A 14-gauge percussion double gun by William Dooley of Liverpool, England.
This Dooley comes in a fitted mahogany case with all manner of accessories: a period cap tin, a nipple wrench, a powder flask and shot pouch made with matching pig skin by "Bartram & Belcher Sheffield ", shot and powder measures, a cleaning rod and gear, an oil bottle, a second shot charger, a card cutter, a ball mold with 7 balls, 2 shot charges and a screwdriver. It made up a complete ensemble. The top rib on the gun is marked: "Dooley, Liverpool,” and the locks are engraved with hunting dogs and “Dooley” on both locks. As with most percussion doubles, the Dooley has a hooked breech and a key, in the fore end allowing for convenient removal of the barrels. The breeches also have platinum blowout plugs on the sides. The ramrod on this gun is quite rare and original to the gun, it is made of straight-grain ebony with a capped brass screw on one end (for pulling wads) and a flared brass loading tip.
The percussion locks are beautifully crafted. The high quality can be experienced simply by simply cocking and uncocking the locks. You can feel the mainsprings “stack”—the tension lessening as the hammer is drawn back and increasing as the hammer falls. The bores are as smooth and shinny as the day they left the shop. See the pictures for overall condition.
The stock work is excellent, with an attractive and well-laid-out piece of English walnut. The stock is checkered at 16 lines per inch in a flat-topped pattern with grooved borders. The lock inletting is crisp, with just enough wood removed for the locks to function. The stock is well shaped and has a feature from the era that can’t be seen in a profile view: The wrist is as wide as it is tall (1-3/8” x 1-3/8”), giving it a bit more heft and strength than it appears to have. The large buttplate (5-1/2” x 1-7/8”) offers plenty of recoil surface and promotes the angular look of the stock.
As to the shootability of the Dooley, the stock dimensions (14-3/8” length of pull, 2-1/8” drop at comb, 2-5/8” drop at the heel, and about 1/4” of cast) and nicely proportioned. The gun is well balanced and feels lively despite it being a tad heavy at just over 7 pounds.
This is an ANTIQUE and can be shipped directly to you. (adult signature required) Sold as an Antique ~ no guarantees, warranties, or liabilities for any actual usage. If any firearms are to be used for shooting purposes, a qualified gunsmith should inspect them first.
