Higgins 16 gauge

Question
My father just gave his dad's Higgins 16 double (circa 1940's ?) to my son for his graduation. I am giving him a Winchester 101. And I want to get a nice case (Impact or Americase) to fit both. My dad says the JCH does not break down. I was wondering if you know if that is true.

Thanks for your help.

Keith W.
Houston TX

Answer
Hi Keith,

Most doubles do break down for cleaning.  Check the following:

1.  Make sure the gun is not loaded by opening the breach.
2.  Close the breach, point the gun in a safe direction and clear the trigger
3.  Turn the gun upside down.
4.  Look at the wood foreend.  You should see a small hole or indentation.  
5.  Using your finger, pull straight up.  The wood foreend should come off.
6.  Open the gun and the barrel should lift out as you hinge the barrel down.

To reassemble the gun, just reverse the process.

That is the way it works for virtually all of the doubles out there...

Hope this helps you out.

Doug Little