H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 By modern standards, one of the weirdest guns to come out of the Old West Era is probably one of the earliest repeating shotguns, the Burgess. It was indeed a "pump action shotgun," but, for reasons of patent circumvention, instead of the pump being the foregrip, the pump was in the pistol grip part of the gun. There was even a folding version that would be compact enough to fit in a large holster that could be concealed by a "trenchcoat" type garment. Although not legal for our game, it is a fascinating piece of tech from the Old West. I have one, not the folding version, and I recently took it to a gunsmith that specializes in old guns, restoring them, or get getting them functional again, to repair a minor issue in the lockup. It's now quite perfect. But what surprised me was when he remarked on how STRONG the action on this thing is. He was of the opinion that it could easily handle light target smokeless loads with no problem. With the proviso of shells of the proper length. (Mine has had the chamber lengthened to 2-3/4" and the forcing cone extended by a previous owner.) I was surprised at how strong he said it is. But, looking at it, the thing is indeed built like a tank. Very strong and rather beefy looking construction, and a lockup tighter than other old guns I have, and even some modern ones. I don't know that I'll ever use anything but Black in it, but it was interesting to hear this opinion from a gunsmith who make old stuff his specialty. Anyone else out there have a Burgess? If so, what are your impressions of the strength of the gun? Thinking about the folding one that was made to withstand the action being snapped closed upon drawing it from it's holster, I guess they'd have to be pretty well solidly built to begin with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 \ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 Okay... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 Feller in The Cowboys or Cajon Cowboys had one of those. Had to learn a whole new skill set to work it. Seems, too, that it took a shorter shell, maybe 2 1/2". 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 12 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Feller in The Cowboys or Cajon Cowboys had one of those. Had to learn a whole new skill set to work it. Seems, too, that it took a shorter shell, maybe 2 1/2". Given when they were made 2.5" shells are likely, just like a Winchester 1887. The gunsmith I bought it from did say he had lengthened the chamber and forcing cone to make it save for 2.75" shells. He also did say light smokeless was okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ustas B. Slim 24680 Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Why is it not legal for SASS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Because for decades the rule has been only Winchester 97s or its clones are legal. "The only slide action shotgun allowed is the Model 1897 Winchester shotgun, whether original or replica." Even if legal I would never shoot my Burgess in anything resembling competition as the pistol grip is made from gutta percha. It is kind of like stressing 150 year old bakelite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 The Burgess is indeed a much stronger action, than the Winchester 97... PO Ackley tested several, back many years ago... Jabez Cowboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 7 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: Because for decades the rule has been only Winchester 97s or its clones are legal. "The only slide action shotgun allowed is the Model 1897 Winchester shotgun, whether original or replica." That's why it's not legal. It is my understanding that it had something to do with Marlin declaring the Model 98 family unsafe to shoot. So, they came up with this rule, which took the Burgess, Spencer and Winchester 93 with it. It also prevented the Norinco 93/97, a modern replica of the 97 made to resemble a 93 from being approved for our game, because it's "not a 97." Others who have been here longer than I will be able to clarify any inaccuracies in my understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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