Thinking about buying this

[maudite]

An over under  36/40 cal mule ear made by email grice

[Tanselman]

It looks like a typical New York superposed rifle/shotgun in excellent condition. The single brass trigger, deer in cheekpiece, checkered wrist, and long rear ramrod catcher tubes are all strong New York details. Nice looking gun, and those "side slapper" locks always add a little interest to the piece.

Shelby Gallien

[Steve Collward]

Nice looking over/under.  The hammers do appear to be marked "W.M. GRICE".  Seller's "American Gunsmiths" list a William M. Grice in Lexington, Michigan. 

[Tim Crosby]

 That's a first for me. Is there a selector for the hammers or does it depend on which one is cocked? I would think that would have been upper-end in its day.

   Tim C.

[Steve Collward]

Tim,
  Just depends which hammer is cocked.

[mr. no gold]

Funny!!! Side hammers, Si! Under hammers, no! So it is a great gun; why have you not already purchased it? Condition is just unparalleled and would be a fine addition to any collection. In any case, thank you letting us have a look at it. And, I would rather have a Michigan made rifle than NY, but this is just my odd perspective.
Dick

[Hudnut]

Apparently it is not a combination gun - it is a double rifle.
For sale in Canada @C$2000 - about US$1600.
Cock both hammers, first pull fires one barrel, pull again, second barrel fires.  Otherwise whichever hammer is cocked is fired.

[OLUT]

The listing in "Michigan Gunsmiths" for William M Grice indicates that he lived in Lexington, Michigan, but was born in England around 1842..... his wife Jane was born in Canada. As a collector of percussion over under guns, I have never seen a mule ear type in such pristine condition; typically these hunting guns were well used. The parts were all commercially purchased, but the assembly and stock work are a delight to see. Thanks for posting this quality example

[LynnC]

A fine mule ear over/under for sure. Nice find!

I tend to agree with Mr No Gold……There doesn't seem to be a home for underhammer guns anywhere on the net. Sad…..

Please forgive me if I have violated a rule.

[maudite]

Only reason I m still debating buying it is I shoot from the left shoulder do to my left eye being dominate and am not sure if I could do so with this style of lock.I shoot left handed with other percussion guns and flintlocks but have never shot a side hammer

[OLUT]

Only reason I m still debating buying it is I shoot from the left shoulder do to my left eye being dominate and am not sure if I could do so with this style of lock.I shoot left handed with other percussion guns and flintlocks but have never shot a side hammer

I just tried dry firing one of my mule ear over under guns left handed. Henry Eldredge made both left hand and right hand mule ear guns. Trying to fire the "right hand lock" type on my left upper arm was VERY frustrating, but the "left hand lock" gun worked well from my left side. Grice made a beautiful gun, but I think it there would be better choices for your hunting.

[Daniel Coats]

Looks like a cool gun whether do you decide to shoot it or not! If you can afford it and want it buy it enough said

[Seth Isaacson]

It seems like Michigan and Wisconsin along with New York produced more over/under combination guns than just about anywhere else for some reason. Neat gun.

[OLUT]

It seems like Michigan and Wisconsin along with New York produced more over/under combination guns than just about anywhere else for some reason. Neat gun.

Seth, add Pennsylvania to your list, probably second in over/under gun production to New York ..... Jacob Harder from Lock Haven, Pa probably produced more of them than the entire state of Wisconsin ( As part of my collecting focus on percussion over under guns, I've indexed over 120 of Harder's guns in a variety of configurations, with about 2/3rds of them being two barreled fixed breech over under types). As you already know, many of the mid-west gunmakers migrated from New York State.

[oldtravler61]

  First great looking gun. Second as to the left eye dominate shooting right handed is no big deal. Before my pacemaker surgery I shot right or left handed.  Never has made a difference to me. So I doubt you will have any problems.

[OLUT]

Shooting a mule ear from the "wrong" side is really not a good idea. The nipples are too close to your eyes ( potential cap fragments, etc) and cocking the hammers is quite awkward. Again, it's personal choice, but I would personally find a more suitable hunting gun than this design of mule ear gun. If he can shoot right handed, it should be no problem

[maudite]

Ya I ve decided to pass on it,though it is a nice piece that will someone happy to own