Anyone into old French pin fire shotguns?

[DALTON]

I recently purchased a beautifully engraved antique French 16 ga pin fire SxS and it's missing a couple of parts. Anyone have any info or resource leads? I know there has to be an antique firearm Guru out there somewhere. I can email pic's if you pm me with your address. Thanks in advance. Dalton

 

[Jim Keenan]

I doubt that even the best guru could tell you where to find parts for an antique French shotgun even if he knew the name of the maker. As always, some parts can be made, especially if there is something to copy from, like the other lock.

Jim

 

[boule]

Anyone have any info or resource leads?

Well, I can show you how to reload for them if you manage to find some fitting brass or you can go through this tutorial reloading pinfire shotgun shells first.

First step - make sure what parts are missing and find out if you have a working one on the other lock. Then remake it or have it remade.
Nonetheless, before you manage to spend a fortune restoring this firearm, try to figure out what kind of barrel your shotgun has. Usually, those old ones used damascus barrels that would not take very kindly to aging and being fired with any stronger charge.