The Old Catablog

From the Montgomery Ward Catalogue of 1895:

THE NEW MODEL SPENCER REPEATING SHOT GUN. $28.00.

(Single barrel). latest model: can be taken apart to pack. 1890 Model.

46577 The magazine is located under the barrel and will hold 5 cartridges. Damascus barrels, walnut pistol grip stock, checkered, beautifully finished throughout, and is superior to any double barrel shot gun in precision and penetration. Has few parts and is solid and substantial. Can be used as a single loader and cartridges in magazine held in reserve. 30 and 32-inch barrels, 7¾, 8¼ pounds, weight; 12 gauge. Each….. $28.00

Every gun warranted a good shooter, and perfect in every respect.

46577½ The Spencer Gun, same as 46577, except TWIST barrels and WOOD SLIDE and not checkered grip; iron butt plate, 12 gauge, 30 and 32-inch, 7½ to 8½ lbs; drop stock. 3-inch; length stock, 13½. 14 inch. Each….. $18.75

Note the discount between the two grades, as well as between this and the Burgess Shotgun previously mentioned.

From the Montgomery Ward Catalogue of 1895:

The Burgess Repeating Shot Gun. $28.00

46569 The Burgess Single Barrel Repeating Shot Gun, walnut stock, Damascus barrels, bored for long range close shooting. This gun has the sliding pistol grip movement for loading and ejecting shell. Made of best material, has few parts and not liable to get out of order. Barrel can be separated from stock in an instant. 12 gauge, 30 or 32 inch, about 7½ pounds weight: 6 shot….. $28.00

Circulars giving full description of Burgess Gun sent free on application.

There doesn’t seem to be much information about this shotgun on the web. Here is one site providing some brief information as well as pictures. Before anyone asks, I don’t have the circular…

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, 1897:

“The Zulu” Breech Loading Shot Gun $3.40.

Our Genuine “Zulu” Breech Loading Shot Gun. A safe, strong and close shooter to load. The hammer must be raised to half cock, the breech block brought over by the thumb from left to right. The ex­tractor is attached to the breech block; by pulling the block backward the shell is extracted. There is a spiral spring that carries block back to position. This is a very strong and durable gun for general purposes; 12 gauge only.

Our special price….. $3.40

From what little I’ve read, the “Zulu” guns were old single-shot muskets modified to use shotgun shells and then imported to the United States (a brief definition can be found at MidwayUSA.) It should also be noted that these shotguns were half the price of their single-barreled brethren in the Sears catalog.