5/25/2021 – Arms and Armor

12 gauge, 30″ barrels, no S/N. Browned Damascus patterned barrels, color casehardened frame and locks, checkered pistol-gripped stock with hard rubber hunting scene buttplate, checkered splinter forend. Receiver and locks with simple English foliate engraving and geometric boarders. Double triggers and double exposed hammers. Bottoms of barrels with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks and gauge marked 13. Water table with Birmingham proofs as well. Barrels engraved C. HOMMRICH SAN JOSE CAL LAMINATED STEEL. Locks engraved C HOMMRICH. Length of pull 14″, drop at comb 2″, drop at heel 3.25″, 2.75″ chambers, bores measure 12 gauge “cylinder”. The misspelling of Homerich’s name as “Hommrich” suggests the engraving of the lock and barrel marks was performed in England by the original maker, rather than in California. Christian Homerich (1855-1905) worked in San Francisco as a gunmaker and retailer ca1872-1882 and in San Jose from 1883-1905. His name is primarily associated with breechloading shotguns, most of which he likely imported from England like this one, as well as Belgium. California retailer marked guns from the 19th century are rather scarce and very collectible.