Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 (edited) long storey short! I have picked up a old english Hammer Shotgun that I can date the first proof mark back to 1856!! its a A.E.E Wilkinson of Birmingham! anyone know any value roughly or any info on the maker? Edited December 16, 2016 by Daz1986 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clumber Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Found a Arthur E B Wilkinson, in British Gunmakers vol 2. 10 Whittall St, B'ham 1910, 26 Bath St 1916, 1927, Bath St 1917-24. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Many thanks clumber I will check the inscription Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 its is A.E.B wilkinson!!! first proof mark still comes in at 1856 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Bath Street was where the Midland Gun Co were based. I guess there were many makers there over the years as it was the centre of the gun quarter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 1856 is an exact date, how did you arrive at this, is the actual date marked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 That's an early cartridge gun. Got any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 There was an Edward William Wilkinson in Whittall St 1877/1892 .Dont forget the Birmingham gun trade was made up of families so several generations of the same name can crop up .Some of these men worked for others either directly or as out workers .Occasionally one would produce guns bearing their name often for specific customers ,shops / exporters, so a name that is little known in the UK may be well known in one of the former colonies . A valuation would be little more than a guess without a physical examination . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 I can't get the pics on here. The proof markings I have matched to a book (earliest proof is crown with BP under and next crown with BV) from what I made out its 1856?? Then the last is nitro proof Soon as in I will try and get the images up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 If its marked as nitro proof then it will certainly be later than 1856. That date would make it either a percussion gun or a pin fire .Certainly not a center fire . Proof marks can be a bit of a struggle to read if not familiar with them If you want to email them to me I will have look . grahamgunsmiths@gmail.com Let me know as I dont look at this em very often these days . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 sent over to you graham.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz1986 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 pics added guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 (edited) These are Birmingham from the 1904/1924 period .The gun is very much a basic level ,functional but thats about all . Steel barrels 2&1/2" chamber so I would guess it was built early 20's ,itmat have date stamp a crossed pikes over a letter This will be on the flats close to the breech of just in front of the flats on the inner side of one of the barrels .Externaly it looks to be in fair condition and obviously it has had some recent cosmetic work done . Thats about all I can say . Edited December 16, 2016 by Gunman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clumber Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 These are Birmingham from the 1904/1924 period .The gun is very much a basic level ,functional but thats about all . Steel barrels 2&1/2" chamber so I would guess it was built early 20's ,itmat have date stamp a crossed pikes over a letter This will be on the flats close to the breech of just in front of the flats on the inner side of one of the barrels .Externaly it looks to be in fair condition and obviously it has had some recent cosmetic work done . Thats about all I can say . +1. Always fun a day out with a hammer gun, enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 As Stated marks indicate is somewhere from 1904 - 1925. Proofed for 1 1/8 oz means 32 grams - Best not to exceed this loading. If you want a good game cartridge range in 65mm ( 2 1/2 inch casings ) use Hull imperial game, i find in old guns the 26 gram or 28 gram loads are very capable and exceptionally sweet shooting. These "keepers" hammer guns - which were roughly made and poorly finished were churned out in hundreds by most gunmakers - do not discount this, many are still in very good strong condition after a hundred years of hard use, and while they may be roughly finished they are probably better build than many modern made guns today. Use appropriate cartridges and such a gun will give another lifetime of use and be a joy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.