[Nightshadow]

Hello there,

I somehow came across an old rifle / shotgun and I have no clue as to what its worth if anything, Im debating putting up for auction on EBay, but dont want to waste any time if its not worth anything. Then I came across your site and see that some of these are worth something......

I hope you can help me here. Much appreciated.

The rifle looks more like a double-barrel shotgun from the old western movies. On one side, it appears to say "F Dumoulin 8 Co" right above the double trigger, next to where the hammer would go. On the exact same opposite side, it says "Model 1905". Under the trigger where you would place your hand, I dont know what the part is called...... there is a gold six point star embedded into the wood. Its made of some type of metal.
Its a double-barrel, double hammer gun. Its gotta be at least 3 feet in length. The hammers are missing.

Well, I hope this helps. If you need pictures or anything else, please email me immediately as I will be moving out of my place at the end of June and need to know whether to just throw it out or not.

Also, if it is worth something, what would be the proper way to clean the wood and the barrel and all that? The barrel seems to be of a darker metal, while the engraving part on the handle is a silver type metal.

Many thanks in advance! Please email me if you need to as well.

[email protected]

 

[All Hat No Horse]

First of all, eBay won't accept listings for firearms although I have seen a few sneak in. Any gun made after 1898 (and I would assume that a Model 1905 probably was) must be transfered between lisenced dealers in interstate transactions.

Dumoulin was active in several Liege, Belgium, gunmaking firms. The company still exists as Dumoulin Herstal. The name "F. Dumoulin & Co.", was used c. 1900. They mainly produced trade-name guns, that is, if you would pay for the roll stamp and order a dozen guns, they would mark them with your trademark instead of their own name. These were never anything fancy, just an inexpensive gun that worked as designed. Those that actually carried the Dumoulin name would probably be a bit higher quality, but still utilitarian.

As far as its value, not a lot, especially missing the hammers. Few serious collectors want one and they would be looking for a very well preserved example. Shooters don't trust century-old guns. The main demand is from decorators who want something to go over the mantle, and I think they would like to have the hammers, too. Value is determined by scarcity (it's not scarce), demand (very little), and condition (missing parts isn't good). If I had it for sale, I'd price it at $100, be happy to get $75, and probably take $50.

Cleaning, as with most antiques - less is best. Gun oil and brass wool will remove any active rust from the metal parts. Murphy's Oil Soap and a soft cloth for the wood. Don't try to clean the inside parts if you don't know what you're doing.

I wouldn't like to see you throw it out, but it's really not worth too much trouble. I would check with local antique dealers to see if they would be willing to sell it on commission or buy it outright. If you don't want to keep it and can't find anyone locally who wants it, I'll give you my FFL dealer's address, pay his transfer fee, reimburse your shipping charges, and wonder if I got a bargain or paid too much.

 

[Nightshadow]

Is there any way to restore it? Buy replacement hammers and such so that I can at least have it complete?

Many thanks.

 

[All Hat No Horse]

It should be relatively easy to replace the hammers, but may be very difficult to locate a pair that fit. You might ask Numrich Gun Parts ( a google search should find their web site ), but I wouldn't bet on finding any there. A local gunsmith may be able to help. Best bet would be to take the gun to a large gunshow and look through bins of miscellaneous parts.

 

[Nightshadow]

Wonderful, thanks for your responses! I will figure out what Im going to do with this old thing. If I end up deciding to throw it out or whatever, I will definitely let you know so that at least someone who cares about it can have it.

 

[All Hat No Horse]

You didn't say how you got it, but if it was a family thing, check with your cousins and see if any would appreciate having "grandpa's gun". Then we'll be expecting another question about Domoulin from its new conservator.

 

[Nightshadow]

Haha, no...... an uncle of mine bought it years ago at a garage sale. (I just called him and asked him how he came across it).

Eventually he was fooling and trying to clean it, and took the hammers off so that he could clean around them. Never put the hammers back on and ended up losing them. Then he moved out of the country and left it with another relative. When he moved, I was helping out and he was about to throw it out. I said Id keep it, cause it looks nice. To have as a decorative piece. Didnt honestly think it would be worth anything. Now, Im moving and cant really hold on to it.

Then the lightbulb finally lit up over my head and I thought there might be some value to it. Some other website appears to have some other Demoulin rifles and shotguns that for nice sums of money.....however, they dont list the one I have. Now that you tell me Ebay wont allow me to auction it off, it looks like I will either give it away to a friend, if someone wants it, or ship it off to you, where hopefully, it will make a nice collectors piece.

Cheers.

 

[Nightshadow]

By the way, would it have been worth much more if the hammers were still in place?

 

[Nightshadow]

Also, geez, Im full of questions.

What does the little gold star at the bottom of the handle mean? Its a 6 point star.....kind of like a Sheriff would have.

 

[All Hat No Horse]

I think the star is just a decoration, possibly put there to make someone think it was used by a law-enforcement agency. If you ever find a rifle or shotgun with a Wells Fargo badge on it, run the other way. Almost guaranteed WF never owned it since they didn't mark their guns.
If it had correct hammers and was cleaned up, prices would probably be doubled - try for $200, satisfied for $150, but probably wouldn't accept $100 unless I really needed cash.
Cleaning it up is OK, but I'd recommend against trying to "restore" it. Re-blued metal &/or sanded and varnished wood will take the collector value even lower than it is now and as a mantle decoration, the "well-used" look seems to be prefered.

 

[Dixie Slugs]

As for hammers.........Get an accurate measurement from the center of the stud the hammer went on to the center of the firing pins. This is called the hammer's throw. Call the good people at Dixie Gun Works, Union City, Tenn......tell them you needed a set of semi-finished hammers with that hammer throw. When the hammers come in, have a gunsmith fit them on. As the man said.......go easy on cleaning. I have cleaned up many fine old guns be using spray "Simple Green" , lrt it soak, then wiping off the crud, and oiling them.
Strange as it seems........if it happens to be a muzzle loading shotgun, be sure to check to see if it's loaded (many were left loaded). Take the ramrod and drop it in the barrel, mark the depth, then lay it along the barrels. It it come up an inch or so short, it may well be loaded.
Best Regards, James

 

[joe chamberlain]

i was searching and found this forum, great. i have the same gun. with the star, ect. i thought it was a military gun. i just inherited it from my dad. on the gun it says the interchangeable. the star is brass, and on top of the dbl barrel, it says fine damascus belgium. i was hoping this gun was worth alot, i like it for display though. could you let me know if my markings make it worth and different. and could you confirm the age.

thanks, joe