What is the value of a Sam Holt Co model 1806 12 gauge shotgun made for Sears?
The Sam Holt shotguns were Belgian-made copies of Colt shotguns. Somewhere on the thing, especially if it was made & imported after 1891, you’ll find the McKinley tariff mark, which will say in very small letters either ‘Belgium’ or ‘Belgique.’ Most Belgian made shotguns at the time were very poor quality & many of them had ‘stub twist’ barrels, which were a cheap form of Damascus steel. Damascus barrels won’t stand modern smokeless powders. They blow up. If the markings say ‘fluid steel’ or ‘liquid steel,’ it would probably be safe to shoot with extremely low-powered modern loads. Otherwise, it’s a wall-hanger. Paint it white, decorate it with plastic flowers, & carry it to weddings.
