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LOT 119
Extremely Scarce Daniel B. Wesson Presentation Gustave Young Shop Engraved Wesson
Fire Arms Co. Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 131, 12 gauge, 29 3/4 inch round bbl.,
brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rare example of 19th
century ingenuity and artistry is one of
only about 200 high quality shotguns
manufactured based on Smith & Wesson
co-founder Daniel B. Wesson’s Dec. 17, 1867
issued patent and is even rarer as it was
presented by D.B. Wesson. D.B. Wesson’s
patent for this shotgun was assigned to
the Wesson Fire Arms Co. of Springfield,
Massachusetts. It is a matter of debate as to
why Wesson Fire Arms Co. was necessary as it
had the same principals as Smith & Wesson.
In fact, it is believed that the shotguns were
manufactured at the S&W factory and finished
nearby. According to “Flayderman’s Guide to
Antique American Firearms,” only around 219
shotguns were produced from 1868 to 1870.
These “quite rare specimens of D.B. Wesson
inventiveness” sold for several times more
than their competitors. Cost was between
$175 and $225 per unit. D.B. Wesson, a
devoted fowler himself, wanted his shotgun
to be a prestigious weapon comparable to
the high end doubles produced in England.
One reason for the high cost was the exact
fit required for the action. The action was cut
away on the sides so checkered wood pieces
could be inserted, thus lessening the weight
of the piece. The buttplate is another weight
saving device. The metal center was cut away and only the “skeleton” inlaid around
the edge of the butt, leaving the exposed wood checkered. The action was somewhat different
from those used by other period makers. The rear of the lever was lifted, removing a wedge
from the rib extension on the barrel. This was similar to the system used by Remington on their
first model shotguns seven years later. The engraving on these shotguns has been identified to
renowned Master Engraver Gustave Young and his shop. Young’s masterful near full coverage
scrollwork is featured on the frame, hammers, barrel lever, tangs, trigger guard, forearm hardware
including the wedge and wedge escutcheon, and buttplate. Serial number “131” is engraved on
the trigger guard tang among the scrollwork. The concave solid rib is signed “WESSON FIRE ARMS
Co SPRINGFIELD MASS.” The brown Damascus barrels have a single bead front sight. The two-line
patent dates marking is stamped on the water table. The frame, hammers, and forearm hardware
are casehardened, and the barrel release, trigger guard, and buttplate are blued. The highly
figured walnut forearm and straight grip stock feature multi-point checkering.
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