AW Spies

OutlawC5 · 04-08-2006, 07:53 PM

Did anyone ever hear of a firearm manufacturer known as "AW Spies"? I bought a double barrel percussion shotgun, the guy that sold it to me knew nothing about it. Any info would help. Thank You

Mooseman684 · 04-08-2006, 09:33 PM

WOW !!! A. W. Spies was a prominent firearms dealer / agent In New York in the 1800's ! Most of their Markings were on Firearms by Ethan Allen of Grafton Massachusetts from 1831-1837. Ethan Allen continued there until 1842 and moved the Shop to Norwich , Connecticut for 5 years and in 1847 moved to A better facility in Worcester, Massachusetts ,Until 1871!
I can't tell If Ethan Allen made that shotgun but examine the locks for any Makers ID or look in the Center Rib between Barrels ...ANYTHING saying "ALLEN" !
I will continue researching , post back any more info !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-09-2006, 10:40 AM

Thank You for that info, The only markings that I could find are the "AW Spies" on both sides of the stock, and when taken apart under the barrels it has a "J" and what looks to be an upsidedown V. that is all that I know, the gun was in the back room of my local gun store. The store owner could tell me nothing. He gave me the owners number so Icalled him and he said that he knew nothing of it. He was asking $400. but he settled for $100. The gun is in decent condition and has the original ram rod

Mooseman684 · 04-09-2006, 12:14 PM

For 100 bucks You STOLE it ! That is what I consider to be a great find Antique and It is worth a bit more I would estimate, just due to its age and if it is good Condition w/ramrod that is even Better. I would Love To see some Closeup Pictures ! And please...Dont Shoot it ! It should be Damascus Steel !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-09-2006, 06:08 PM

I took a couple of pics of it but I don't know how to post them on a thread. If you would like, I could e-mail them to you.

Mooseman684 · 04-09-2006, 09:12 PM

I will PM you with my E-mail !
Rich

Despoiler · 04-09-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

I will PM you with my E-mail !
Rich

Rich, If you get the pictures please post them, I would love to see the shotgun.

Mooseman684 · 04-10-2006, 12:26 AM

Will do !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-10-2006, 04:00 PM

i sent to your email address let me know if you get them.outlawc5.thanks bill

Mooseman684 · 04-10-2006, 08:58 PM

I have posted the pics for OutlawC5 on my website !
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mooseman684-guns/
Enjoy !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-10-2006, 10:20 PM

What do you think does the gun hold any value?

Mooseman684 · 04-11-2006, 10:30 AM

Not knowing the Manufacturer as of yet it is hard to give an appraisal and that needs to be done hands on so as all factors of condition can be figured into the value. I will say that it is worth a minimum of 3-4 times what you paid for it and can go a lot higher depending on maker. That is a Beautiful Stock on that gun and it looks great . If you find any marks besides what you have told us let me Know...I'm still looking for More Info in my library !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-11-2006, 06:31 PM

I called a local gun dealer who deals mainly in antiques, and he told me that A.W. Spies built fine quality pistols but couldn't find anything on shotguns. So I called the NRA Musuem and spoke to an expert on historical firearms. He told me that the gun was manufactured somewhere between 1832 and 1860. He said that Spies was known for fine quality pistols and rifles. I thoroughly described the gun to him and he said that it was definitly hand made by Spies and that a shotgun especially a double barrel SxS from A.W. Spies is a very rare antique. He told me that it is impossible to give an estimated value without actually holding the gun. So maybe on my way to Georgia for vacation this summer I might take a stop at the musuem.

Mooseman684 · 04-11-2006, 08:33 PM

There you go ! I havent seen any A.W. Spies anywhere outside of Museums and a very few private collections since the late 70's and that excited me for you to find one for that price ! Very Cool and Good luck.( I figured it may have been a fine English Import made for Spies after seeing the pictures but there sure isn't a lot of info available even in My Extensive Library about Spies Manufacturing any guns!) AND...DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY RESTORATION OF ANY KIND ! Keep It Lightly oiled and wiped down in a DRY Place so as to not lose any value !
Rich

OutlawC5 · 04-12-2006, 05:19 PM

I have a guy from work that is a cabinet maker on the side and I have him building me a wooden case with a glass lid for showing purposes. As for now I put it in a plastic gun case in which I have lightly sprayed the foam interior with oil. Thanks for all your help.

