ironduke Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 Is it just me or does anybody else prefer using older guns with a bit of character? I've got a sleeved 12 bore that is my beater, it's as tight as a drum and has immaculate bores AND tons of charm! I just love using something that is 100+ years old, to think how many people have shot with it before, the things it's seen....and it looks gorgeous! Not a best gun or even a known maker but an honest English side by side with a lovely patina. So am i mad or are there other fans of using more "vintage" kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slated Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) I love using old gun aswell Edited July 6, 2011 by slated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattslaptop247 Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 me too! I have 6 hammer guns now, all well over 100 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 I prefer "older" guns there is something about them. Like you say if you could know what it's seen/done..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 I've got an old BSA SxS, it's a lovely old thing but it kicks a bit and has seen better days...needs slinging really, i'd like to get an old hammer gun for a change but wouldn't know what to look for? what sort of money should I look to spend on something basic but serviceable?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 I know its not really really old but my webly & scott 700 boxlock ejector is a sweet bit of kit.It was handed down from my father who has put all manner of loads through it and shot just about ever legal winged bird in the uk with it( and possibly a few not) As a well respected clay shot in the midlands he would take the side by side to local shoots and clean up, much to the surprise of some of the show offs with much more modern guns. Had it revamped a few years back as it had a bit of headplay and loose screws, never expose it to anymore than 28gr homeloads now,ideal walk about,pheasant or hide gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Billy after Bill badger in Rupert the bear?? Not all that old I know but I really do love using my old Side by Side which is about 60 years old! It get's far more outings than my Lincold Over and under. My (old) SxS is an Italian made one and looks very similar to a Churchill XXV, it looks great with plenty of "character" and is a treat to carry and shoot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie_M Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 I like my old greener gp its about 50 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACK-GUN Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 i have an old english 20 bore hammer gun s/s, maker is john fry of derby. i am going to shoot this at the british side/side championship at sporting targets on the 13th august it is a great little gun for any shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Another vote here for the oldies. I have a boxlock and a hammergun that are both pre 1900. I also have some much older stuff that predates percussion ignition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian28 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Got an avount tout 105 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodit Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 I have a J P Saur and Sohn S x S got it off PW and its a lovely thing, Tim Greenwood serviced it for me and recons its a top quality shotgun, great to shoot as well, anyway I contacted Sig Saur to see if they had any records of the serial no. Got a polite e-mailback saying that due to a major fire in the 1940s!! They had lost all there records of early firearms I couldnt help thinking Lancaster or Flying Fortress arsonists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprackles Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 Thomas Bland 10 bore.....2 5/8" chambers, Damascus barrelled hammer and nitro proofed. Cant get any ammo for it now and dont want to put non toxic through it so enquired about retiring it from my ticket. Licensing dept went on about proof house certificate, if they think i'm deactivating they can ram it. Its an obsolete calibre as defined by the Home Office, no ticket or security required if I keep it as a curio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 going to get a double barrel flintlock, i think they have a certain elegance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Arnt they just a joy to own and shoot with ? Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88b Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 I have a J P Saur and Sohn S x S got it off PW and its a lovely thing, Tim Greenwood serviced it for me and recons its a top quality shotgun, great to shoot as well, anyway I contacted Sig Saur to see if they had any records of the serial no. Got a polite e-mailback saying that due to a major fire in the 1940s!! They had lost all there records of early firearms I couldnt help thinking Lancaster or Flying Fortress arsonists I just had to cut and paste that to a friend in Texas, his father got shot down in the last week of the war, it could have been him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartB Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Hammer guns have a lot going for them. The one in the photograph (left), is about 160 years old. We have had some good shooting holidays together. If you hear thunder on a sunny day, that's us! Have also shot pheasant with a flintlock, but the delay in firing takes a bit of getting used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 going to get a double barrel flintlock, i think they have a certain elegance! GOOD MAN ! great too see there is still hope for the shooting race of people ! you are a man of great taste ! if you'r skillfull with it then you will have great fun shooting it , a bit difficult to get new flints for unless you are skilled at flint knapping . Not long ago a chap at a Muzzle Loaders clay shoot shot 50 birds straight with a double filnter , so it can be done . If you get any **** about it from the Rambo's with their camo 13 shot 3&half inch hevi shot magnams that kill birds at a 150yards blah ! blah !( Ive met em!) just tell em to keep seeing the Doctor ! & Keep taking the tablets ! & for heavens sake tell em not to **** in case they blow their "Teeth out!" I have a double flint lock by Scudamore of Birmingham its about 20g & this season I will be having a go at Greylags on my farm with it . If you want to Chat get in touch . Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Got an old family ward hammer gun, sadly getting to stage where bits are dropping off, recondition, deactivate or scrap??? Can't make my mind up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Got an old family ward hammer gun, sadly getting to stage where bits are dropping off, recondition, deactivate or scrap??? Can't make my mind up. refurb! as long as the tubes are good! if the are bad then have a wall hanger, I find myself being drawn more and more to a hammergun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 refurb! as long as the tubes are good! if the are bad then have a wall hanger, I find myself being drawn more and more to a hammergun! lovely old damascussed barrels, good as the day they were made. its an old jones type underlever, unfortunately i lost the hinge pin on its last trip out and a couple of pieces of decoration have dropped off the fore end. I suspect it'll probably cost more than it's worth to have them replaced....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodit Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 I must admit a hammer gun calls to me as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thomas Bland 10 bore.....2 5/8" chambers, Damascus barrelled hammer and nitro proofed. Cant get any ammo for it now and dont want to put non toxic through it so enquired about retiring it from my ticket. Licensing dept went on about proof house certificate, if they think i'm deactivating they can ram it. Its an obsolete calibre as defined by the Home Office, no ticket or security required if I keep it as a curio. If you can get 10g cases trim them to the chamber lenth of your old gun , recap em & reload em with black powder & shot ,but NOT STEEL its too hard on damascus barrels . The case dose not have to be rolled over just press on the top wad & seal it home with some silicon them you can reuse the cases many more times over than the ones that have been rolled . If you dont have a black powder ticket its well worth getting one just to keep the old gun in service. I use this method on my 8g cases & have used it on 4g brass cases to , best keep away from nitro with old guns its the wrong stuff for em & black is much more fun . Pole Star . ps make sure you clean it straight after use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 lovely old damascussed barrels, good as the day they were made. its an old jones type underlever, unfortunately i lost the hinge pin on its last trip out and a couple of pieces of decoration have dropped off the fore end. I suspect it'll probably cost more than it's worth to have them replaced....... if the barrels are good well worth investigating the cost if you can find someone who can do a sympathetic refurb at a price you can have a very usable gun back again if its been in the family for a while its got to be worth keeping for future generations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 The second-hand rack at the dealers is always far more interesting than the 'new' one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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