Reader Forum

Shotgun Repairs I have an Ithaca-Lewis 12 gauge hammerless side-by-side shotgun (S/N 105XXX) which dates to somewhere around 1904. I would like to clean up the inner works and possibly replace parts that might need replacement. I have scoured the Internet looking for a schematic and/or an article regarding the detailed breakdown of the gun. Then the April 2020 issue came out with the "Ithaca Flues Shotgun" article. Does the Flues inner works resemble those of the Ithaca-Lewis? From Sergey Lyalko.

The Ithaca- Lewis model was introduced in 1901, replacing the Crass model. The major difference between the two was the double-bolt (bottom and rib extension) unlike the Crass model with one underbolt. Other parts and the lockwork were identical. These pictures of the Crass model parts (top) and Lewis parts show the differences.

The Flues model appeared in 1908 and was different from the Lewis in that it had a tree-bolting system (underbolt and two bolts on the rib extension) with the major difference being the coil mainsprings. These differences are insignificant for disassembly and reassembly. Keeping Safety First On page 22 of the May issue, the right hand picture of the screwdriver is incorrectly identified. It is an electrician’s insulated screwdriver. The tip is not replaceable.

Wayne Shattuck Shotguns I’m looking for information on C. S. Shattuck shotguns. A customer brought one in for repair. His interest is reenacting and wants to shoot only blanks. The shotgun is missing the piece that cocks the hammers when the gun is opened. If I knew what it looked like, I could probably make one from scratch but I cannot find any schematics for it. Do you have such diagrams or can you suggest a place to find them? What historical information do you have? "Ranger" Doug From Mark Hollensen.

Some historical information on Shattuck shotguns. The C. S. Shattuck Arms Co. of Hatfield, Massachusetts was in business 1878 to 1908. In 1875 Major Charles S. Shattuck and Andrew Hyde started a pistol manufacturing business in Springfield, Massachusetts. In February of 1877, Hyde and Shattuck brought their Springfield pistol manufacturing business to Hatfield and went into a partnership with Mrs. Mary D. Porter in the Thomas Meekin sawmill on Prospect street, formerly the Crescent Pistol Co. established in 1874.

Shattuck possibly also had, concurrently or otherwise, a gun shop on Bridge street in Hatfield but the dates are unknown. In 1878 Mrs. Porter withdrew her partnership and the business was continued by Hyde and Shattuck. In 1880 Shattuck bought out Hyde and continued the factory alone, turning out many revolvers. Soon after he began to make single-barreled breech-loading shotguns and then double-barreled shotguns. Large quantities of both were made, averaging for a time 15,000 guns per year.

The gun shop was burned in 1881 and was immediately rebuilt on the same site. The manufacture of these guns was abandoned just before going out of business, with the last design made being a fourshot pistol but for how long is unknown. Dan Major Charles S. Shattuck served with the 6th Vermont Infantry in the Civil War and later lived on Main street in Hatfield. He returned at least once to Vermont for a military reunion. Shattuck was best known for inexpensive handguns and single barrel shotguns.

Their single barrels are valued from $35 to $150 and double barrels $100-$400 depending on condition. The 8 bores may command more. Shattuck used companies like J. P. Lovell Co. of Boston as distributors. This shotgun appears in a 1887 J. P. Lovell Co. catalog under the model name "American Trigger action". Shattuck made single and double barrel shotguns with and without hammer using Andrew Fyrberg’s patent (498,427, May 1893) using Champion and Shattuck’s Perfection service marks.

The Side Hammer Model in 10 and 12 gauge with a 30" or 32" twist or steel barrel was made from 1878 to 1886. The Old Model Side Snap in 12 and

16 gauge with 30" or 32" twist or steel barrels was made from 1880 to 1890. The American Trigger Action model was made from 1880 to 1904 and at least 961 guns were manufactured in 8, 10 or 12 gauge and 28", 30", 32", 34", 36", or 40" twist barrels, with and without a forend. Weight was over 13 pounds and called a "Punt Gun". The Ring Trigger Opening Model in 12 and 16 gauge with 30" or 32" twist or steel barrel was made from 1890 to 1909.

The Hammerless Single Barrel in 12 and 16 gauge with 30" steel barrel was made from 1887 to 1909. The New Model Side Snap in 12 gauge with a 30" twist or steel barrel was made from 1890 to 1909. Markings on observed specimens include "C. S. Shattuck, Hatfield, Mass. American", "London Twist-American", "C. S. Shattuck, Hatfield, Mass", "Hyde & Shattuck Springfield, Mass", "Leager", and "Perfection C. S. Shattuck with Pat’d Jan. 5, 1897".

I don’t have a schematic or disassembly resource for any of these guns and am not sure where to find one. Even a patent search turned up zilch. One thing known is that these guns were strictly blackpowder and should or post a letter to Falls Church, VA 22041. For subscription questions or mailing problems contact American Gunsmith