| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 25/02/22 03:55 PM |
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Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta Dumoulin Freres - 44 Shotgun w/ Travel Case
.... suggested to bring this over from a different Forum ....
Hello All,
This is another from my collection - a very interesting Rook Rifle. (actually a 44 cal shotgun) It was purchased at a local Wisconsin gun show about 12 years ago. Finding such an item locally is unusual. I wish I could find History how it came here. It still has its original 1916 Redhead Leather Travel Case. The travel case is dated June 20, 1916. Amazingly, the case still has its original key for the locking strap. (a feature that would not likely stop a thief)
This dainty little gun weighs only a tad over 3-1/2 pounds. It has a very Unique Folding Martini action, making it simple to clean. This may account for why it still has a mirror bright bore from end-to-end.
Here are the specs:
3 lbs 9-1/2 oz - Octagon to Round 22-1/8" Barrel - 13-5/8" LOP
Pictures don't do justice to show the gun still retains about 75% silvered case color on the receiver, and 90% original blue on the barrel. The previous owner; W.K.SMITH, carved his name into the left side of the stock just behind the receiver. It also has an "optimistic" Hard Rubber Butt Plate showing a pair of Flying Ducks. I don't think this would make a good waterfowl gun.
As always, comments are welcome.
| 260rem |
| (.375 member) |
| 25/02/22 06:25 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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That's definitely an interesting gun, I've seen similar in a 9mm version called a garden gun, a relic from the days when you could dish out some medicine to pest birds in a suburban garden.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 26/02/22 06:03 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Appear to be shortened .44 mag cases, so I suspect it's chambered for the .44 SPL or .44 Russian?
Neat gun to have.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 26/02/22 08:08 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Quote:
That's definitely an interesting gun, I've seen similar in a 9mm version called a garden gun, a relic from the days when you could dish out some medicine to pest birds in a suburban garden.
Hello 280rem,
Thanks for the reply.
Quote:
Appear to be shortened .44 mag cases, so I suspect it's chambered for the .44 SPL or .44 Russian?
Neat gun to have.
Hello Daryl_S,
Thanks for the reply.
I use 44-40 cases loaded with a paper shot capsule that I make myself. Paper is wrapped around the steel mandrel shown in the cartridge box to make a shot capsule, then filled with 200g of 7-1/2 shot.
Very good results!
| 260rem |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/02/22 10:35 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Interesting way to load them, I'd have bought the 44nag shot capsules but that seems to work really well and is definitely cheaper then those things are.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 27/02/22 05:42 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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If a .44/40 case chambers, then the first pictures using .44 mag cases, would have a LOT of expansion.
Interesting. What do you shoot with it?
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 27/02/22 12:11 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Quote:
If a .44/40 case chambers, then the first pictures using .44 mag cases, would have a LOT of expansion.
Interesting. What do you shoot with it?
Hello Daryl_S
Thanks for the reply.
Pressures are low enough with shotgun loads that the head doesn't expand and the neck seals. I shoot Rooks and Rabbits ... that's why its called a Rook & Rabbit gun.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 27/02/22 12:40 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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LOL - we use muzzleloading rifles for shooting hares.
The last crows I shot, were with a 20 bore Ithaca. The last ravens were with a 12 bore Mossy.
I must say, though, the Rook and Rabbit gun would have been fun on the crows and ravens, if perhaps a little under gunned.(at least on the ravens - big birds)
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 27/02/22 09:32 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Neat little piece Buckstix - like a mini 410.
Yes the original H&R 410's fired a 44 shot shell as well.
Pinched from The firearms forum - read down a bit
https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/antique-h-r-410.47350/
a guide to the manufacture era of any H&R 410 bore single barrel shotgun is;
410-44 = 1916-1921 2 inch chambers
410-12mm= 1922-1936 2 1/2 inch chambers (My little girl)
410 (only) = 1937-1941 and later 3 inch chambers
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 01/03/22 12:56 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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I just got some T/C 44 shot capsules that I will be trying soon. I'll compare the results to my home made paper capsules.
| 260rem |
| (.375 member) |
| 01/03/22 05:35 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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That should be interesting, but for some reason while I think they might look a bit neater that they won't shoot any better.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 02/03/22 10:42 PM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Quote:
That should be interesting, but for some reason while I think they might look a bit neater that they won't shoot any better.
Hello 260rem,
Thanks for the reply.
Just for giggles I did a chamber cast. I discovered the gun is actually a 410ga with a 2" chamber. I examined all the markings more closely and found a tiny 410-50 mark. The 50 is 50mm which equates to a 2" chamber. I edited the original picture to show the 2" cartridge options at the bottom.
| 260rem |
| (.375 member) |
| 03/03/22 12:12 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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You should then be able to load some shortened 410 cases for it, trim down some magtech brass or maybe even slightly trimmed 45/70 brass.
Then no need to roll paper shot capsules just load them as any other shot shell.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 03/03/22 12:34 AM |
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Re: Another Interesting Rook Rifle - Marietta 44 Shotgun w/ Case
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Quote:
You should then be able to load some shortened 410 cases for it, trim down some magtech brass or maybe even slightly trimmed 45/70 brass.
Then no need to roll paper shot capsules just load them as any other shot shell.
Hello 260rem,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, that's exactly what I show at the bottom of the first row of pictures. A homemade shot cartridge using 44-40 brass and paper shot capsule, next to a shortened Magtech 410 brass case, and a shortened Winchester 410 plastic case.