Make: Cogswell & Harrison

Model: Double Gun

Serial Number: 34950

Year of Manufacture: 1907

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 ¾” Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Box-Lock, Round Action, Top Break Shotgun with Dual Non-Selective Triggers & Ejectors.

Markings: The side plates are marked “COGSWELL & HARRISON LTD”. The top tang is marked “SAFE”. The water table is marked “34950”, “PATENT”, with two crowned V’s. The bottom of the barrel rib is marked “NAVY ARMS MARTINSBURG, WV 12 GA”.

Barrel Length: 30”

Choke: The left choke is IC and the right choke is M, Fixed.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a metallic bead at the front of the barrel rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece European hardwood set. The forend is a robust beavertail design with wrap-around checkering and two case-colored diamond shaped metal inserts with scroll engraving. The butt stock has a strait English wrist and flank checkering, which wraps around to the belly, just aft of the long tang. The stock has some scattered light scuff marks, with concentrations of small dings and compressions at and around the belly of the buttstock. Outside of a small loss along the left edge of the forend, there are no cracks. Drop at comb is 1 7/16”, drop at heel is 2”, the stock is slightly cast-off for right handed shooters. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the stock and 14 3/4” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the stock; the rear face of the butt stock has checkering. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored, with Scroll Pattern Engraving.

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are bright with minor fouling streaks. There is no notable erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bores rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrels have been reblued and retain much of its new finish with thinning on the leading edges and at the muzzle. There is intermittent oxidation. The screw heads range from tool marked to sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun features dual non-selective triggers and ejectors, the action re-sets to “Safe” when the action is opened. There is absolutely ZERO movement in the fixtures and barrel to frame fit; all springs are strong and the trigger pulls are crisp. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Cogswell & Harrison has been around since 1770 and is the oldest surviving gunmaker in London; in this span of history, which surpasses that of the United States of America, the company has definitely learned how to make superbly crafted firearms. This is a side by side internal hammer shotgun with dual non-selective triggers, an ‘auto-safe’ action and ejectors. The shotgun has absolutely beautiful scroll engraving. The wood to metal fit is excellent, the grain is vibrant and varied in form, the stocks show only a few minor marks, and about 50% of the metal finish remains; the balance is shown as a few light scuff marks and some faded spots on the lower tang from handling. The bores are bright with no erosion, which will attract shooters looking for their next high end game gun, but the shotgun’s good condition will undoubtedly captivate collectors.