wildfowler.250 Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Looking for some advice if possible? I'm considering purchasing a hammer gun,(always wanted one but I tend to find reasons not to purchase one). Has anyone got any good tips on what makes to look for? Or any buyer beware tips? There's a lot of English names that I've generally not heard of. And I find it difficult to compare whether the price is listed is reasonable or not? Eg a £500 gun but the condition makes it look like it should be half of that price. Looking for something around the £500 mark. I notice there's always a few midlands on sale, are these any good? Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 I will put my tin hat on now and not give you advice but make an observation..................... i have had several hammer guns and if i were to buy another one....the one thing i would check is the drop of the comb....i have always found that the lower the stock is to the line of the barrell the more it kicks...and that can be unpleasant when using modern cartridges and takes away the pleasure of using it...........so concentrate on how the gun is configured rather than the make and how it looks......if it embossed with silver and gold and is configured wrong...you will soon pass it on....and you will always have bad memories of hammer guns............. if it is configured right....it will be a joy to use... any way that is just my opinion..which i found out for , by myself............others may have a different opinion.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 (edited) Hopefully, another observation as sensible as the one above. If you can't quite make your mind up then there's nothing so pointless as buying a gun and then simply leaving it in the cabinet - obviously not talking mega bucks investments here if that what floats one's boat with a wallet to match. Edited September 17, 2017 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Before you splash out your hard earned cash, you might save yourself some trouble by buying/borrowing or stealing a copy of Diggory Hadoke`s book; "Hammer Guns in Theory & Practice". This is a well illustrated book with lots of tips on buying / restoration and using hammer guns including what to look for and what to avoid. While the book is not cheap (£30) you might just pick up a used copy as its been around for a while now. He is also a dealer and has a good website https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/. My opinion is dont allow yourself to be influenced to much by the name. You are not going to pick up a good Purdey hammer gun for £500 (unless you are very very lucky), so buy the best you can afford, the point to remember with all these old guns is `Condition` is paramount with nitro proof a close second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSpredder Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 If buying a top-lever gun, check whether it can be opened while cocked. Some cannot, in which case you need to be very careful to pull the correct trigger when un-cocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 If buying a top-lever gun, check whether it can be opened while cocked. Some cannot, in which case you need to be very careful to pull the correct trigger when un-cocking. This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted September 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Thanks a lot for the replies! Some very helpful info there and a lot of points I hadn't considered. Appreciate all the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Chances are that you will end up with a pre 20's English gun for your kind of money, most likely Birmingham made then stamped with whoevers name ordered the batch. Nothing wrong with such guns but you will find that 95% will be chambered for 2 1/2" shells so bare that in mind and don't be tempted to feed them high velocity super performance loads cos that's not what these guns are about. If you can find a gun with decent Damascus then all the better but more important is the wood - remove the locks and check for oil soaked woodwork or cracks around the hand. A well made Hammer Gun is a real joy to use but there are pitfalls for the unwary, I am happy to loan you my copy of Hadokes book (essential reading) if it helps but you might also ask the guru,s on this forum if they know of any decent guns for sale - guys such as Demonwolf444, for example, forget more about English guns everyday than I could ever hope to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 If buying a top-lever gun, check whether it can be opened while cocked. Some cannot, in which case you need to be very careful to pull the correct trigger when un-cocking. Good advice yet most are like this , besides the old English and Belgian hammer guns often seen remember Baikal and Armi San Marco and Breda make hammer guns and up to a more recent times. AYA did a magnum hammer gun these are very nice i did consider buying one years ago but got a no4 instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulboy1957 Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Holts auctions always has a few listed, but as has been said be careful, I waited quite a while for the right one to come up for sale; William Ford 12g hammer, 1880,unrestored, but nitro proofed (back in the 60's) and 2 3/4 chambers, really lovely gun with great walnut = £550 Take a good look at what you are buying or get a gunsmith to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Still shooting a Army and Navy hammer gun purchased in 1960. Its stamped K (keeper) Quality and is quite plain with only a border line engraved around the action. Enquiries to Glasgow University who hold the records reveal that this gun was made in 1898 and cost £7, how on earth did they do it. I had the fore end hook re-soldered last year and 20 years ago a sticky lock repaired. In my boyhood hammerguns lay unwanted and un-used in lots of farm sheds as nobody wanted them. I must say I like the sensation of manually pulling back the hammers and despite owning two hammerless ejectors by Pape and John Dickson I frequently still taqke out the old Army and Navy for the sheer pleasure of shooting it. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Having a chat with Wabbitbosher would be wise. He may have a one suitable in stock or can source you one. He knows what to look for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Before you splash out your hard earned cash, you might save yourself some trouble by buying/borrowing or stealing a copy of Diggory Hadoke`s book; "Hammer Guns in Theory & Practice". This is a well illustrated book with lots of tips on buying / restoration and using hammer guns including what to look for and what to avoid. While the book is not cheap (£30) you might just pick up a used copy as its been around for a while now. He is also a dealer and has a good website https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/. My opinion is dont allow yourself to be influenced to much by the name. You are not going to pick up a good Purdey hammer gun for £500 (unless you are very very lucky), so buy the best you can afford, the point to remember with all these old guns is `Condition` is paramount with nitro proof a close second. Diggory is a great lad who I met around 2001 when a group of us from the old guntrader forum met up at Minsterley for a day out. He came to Birmingham one night, as he was doing some business in the city, and I went for a pint with him at the Copthorne Hotel where he was staying. He had an old T. Osborne hammergun that he said wasn't good enough to restore as it wouldn't repay his outlay....so he gave it to me to restore for myself. Turned out really nice and a treat to use. Still have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Before you splash out your hard earned cash, you might save yourself some trouble by buying/borrowing or stealing a copy of Diggory Hadoke`s book; "Hammer Guns in Theory & Practice". This is a well illustrated book with lots of tips on buying / restoration and using hammer guns including what to look for and what to avoid. While the book is not cheap (£30) you might just pick up a used copy as its been around for a while now. He is also a dealer and has a good website https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/. My opinion is dont allow yourself to be influenced to much by the name. You are not going to pick up a good Purdey hammer gun for £500 (unless you are very very lucky), so buy the best you can afford, the point to remember with all these old guns is `Condition` is paramount with nitro proof a close second. He is a dealer and his prices are often fanciful to say the least . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Your question is very difficult to answer as the price will not always reflect the quality or the serviceability . Hammer guns are connectable as well as usable . The name will make a big difference . It will also depend on whether you want to use it regularly or just for the occasional bit of fun . If the latter then look for a gun made in the early to mid 1920's , if the former then find one you relay like the look of . Barrel condition is of course paramount and best to avoid guns with odd mechanisms as if any trouble does crop up they are horribly expensive to repair . I have sent you a PM as to a possible gun , that may fit your needs and I do know is in good condition . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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