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Gun Question - Which One?

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ryanH

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
one of my buddies is going to Ukraine on a business trip for a month and I am mowing his lawn while he is gone. He said that he could either pay me or give me one of his antique guns. He gave me a choice of:

1. A 1940s 303 British Express rifle bolt action w/ the original sling and clip

2. A 1892 Manhattan Arms SxS 12 ga. double trigger. (It cocks using hammers)

3. A Marlin "Original Goose Gun" bolt action 12 ga. w/ original 3 shell clip

all of the guns appeared to be in good condition. Which one has the most value?
 
#2 ·
Beats me on value, but I'd take #2 based on antique looking coolness! [hihi]
 
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#3 ·
Ryan how do you feel?? How are you feeling?? keep us up to day in your recovery. That is a tricky question that you should keep to yourself. Nobody can just give you a gun in the Republic of NJ. Maybe you should refrace your question as to the legality.

The 303 is one heck of a rifle use to own one myself the. British 303 Enfield Bush something or other. It was the short version for jungle fighting.
 
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#4 ·
I'm not sure about the Manhattan double as it isn't listed in the current Blue Book under that name. Is there some other name or manufacturer on the barrel or receiver?
Does it have damascus barrels? What is the chamber length on the barrels.
Not enough info on that one but it may be interesting to have.

With that said, unless #2 comes out to be something special, I would consider the British Enfield the top pick of those 3.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Nobody can just give you a gun in the Republic of NJ. Maybe you should refrace your question as to the legality.
Click to expand...
It will technically be my dads gun until next year when I can get my own fid. He said he picked up the transfer papers(or whatever you call them)already. It will be legal...
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I'm not sure about the Manhattan double as it isn't listed in the current Blue Book under that name. Is there some other name or manufacturer on the barrel or receiver?
Does it have damascus barrels? What is the chamber length on the barrels.
Not enough info on that one but it may be interesting to have.
Click to expand...
The barrel said something like "pollished damascus barrel turkish" or something like that.
 
#7 ·
pollished damascus barrel turkish
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I love antique shotguns almost as much... or maybe even more than modern shotguns. Personally I'd take the damascus barrel SxS [up]. Manhattan Arms only manufactured pistols (mainly Colt copies after Colt's pattent expired) and never manufactured their own shotguns. However, they imported shotguns to sell under the name Manhattan Arms and they sold several different grades by several different manufacturers. It's possible that the SxS in question was made in Belgium by Neumann Freres [up], Pieper [up] or F Dumoulin [up]... or in Germany by JP Sauer & Son [up]. I think there were a couple of other suppliers to Manhattan Arms (Baker, Hunter Arms, Crescent and Harrington & Richardson maybe [confused]), but I'm not 100% certain. There is probably a symbol or some initials etched somewhere on the stock, barrel or receiver. You may want to look real close to see if you can find the actual manufacturer. Patent # may also help you identify the true manufacturer.

BE CAREFUL though if you get the damascus barrel shotgun. Why... because you can't fire modern shotgun shells thru it. It was originally designed for blackpowder loads and may not hold up to the pressure of modern shotshells. Barrel can actually explode. However, you can purchase subguage tubes that can be inserted into the action and will allow you to safely shoot modern 28 ga or 410 shotshells. If you don't want to load blackpowder shotshells or use subguage tubes, I've also heard of factory made Pyrodex loads being used in damascus barrels. I've been trying to get some for my father to use with his old damascus barrel Parker, but I haven't been able to get my hands on any.

Whatever you choose I would strongly recommend that you take the firearm to a reputable gunsmith who can give it a good look over and confirm that the peice will be safe to shoot.
 
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#9 ·
Ryan,

"Manhattan Arms" is a trade name that was used by Schoverling Daly and Gales for a number of different firearms that they imported. You may be more familiar with one of their other more well known trade names..."Charles Daly".

I currently own a "Charles Daly" model 105 "Three Barrel Gun", more commonly known as a "Drilling".

Please be aware that you should not shoot these guns without having them checked out by a competent gunsmith before shooting them.

If you are interested in learning more about the guns let me know. Alternately, should you decide you would prefer cash for your work, depending on the condition of the gun I would probably be interested in buying it at a reasonable price should you decide to go that route.

In any case...out of three choices you presented I would choose the Manhattan gun first assuming it is in decent shape. Should you go that route...please be sure to send some pictures my way at herrmannj1@comcast.net if it is not too much trouble..

JC
 
#15 ·
A 1892 Manhattan Arms SxS 12 ga. double trigger. (It cocks using hammers
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I would take this one as a wall hanger, use only black powder in the damascus. I chose this one because the others are not worth as much. THe goos gun would be cool if you need one. THe enfield is not worth any thing value wise.
 
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