Swift Arms
 

I just got handed down an old shotgun from my father. He doesn't know much about it except that it belonged to my great grandfather. My grandfather died 2 years ago at the age of 94. My father is 70 and he said when he was 10 the thing was really old.

It's a single barrel break-action 16gauge.

It has Swift Arms written on the reciever on the left side.

I've tried to google this shotgun up and can't find a thing.

Anybody have some info on the history of this make of shotgun (Swift Arms)?

Thanks

Re: Swift Arms
 

Can you post any pictures of it? Would help a bunch with IDing it.

Re: Swift Arms
 

it's in dissassembled mode right now...do you mind pics of the pieces? everything is still in the reciever...just the stock and forestock is off now...

Re: Swift Arms
 

here it is...
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/IMGP2820.jpg
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/IMGP2821.jpg

Re: Swift Arms
 

the number 9084 is stamped into the wood under the forestoke and under the buttplate

Re: Swift Arms
 

Put a coat of oil on it an clean it up a little. Shoot it on the 4th of July.

Re: Swift Arms
 

I wouldn't shoot that. It might have more value as a collectable then as a shooter, and if it's as old as you make it out to be, modern cartridges might be far too hot for it. I'd maybe think about having it checked out by a trusted gunsmith to determine if it is shootable, collectable, or what have you. Might be a black powder design, might have damascus barrel, etc. Not worth risking it with shooting it, but always cool to see older stuff like this. Wish I could help you ID it, but thanks for sharing :)

Re: Swift Arms
 

I agree. Take it to a gun shop and I am sure they will give you free advice.

Re: Swift Arms
 

thanks for the tips. I replaced the trigger spring last night and generally cleaned it up. I'll be off to a gun smith this week.

My father told me that when he was 10 him and his buddy tied it to a tree and tied a long string to the trigger and test fired it. (without incident).

I told him I'd wanted a little more expert opinion on whether it was fine to shoot.

Man....to be 10 again...

Re: Swift Arms
 

I doubt it's worth anything except sentimental value. Just to be sure, you can sign up on the shotgunworld forum and post the pictures there. They will be able to tell you what it's worth. If it was me, i'd clean it up and hang it above the fireplace, and not worry about shooting it.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/index.php

Re: Swift Arms
 

I wasn't looking to find a value so much as restoring it for the cool factor.

Gunsmith will be letting me know about the condition of the barrel by the end of the week. He says he's familiar with the make.

Definitely a fireplace onament. Maybe a functional fireplace ornament.

Thanks

Re: Swift Arms
 

I'd like to find out about it myself. In all my reference books (6), none mention 'Swift Arms'. But it could have been a local manufacturer that a LOCAL gunsmith can give you the history of.

In gunsmithing terms, this is a 'wall hanger'. You put it up on the wall and show it off to all your friends.

I'm not sure I would shoot a firearm that was made more than 60 years ago. It could easily have shot black powder instead of todays current smokeless powder, which means today's powders will put a lot more pressure on the whole firearm. Especially the barrel.

But it's always nice to have a piece of history to hang onto. Especially when it's YOUR family history that is involved.

Re: Swift Arms
 

well....it's cleaned up glass beaded, polished, sanded, stained, honed, checked by a smith, test fired a box of 25, and added to my collection. Lots of elbow grease, but what a fun gun to shoot.
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...nedphoto/3.jpg
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...nedphoto/2.jpg