Billings & Spencer Breechloading 16 Gauge Shotgun Roper Hartford RARE
Guns International #: 101458061 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Antique Shotguns - Cartridge - Shotguns - American Double Antique

Seller's Information
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Verified Seller
Seller: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Company: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Member Since: 1/27/12
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Schimetschek
State: Connecticut
Zip: 06423
Country: United States
Phone: (860) 873-1092
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 217
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Check (personal checks take 7-10 days to clear), money order, credit card (no fee), or wire

About Us: Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of pre-1899 antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We specialize in Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Parker, large-bore fowling guns, Revolutionary & Civil War arms, collectible Bowie & folding knives and more! We are also avid collectors of historic race cars & memorabilia. Visit us online at jeremiahjohnsontrading or find us on Facebook and Instagram.


Description:

Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We also specialize in antique cars & petroliana, Revolutionary and Civil War artifacts, 19th century nautical & western memorabilia, early Bowie and folding knives, American folk art, and colonial era furnishings. Visit us online at JeremiahJohnsonTrading or find us on Facebook. Our shop is located at 1618 Saybrook Rd. Haddam, CT. Look for the gold '55 Chevy road sign! ~Trades and offers are always considered~ Extremely Rare Billings & Spencer Co. Hartford, Connecticut, Single Shot Breechloading Shotgun, 16 Ga, mfg. ca. late 1870's. You won't find this one in your books! During the mid 1860's Christopher Spencer and Sylvester Roper teamed up to manufacture the Roper revolving shotgun which saw relatively limited sales and is regarded today as a very scarce and collectible firearm. Inventor and gunsmith Charles Billings, who had previously worked for Colt, went to work for Roper in 1867 and partnered with Spencer in 1869 to form the Billings & Spencer Company in Hartford. The company mainly focused on the manufacture and sales of tools however Billings decided to take the Roper gun and make his own single shot version utilizing his 1875 patent breechloading mechanism. The gun he made is essentially identical to a Roper from the breech forward and back, but with Billing's patent receiver in place of Roper's revolving design. It is unclear just how many were made but I would guess fewer than 100 total. This example features a 26 1/2" barrel fitted with a high bead front sight and Roper threaded muzzle choke. It is unmarked except for serial number "51" stamped internally. Overall the metal has a very dark plum patina with some very fine scattered pinprick surface pitting and traces of Nickel finish visible on the upper & lower tangs. The stock, which is identical to a Roper, retains much of it's original varnish and is in great condition with an attractive untouched look. Aside from an old 1" crack behind the forend cap on the left side there are no other cracks, chips, or repairs. Original steel buttplate and triggerguard with pewter forend cap. To work the action the hammer is brought to half cock and the breech opened up and back by way of the sliding lever on the right side which also retracts the firing pin so it doesn't hang up on the breech. Pulling the breech further back extracts the spent shell. A very interesting and ingenious design. The action is strong and crisp. The breech opens and closes securely like a vault with no play whatsoever. Original firing pin and extractor function properly. The bore is dirty from years of sitting but looks surprisingly good with a potentially shiny surface beneath and no apparent pits or rust. I think it will clean up very well. This will be a choice addition to any vintage shotgun collection and would be impressive to display alongside a Roper. Most collectors have never even heard of this gun. In all our years of dealing we have never had another and likely never will again! Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique firearms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique firearm" will hence include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique firearms. Antique firearms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique firearms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City or residents thereof. Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any handgun (antique or muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction) shipped to New Jersey must ship to a licensed FFL holder. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. No international sales of antique firearms which may fire conventional metallic cartridges or any reproductions regardless of ignition. Antique muzzleloaders, or antiques which fire obsolete cartridges, may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Absolutely no sales of items containing antique ivory to New York, New Jersey, or California. No sales of bear parts to Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, or West Virginia. Absolutely no international sales of knives or animal parts including items which contain antique ivory. Payment can be made by way of money order, banker's check, or personal check (Please allow 7-10 days for clearance on personal checks). Credit cards accepted for antique arms (no additional fees). If not satisfied with an item within 3 days of receiving it, simply return the item in the same condition as shipped for a full refund, minus return shipping costs. Cleaning, disassembly, or altering of a firearm in any way will void inspection privileges. Layaway may be allowed upon negotiation, but will void inspection privileges. Buyer pays actual shipping & insurance costs. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account however it will be noted that any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with our business. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All firearms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. Message or call with any questions about this firearm, or any of our other items at 860-873-1092 (office) or 860-345-2100 (shop).
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Billings & Spencer
Model: Breechloading Shotgun
Barrels: 26 1/2
Gauge Info: 16
Manufacture Date: Circa 1870's