Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders SxS Shotgun

Recently purchased another Ballard rifle for my collection, and the seller asked if I was interested in the SxS 14ga. ML shotgun he was also selling. I wasn't at first, but after looking it over I got very interested quickly!
It's not a modern reproduction, but an original and built here in the US in the 1860's. Upon close inspection I noticed the stocks are high grade, and all the metal parts are border engraved! The barrels have Birmingham proof marks from the 1860's, and they are Damascus with excellent bores and are 32.5" long. The shotgun is all original, including the original ramrod under the barrels. The lock plates are marked, "C. GOVE" and the top rib is marked "C GOVE DENVER, COL."
Carlos Gove was the largest gun dealer West of the Mississippi, and built firearms in Denver, Co. from 1860-1889. He spanned the era from percussion arms to BP cartridge arms, and was a major dealer for Sharps rifles. At one time in 1880 he made a purchase from Sharps of 270 Sharps rifles when Sharps was financially in trouble, and offered Gove a 50% discount on the volume order!
I decided to buy the shotgun based mostly on the Carlos Gove connection, but also because it's just such a nicely built shotgun.

Another elegant gun you found, Vall! Any plans to shoot it?

Love the old doubles & a 14ga. Nice

Nice find!

"Goose Buster" right there! I have its mate in 11g. Grouse just fall over when they see those snake eyes looking at them!