Single barrel shotguns

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

For some unknown reason, I have recently become interested in single barrel shotguns.  Part of the reason may be that they seem to be rather inexpensive compared to other things, but also they just seem to be intriguing to me.

Now, yes, there are a lot of different things that fall into this category.   I have a Greener built on the Martini action, and a Remington Rolling Block, but what I am really starting to be curious about are the break open shotguns that work the same way as a side by side, but with only one barrel.   There are many vintage guns that fit this category out there, and they all seem to have unique variations on the concept.   Over the years there were everything from simple entry level guns to really fancy things, and everywhere in between.   And many of them can be had for really short money, but that does not mean that they were cheaply made.

So far I have obtained a Hopkins and Allen that I found on the "junk pile" at a local shop that I got for 50 bucks.   I bought it cuz it looked like it was all there.  I scrubbed off some light surface rust with Hoppes #9, and sure enough, the gun is fully functional.   

 

I shot a match with it, and had a lot of fun.

 

More recently I got a Webley Model 100 for $150

I have not fired this one yet, but I will do so soon.  It seems to be an "entry level" gun when compared to some of their more well known high grade stuff, but I like it.  Sadly the records for the Webley shotguns are "a mess" according to the folks who have them, so I was unable to letter it.

Now, yesterday, I found a Winchester 37 for $125 that I did not buy because I am temporarily short on funds, but I very well may be getting one of these in the near future.   Clearly a simple gun, but well made.  In fact the shop also had a Stevens, a Savage, and a Hopkins and Allen like mine, all for less than $150 each.   12 and 16 gauge,  so who knows what I'll get next?  

Anyway, I don't know what it is, but something about this type of gun is starting to appeal to me.   Time will tell if I get anything more, but these guns sure are interesting to look at.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I bought one years ago, can’t remember what it was. I paid $50.00, wound up selling it a few months later for $75.00.