One can immediately discern that this fine double-barrel shot gun was modified for Confederate military use. The bore sizes are .80 caliber or Full Gauge and will readily accept both military .69 buck and ball or .69 caliber slug. The 28 1/2-inch Damascus barrels on this English imported weapon show about 65 % original twist. Stamped on the rib between them is "B. G. HAPPOLDT" This is one of the famous Charleston South Carolina gunmakers.

B.G. HAPPOLDT was the son of famous Charleston gunsmith John M. Happoldt (1802-1881). Benjamin George Happoldt (1828-1887) is listed in Charleston city directories for only 3 years as a gunsmith, 1849-1852; accordingly, we can be certain this is an Anti-bellum made arm. In 1861 he enlisted in the Sixteenth South Carolina Infantry (Greenville Regiment) Sixteenth Regiment, Militia. But within months he was transferred to the State Gun Works at Greenville where his expert services were required.

The barrels have been fitted with musket nipples and these appear to have been in the weapon since the Civil War. Brazed onto the single ramrod pipe is an adaptor for a sling and in the butt stock a screwed-in adaptor for the same. Most intriguing is the serial number "82" which is stamped in the iron butt plate; this almost certainly is a Confederate Ordinance inventory number. The 2 back action locks and double triggers work perfectly. The condition of the walnut stock is excellent, and the original ramrod is in place.

The Confederate shotgun was found in the Shenandoah Valley a little over a year ago. It had hung in a mercantile establishment there for decades.  [pe] [ph:L]

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