wildfowler.250 Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 I was looking online because I quite fancy a hammer gun and was looking up Midlands as I know they do make a 3" gun. I found one online that was advertised for just under 1K.. I thought these were relatively cheap and cheerful guns? Is this the going rate for some of them or is someone just taking the mick? Are the good guns? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Some people are asking ott prices for anything with hammers at the moment ! Many of them were the Baikals of their day so do some research is the answer so that you get decent value for money.Hth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted September 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Thanks! I've seen the odd AYA hammer online for about £600 mark which in my head would be a much better build quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Many hammer guns were the best guns of their day, certainly a fowling piece with ears has great character much loved by antique gun buffs. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted September 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Thanks blackpowder. I'd have thought most guns of that sort of age were hammer guns? And the best would have been hammerless as they were new and modern? Anyone got specific info on midland hammerguns? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 I used a 3" Midland hammergun as my first gun by chance ! Never saw a 3" cartridge until years later.It was a well enough made gun ,certainly a hard hitter even with 2 1/2 " shells.Would have thought £5-600 was more the mark nowadays but it would have to be in very good order at that. Hth. Midland built everything from basic to good quality so it`s a case by case assessment as far as individual guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) Please remember that the 3" will be 3" standard which if memory serve was 4 tons per sq", it is not 3" magnum . Price will depend on condition and scarcity , 3" guns are comparatively rare and one in good condition will fetch the money . It is also worth noting that our proof houses will not accept 3" guns now for any proof than magnum thanks to the idiots who run CIP who do not understand or have any though of reproofing and only concern them self's with new guns . Edited September 13, 2015 by Gunman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) Yes they`re quite problematic nowadays ! Seem to have lost any pragmatism they had . 1 1/2 oz was the old 3 " loading wasn`t it ? Edited September 13, 2015 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushandpull Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I was informed recently that the writer Guy N. Smith now owns the title, records etc. of the old Midland Gun Company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanWalker Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Midland made hammer guns of most qualities from very cheap farmer/colonial grade up to pretty decent as standard, and could (and did) make very good guns on request. Most of the Midland hammer guns I've seen advertised online are lower grade and look like they've had a hard life. There's a 1920s catalogue online here - see if you can identify the gun and it'll give you a good idea of the original quality and what you should be aiming to pay for the condition it is in today. It's interesting to note the most expensive 12 bore side-by-side hammer gun in the catalogue is £12.10.00 compared to £35.0.0 for a boxlock ejector and £60.0.0 for a top-of-the-range single trigger sidelock ejector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aister Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I bought a 32" 3" midland hammer gun a couple of months ago for £250. It was from an old friend who wanted me to have it and said himself that it would be able to sell for more. It could do with the barrels re-blued and the woodwork spruced up otherwise the gun is mechanically sound. It has "for 3" paper cases" stamped on the top of the barrels and looking at the proof marks it is nitro proofed for 1 1/2oz. Its a lovely gun to use compared to the other 32" "wildfowling" guns I have had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys. Didn't realise that 3" was not actually proofed for proper 3 inch shells. Would be fine for inland Wildfowling in scotland though with 42g 2 3/4" shells. Had a proper hum and haw about this and probably figure money spent along an AYA sbs line would probably be safer spent in terms of resale value ect. Appreciate the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Give elderkins a hit up in spalding they will advised you if the gun would be fit for the job and have a nice stock of older guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 I used to use a Midland 30 inch hammer sbs when a young lad, full + full, no way was I anywhere near a good enough shot to use it flying but sitting rabbits or pigeons were usually in trouble. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Didn`t have enough cartridges to waste on moving stuff when I started lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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