Hammer guns?

[wildfowler.250]

I was just wondering for general advice on buying a hammer gun? I'd quite fancy one and there's a few on guntrader ect but most have 'obscure' makers names. How do you tell how much the gun is actually worth? Or whether it's of good quality?

 

Any other advise is appreciated

[matone]

Most hammerguns you see will be basic quality guns,although some dealers seem to try

and get big money for them !

Good quality ones are not bound to be ornately decorated with engraving but exhibit their quality

in the filing up fo action shapes and furniture etc.

Quality hammerguns are true thorobreds and wonderfull things to shoot !

[JohnfromUK]

Most hammerguns you see will be basic quality guns,although some dealers seem to try

and get big money for them !

Good quality ones are not bound to be ornately decorated with engraving but exhibit their quality

in the filing up fo action shapes and furniture etc.

Quality hammerguns are true thorobreds and wonderfull things to shoot !

 

Agree with the above.

There were large quantities of foreign (mainly Belgian) guns imported, some with 'spurious' lookalike mis-spelt names, e.g. Westy Richards. These are usually of very poor quality. These continued to be sold towards the bottom of the market for many years after 'best' guns had moved on to hammerless.

 

Genuine 'best' hammerguns are sought after, much less numerous and consequently expensive. All the usual 'best' names are there (Purdey, Boss, Holland, Lancaster, Woodward, Moore & Grey, Stephen Grant etc.) but many Birmingham (e.g. Powell, Westley Richards) and provincial names can also be superb quality, though provincials may be based on Birmingham made actions (such as W&C Scott actions). Few best guns were made in the 20th century since those who could afford 'best' prices tended to want the latest hammerless guns. Hammer guns with ejectors are very rare and even when seen, often the ejectors are a later conversion to update an old 'favourite' gun. Bear in mind that they occur with both rebounding and (earlier) non rebounding locks. The non rebounding need more care in use.

Edited December 22, 2014 by JohnfromUK

[Chris Bb]

The Army & Navy Stores catalogue of 1939/40 had side lock hammerless ejector guns priced from £35 - £90. Ordinary ejector guns ranged from £19 - £35 with a non-ejector at £13.50 or £15. All British.

 

A hammer gun "suitable for keepers" was still available at £6.75.

 

£1 then was worth roughly £50 now.

[Blackpowder]

For 30 years I shot with an Army and Navy hammer gun 'K 'or keeper quality. Loved it a simple no frills top lever rebounding locks gun most likely true cylinder in both barrels cost £15 circa 1960 and heaven knows how many rounds it had through it. Yet it coped with the the ferocious Baikal paper cased cartridges likewise the teeth jarring Sellior and Belliot shells. The action is still tight but the forend loose, should the magic six numbers ever come up it shall have a total renovation and at least become my pigeon and hide gun again. Some discipline is required when handling a hammer gun and a few years experience fowling and pigeon shooting is not a bad thing before appearing in company. Handling is faster than you think as all top lever hammer guns are self openers, push the lever and the barrels drop, flick out the fired shells insert live rounds , close the gun and point the barrels skywards allowing the thumb to lodge firmly behind the hammers where with practice both barrels can be cocked at once. Still plenty of sturdy hammer guns around from Birmingham and provincial makers, our own Wabbitbosher frequently has a bargain in the fore sale section. Buy a piece of history and enjoy.

 

Blackpowder

[Cumbrian]

A few points to watch out for, IMHO. Others will doubtless add more.

 

1. Very important - check the wall thicknesses. You don't want anything less than 20 thou in either barrel, and preferably mid 20s or above

 

2. Details such as tear drops on the stock will indicate a quality gun originally, but they, like the checkering, should still be sharp and well defined.

 

3. Watch out for shortened barrels. They should be 30 inches from that era, unless specially made 28 inches for small gauges.

 

4. Hammerguns with top levers are worth more than those with e.g. rotary underlevers; even though the latter are very secure, they are not so deft in operation.

 

You can see a lot of (expensive) hammer guns on the Cotswood gun site, as well as on Guntrader. Get a feel for the market first.

[matone]

Expensive is definitely the word !

[Gunman]

You have to be a little carful in what you buy as a lot of hammer guns are in fact "hammered" guns ,by which I mean guns long past there sell by date .There are also a lot of odd actions and please remember that many were made for black powder so check the proof and most will be 2&1/2 " .I know of a late 1930's T Wild , plain round bodied well in proof and all original for £650 a good solid gun but nothing fancy . Question is how much do you want to spend and how much do you want to use it ?

[Underdog]

You could always go for one without the fiddly hinges and lever thingies!

 

 

Comes with it's in built reloading kit

 

U.

[dougall]

 

Agree with the above.

There were large quantities of foreign (mainly Belgian) guns imported, some with 'spurious' lookalike mis-spelt names, e.g. Westy Richards. These are usually of very poor quality. These continued to be sold towards the bottom of the market for many years after 'best' guns had moved on to hammerless.

 

Genuine 'best' hammerguns are sought after, much less numerous and consequently expensive. All the usual 'best' names are there (Purdey, Boss, Holland, Lancaster, Woodward, Moore & Grey, Stephen Grant etc.) but many Birmingham (e.g. Powell, Westley Richards) and provincial names can also be superb quality, though provincials may be based on Birmingham made actions (such as W&C Scott actions). Few best guns were made in the 20th century since those who could afford 'best' prices tended to want the latest hammerless guns. Hammer guns with ejectors are very rare and even when seen, often the ejectors are a later conversion to update an old 'favourite' gun. Bear in mind that they occur with both rebounding and (earlier) non rebounding locks. The non rebounding need more care in use.

I never knew there were ejector hammer guns.....

OP if u r serious get hold Of Diggory Hadokes book ''old guns for the modern shooter'' or something like that it is a great book for this topic.If you cant find a copy,You are welcome to borrow my copy;whereabouts are you?

[dougall]

P.S. with old guns my view is you are buying the BARRELS......whether damascus or steel...proof/condition are imperative as is your intended use.Put condition of barrels above all else..very easy to fall in love with a pretty old gun or hammers as smooth as devon butter, but as much use as a chocolate fire guard if you cannot shoot what you want through it...Damascus barrelled guns are much cheaper BUT NOT inferior if proper English made...

[matone]

Very true of all older guns! Damascus barrels are a must on a hammergun for me,all part of the art

of gunmaking !