Valjean · 02-11-2008, 12:21 PM

I have a civil war or before sword from my great grandfather who was in the civil war with the name A. W. Spies on it. Same person as the one on the gun?

ezearln · 02-11-2008, 12:39 PM

Mosse correct me if I am wrong but isn't the stock on the shotgun Birdseye Maple? It surely looks like it to me, but I too would like a much much closer look see!

Mooseman684 · 02-14-2008, 12:47 AM

I do believe it is....I haven't heard back from the owner OutlawC5...
Rich

winchester1 · 05-29-2008, 10:02 PM

I also have a Spies gun and would like info on gun and spies

Grey Wolf · 07-02-2008, 11:59 AM

I was googling up A. W. Spies and ran across this thread. My information is the same as Mooseman684's. In my opinion Spies was not a gunbuilder, but a successful dealer with high quality weapons.

I have a Spies marked buck and ball flintlock smoothbore for sale. It has no maker markings, like OutlawC5's shotgun.

I also have an Ethan Allen & Co. 12 bore sxs shotgun for sale. It doesn't have back action locks like OutlawC%'s gun. So I wonder if Allen made guns with back action locks.

I'm not a gun dealer, but a retired guy who is a muzzleloader shooter, collector and living history reenactor of the fur trade era and Texas Revolution 1835-36. My BP affliction started in 1976, when I built my first CVA kit....many guns ago.... and a lot of white smoke.

In order to find others afflicted with these maladies I think I will start a new thread looking for BP shooters and reenactors in my area, New Braunfels, Texas.

I don't have all the answers, but maybe I can help some folks with basic information. It will be worth half what I charge for it, nothing. I'm ready to learn too.

04-08-2006, 07:53 PM	#1
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	AW Spies Did anyone ever hear of a firearm manufacturer known as "AW Spies"? I bought a double barrel percussion shotgun, the guy that sold it to me knew nothing about it. Any info would help. Thank You

04-08-2006, 09:33 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	WOW !!! A. W. Spies was a prominent firearms dealer / agent In New York in the 1800's ! Most of their Markings were on Firearms by Ethan Allen of Grafton Massachusetts from 1831-1837. Ethan Allen continued there until 1842 and moved the Shop to Norwich , Connecticut for 5 years and in 1847 moved to A better facility in Worcester, Massachusetts ,Until 1871! I can't tell If Ethan Allen made that shotgun but examine the locks for any Makers ID or look in the Center Rib between Barrels ...ANYTHING saying "ALLEN" ! I will continue researching , post back any more info ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-09-2006, 12:14 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	For 100 bucks You STOLE it ! That is what I consider to be a great find Antique and It is worth a bit more I would estimate, just due to its age and if it is good Condition w/ramrod that is even Better. I would Love To see some Closeup Pictures ! And please...Dont Shoot it ! It should be Damascus Steel ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-09-2006, 09:12 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	I will PM you with my E-mail ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-10-2006, 12:26 AM	#8
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	Will do ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-09-2006, 10:40 AM	#3
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	Thank You for that info, The only markings that I could find are the "AW Spies" on both sides of the stock, and when taken apart under the barrels it has a "J" and what looks to be an upsidedown V. that is all that I know, the gun was in the back room of my local gun store. The store owner could tell me nothing. He gave me the owners number so Icalled him and he said that he knew nothing of it. He was asking $400. but he settled for $100. The gun is in decent condition and has the original ram rod

04-09-2006, 06:08 PM	#5
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	I took a couple of pics of it but I don't know how to post them on a thread. If you would like, I could e-mail them to you.

