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We have an 1861 (date on rifle is August 16, 1861) Forehand Wadsworth rifle. We would like know what is it wort?
Already Tried: Just looking on the Internet for any information.
Hi, I would be glad to help you any way that I can by answering your question to the best of my ability.Is this a lever operated falling block type action?What caliber is it chambered for?Does it have a round or octagon barrel and how long?Thank you,Bill
Question 1Here is more info. Not sure but you can cock it back and it clicks then you fire it and it hits a round cylinder
Thank you for that. Sounds like a rolling block action.Almost there... What caliber is it?How long is the barrel and is it an octagon barrel?Thanks,Bill
Don''t the caliberThe barel is 30 inches long, the barrel is round and the opening is about 3/4 in. Hope this helps.
Hi, Thank you for all the info. That really helped. This sounds more like a shotgun than a rifle. And the way you described it, it is a single barrel side hammer shotgun. The bore is probably a 10 or a 12 gauge. Forehand & Wadsworth (1871-1890) was formed out of the the last of Ethan Allen companies when he died. Forehand and Wadsworth were his son-in-laws. Wadsworth retired in about 1890 and the company was re-named Forehand Arms Co. About 1899/1900 Forehand passed away and the company was sold to Hopkins & Allen.After Wadsworth's retirement, Forehand continued to sell guns marked with the F&W name and this was the case also when H&A took over. The Aug. 16, 1881 patent date is for patent 245620 which is actually for a side hammer single barrel shotgun (it was issued to S. Forehand). due to the fact that there is no indication that Forehand & Wadsworth, Forehand Arms Co. or Hopkins & Allen ever made the switch to smokeless powder it would be best not to fire this shotgun with modern ammo. GOOSE GUNS - outside hammer, 8, 10, or 12 ga., were offered with barrels up to 40 inches long.Here are the current Blue Book values for your gun:Exc.: $250, Vgood: $200, Good: $170
Experience: 40 yr. machining and gunsmithing with schooling in both.
Thanks so much! We really appreciate it.
You're welcome. I had fun...Thank you,Bill
Thank you for the excellent rating. If you wanted to shoot it, I would take it to a gunsmith and let him look at it to make sure it will hold up to modern ammo. Most likely it would be ok, but better safe than sorry...He can also measure the bore and look at the chamber, and tell you what it is chambered for and what choke it is patterned for. Probably a full choke.Thanks again,Bill
Thanks again for your excellent service.
You are welcome...my pleasure.Thank you,Bill