the stock does not look like walnut but I cannot really tell given from the photos.

dave
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 08, 2021, 08:31:36 PM: Rich, There is a picture of the barrel marking in the post.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: Daryl on March 08, 2021, 09:28:13 PM: I find the 15 quite interesting, as that should be the bore size, not .66". Choked?
16 is .662" while 15 is .677".
The hammer seems overly robust to me.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: Mike Brooks on March 09, 2021, 11:22:31 PM: Low grade english export gun. 15 bore isn't uncommon. The stock appears to be beech. Probably at least a bazillion of these exported to the US.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 10, 2021, 06:41:39 PM: I paid a $150 for the gun. I found it interesting. Its missing a couple of ramrod pipes. Going to buy a couple of them, antique them and epoxy them on. Then hang it on the wall.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 10, 2021, 09:43:41 PM: Mike, about what time frame would that be/
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: Mike Brooks on March 11, 2021, 12:28:57 AM: Quote from: bob hertrich on March 10, 2021, 09:43:41 PM
Mike, about what time frame would that be/
1840-1870, hard to say.
Title: Re: Goulcher shotgun
Post by: bob hertrich on March 11, 2021, 02:39:26 AM: OK guys, thanks for getting back to me.