04-10-2006, 04:00 PM	#9
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	i sent to your email address let me know if you get them.outlawc5.thanks bill

04-10-2006, 08:58 PM	#10
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	I have posted the pics for OutlawC5 on my website ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/mooseman684-guns/ Enjoy ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-10-2006, 10:20 PM	#11
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	What do you think does the gun hold any value?

04-11-2006, 10:30 AM	#12
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	Not knowing the Manufacturer as of yet it is hard to give an appraisal and that needs to be done hands on so as all factors of condition can be figured into the value. I will say that it is worth a minimum of 3-4 times what you paid for it and can go a lot higher depending on maker. That is a Beautiful Stock on that gun and it looks great . If you find any marks besides what you have told us let me Know...I'm still looking for More Info in my library ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-11-2006, 06:31 PM	#13
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	I called a local gun dealer who deals mainly in antiques, and he told me that A.W. Spies built fine quality pistols but couldn't find anything on shotguns. So I called the NRA Musuem and spoke to an expert on historical firearms. He told me that the gun was manufactured somewhere between 1832 and 1860. He said that Spies was known for fine quality pistols and rifles. I thoroughly described the gun to him and he said that it was definitly hand made by Spies and that a shotgun especially a double barrel SxS from A.W. Spies is a very rare antique. He told me that it is impossible to give an estimated value without actually holding the gun. So maybe on my way to Georgia for vacation this summer I might take a stop at the musuem.

04-11-2006, 08:33 PM	#14
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	There you go ! I havent seen any A.W. Spies anywhere outside of Museums and a very few private collections since the late 70's and that excited me for you to find one for that price ! Very Cool and Good luck.( I figured it may have been a fine English Import made for Spies after seeing the pictures but there sure isn't a lot of info available even in My Extensive Library about Spies Manufacturing any guns!) AND...DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY RESTORATION OF ANY KIND ! Keep It Lightly oiled and wiped down in a DRY Place so as to not lose any value ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM! Last edited by Mooseman684; 04-11-2006 at 08:37 PM.

04-12-2006, 05:19 PM	#15
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 32	I have a guy from work that is a cabinet maker on the side and I have him building me a wooden case with a glass lid for showing purposes. As for now I put it in a plastic gun case in which I have lightly sprayed the foam interior with oil. Thanks for all your help.

02-11-2008, 12:21 PM	#16
Valjean Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	A. W. Spies I have a civil war or before sword from my great grandfather who was in the civil war with the name A. W. Spies on it. Same person as the one on the gun?

02-11-2008, 12:39 PM	#17
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,973	Mosse correct me if I am wrong but isn't the stock on the shotgun Birdseye Maple? It surely looks like it to me, but I too would like a much much closer look see! __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"

02-14-2008, 12:47 AM	#18
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,788	I do believe it is....I haven't heard back from the owner OutlawC5... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

05-29-2008, 10:02 PM	#19
winchester1 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	I also have a Spies gun and would like info on gun and spies

07-02-2008, 11:59 AM	#20
Grey Wolf Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canyon Lake, Texas Posts: 8	I was googling up A. W. Spies and ran across this thread. My information is the same as Mooseman684's. In my opinion Spies was not a gunbuilder, but a successful dealer with high quality weapons. I have a Spies marked buck and ball flintlock smoothbore for sale. It has no maker markings, like OutlawC5's shotgun. I also have an Ethan Allen & Co. 12 bore sxs shotgun for sale. It doesn't have back action locks like OutlawC%'s gun. So I wonder if Allen made guns with back action locks. I'm not a gun dealer, but a retired guy who is a muzzleloader shooter, collector and living history reenactor of the fur trade era and Texas Revolution 1835-36. My BP affliction started in 1976, when I built my first CVA kit....many guns ago.... and a lot of white smoke. In order to find others afflicted with these maladies I think I will start a new thread looking for BP shooters and reenactors in my area, New Braunfels, Texas. I don't have all the answers, but maybe I can help some folks with basic information. It will be worth half what I charge for it, nothing. I'm ready to learn too.