Boston isn’t a city we think of as gun friendly. But in the 19th and early 20th century, it was home to a number of famous gunmakers, including William R. Schaefer.
Wm R. Schaefer started making percussion guns around 1853. By 1883, his sons had joined the business and they were making custom shotguns and rifles in Boston at 61 Elm Street (Elm Street was at the edge of Scollay Sq, near Faneuil Hall).
The Wm R. Schaefer boxlock you see here was probably made in the 1880s. It looks very “Westley Richards” to me, which isn’t surprising. Schaefer was an agent for Harrington & Richardson’s A&D hammerless guns. Here’s more about this double from the seller:
Wm R Schaefer Double Barrel Shotgun 12 ga:
s/n 4170; brl length 30″; top break SxS; Good cond; checkered pistol grip, heavily engraved action, trigger guard, damascus brls, light rust at top front.
