I do not believe this shotgun was made by Benjamin or son Charles Mills of Kentucky. The percussion nipple mounting is not correct for a Mills shotgun: both men used a more elaborate percussion "snail" shaped nipple mount. Architecture through the wrist is not in the KY Mills style, nor is the engraved lock and mounts...Mills made his earlier locks, and even later he almost always used high quality, plain locks with his name, "B. Mills," engraved or stamped on them. He engraved some pistol frames and locks, but almost never on rifles or shotguns...except for a couple of early examples of his work. The butt plate also is not correct for a Mills gun. This shotgun does not display Mills" consistently high quality workmanship nor design details. It appears to be an import gun, and if the "Mills" was added after arriving in the United States, I don't believe it was added by Benjamin or Charles Mills...but rather some other Mills hardware dealer or possibly gunsmith. The KY Mills almost always used a first initial, and often added the town they were working in, either on the lock plate or the barrel or rib. Shelby Gallien
