About Neil S Berman Expertise Collector of Percusion and cartridge firearms made before 1898, which makes them collectables and not weapons as defined by law.
Expert: Neil S Berman Date: 11/26/2007 Subject: Hollis & Sheath Shotgun
Question I am seeking information (date of manufacturer, value, shootability) on a Hollis & Sheath, double barrel 12 ga (?) shotgun. It has "London Fine Twist: on the rib between the barrels, engraving on all of the stock hardware and side plates, a small brass on the top of the stock, and two small brass line inserts in the rib at right angles to it length. The finish is rough, with light surface rust/etching, and almost no finish left. The owner says his deceased father used to hunt with it. any info you can provide would be appreciated.
Answer Hollis & Sheath, a partnership of John Hollis and Isaac Brentnall Sheath formed in Birmingham, England in 1844. Their 12 gauge hammer guns were made between 1849-1861. You really don't seem know which model you have, but an average used gun is $500, so yours would be considerably less. They use a black powder load with lead shot, so you will need a gunsmith to check the gun and tell you the load before you can use it, and then you will have to load your own shells.
