Need help to ID an old side-by-side

[Huntingdonhavoc]

Hello everyone I need some help in getting identification or any other identification on a shotgun for a friend.

He gave me a list of things to help out but I'm having trouble finding any if anything about it.
Here is the list he wrote down.

Name of the gun: London Fine twist (i'm thinking thats just to describe the barrels and not the name)
Doesn't know gauge
Barrels about a dime round in size
Has nipples for caps
Double Barrel (side-by-side)
Double hammers/triggers
Fine wire twist in barrels
Wooden ram rod underneath and between barrels
About 43" long
weighs around 10-12lbs
Doesn't know age of gun or where it came from
Has gold leaters that say London Fine Twist between the barrels near the hammers

I did a search but couldn't find out much about it. Have any of you guys had any expirence with this manufacturer?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[knight0334]

Made by Henry Nock of London.

[Huntingdonhavoc]

Thank you knight that will help with my search

[knight0334]

I'm gonna guess the age of production was between 1840 and 1860's.

[knight0334]

...doing some more research.

Joseph Manton also made some labeled London Fine Twist. The barrels were made for him by Hollis & Sheath. My dad has a Hollis & Sheath 12ga percussion, I'll try to get ahold of him to see if his is marked London Fine Twist as well. ...if so, the barrels might be H&S with the rest of the gun being a hodge-podge.

[knight0334]

Is there any inscription on the locks of any sort?

[Huntingdonhavoc]

He said there were no other inscriptions. Although I haven't had the opportunity to check the gun for myself. Thank you though very much for the info he will be very greatful! Is the term London fine twist ment to represent the barrels style?

[knight0334]

I'm guessing the "London Fine Twist" has to do with the damascus twist type barrels. Finer type wires, wrapped in a finer pattern.

And here is mine and dad's Yahoo transcript. The barrels were made by Hollis & Sheath for sure.

Bobby: hey dad.. can you look at that really old shotgun of yours, that Hollis & Sheath 12ga to see if it is marked "London Fine Twist" on the barrels somewhere please??
Dad: ok will be right back
Dad: yes, starting 2 inches from hammers there looks like a tree then a hunter pointing a gun out over a fence into a wooded area then very faint london fine twist why
Bobby: another guy at a PA gun website has an old shotgun he is trying to identify.
Dad: hollis and sheath is gun maker on side plates too
Bobby: yep. I remembered that about yours, thats why I asked you about it. I kinda remembered yours had "London Fine Twist" on, but was foggy in the head if it was true since its been since my last trip down since I looked at it.
Dad: guessing made between 1850 and 1870
Bobby: could be a little earlier too. percussion caps were pretty much invented in the 1830's. I think H&S was around from 1840's
Dad: farm was first bought in 1858 by plotners
Dad: could be
Bobby: that was from the Plotner farm?
Dad is typing a message.
Dad: yes

[Huntingdonhavoc]

Wow very cool!! Thank you for helping me solve the puzzle. I'm going to try and print out some information on both Joseph Manton and Henry Nock's rifles. He said he thought it may be from the civil war era which seems about right. You went above and beyond what I had hoped knight again thank you for the help.

[knight0334]

You're very welcome. ..glad I could help.