Give and old girl a new home.

[ryle]

Upon reading some doom and gloom (but totally understandable) comments about gunsmiths 'cutting up old guns by the bucket load' and 'old guns that shops can't even give away', my question is.... is it possible to rescue some of these old girls? 

For example, im always on the lookout for an old side by side in left hand, or something old to experiment with bending the stock on that would otherwise be scrapped. It'd be nice to have a rummage around in one of these 'scrap piles' depending on where they may be.

The older I get, the more I like old stuff ha ha

[BobbyH]

It would be nice yeah, I much prefer the cheap and cheerful over the £2000 guns.

How do you go about it? Just into your local gunsmith and ask what’s in the scrap pile?

[islandgun]

11 minutes ago, ryle said:

Upon reading some doom and gloom (but totally understandable) comments about gunsmiths 'cutting up old guns by the bucket load' and 'old guns that shops can't even give away', my question is.... is it possible to rescue some of these old girls? 

For example, im always on the lookout for an old side by side in left hand, or something old to experiment with bending the stock on that would otherwise be scrapped. It'd be nice to have a rummage around in one of these 'scrap piles' depending on where they may be.

The older I get, the more I like old stuff ha ha

From what ive heard, contact Holts 

[marsh man]

Start off going into your local gun shop for advice and go on from there , you never know you might drop in lucky when you walk through the door .    MM

[ryle]

Some good advice there. 

It pains me to hear about such items going to waste.

[Minky]

I have just done this.  A few months ago I bought two single barrel 12g for £13 yep 13.  You buy one yer get one free from holts. one was an AyA cosmos that looked as if it had just been carried over someones arm and the other one was a Bridgwater arms sb 12G. Neither of them are financially great value but they are what they are and both are in like new condition.  The Bridgewater is an odd gun.  A bit odd in its way of operation.  One of those things that somehow missed its intended market.  Recently I rescued a very nice AyA #4 for myself and I bought a Laurona 20G boxlock ejector for one of the son in laws. It is a very sad situation that guns like these are being scrapped or exported.  There wasn't anything wrong with either of these guns and I dusted the first pair with the #4 which was a good start. The son in law took the Laurona to a pheasant and partridge driven day.  He was the only gun that was a sbs.  He had a super day and the other guns complimented him on his shooting. It's such a shame and it's part of out engineering history that is being discarded. Its about the same as scrapping all of the old steam engines etc etc. Yep I've got the Browning and the Berretas and I shoot well with them but it's more fun to salvage something condemned to the scrap bin.

Edit.  What I find exasperating is that people like our so called shooting organisations don't stand up for the general sport shooter. What they don't seem to get is that it's getting towards the point of collapse  what with all of the new hoops to jump through and the massive cost jumps in everything.  We are all getting older and there aren't many youngsters coming through. 

Edited February 4 by Minky

[ryle]

"More fun to salvage something condemned to the scrap bin"

My exact thoughts. I also have modern guns for clays and game but do like the good old knockabout gun. When I hear of them piled up and ready for scrapping is when I think "Well, at least let me root through for some interesting pieces". I suppose im a bit of a skip rat ha ha

A trip to Holts may be worth the several hours driving then.

I'm going to try the advice of chatting to a local gunsmith or two, thats a good one. I wonder if the police have a stack for salvage?, although I bet its not worth thier time allowing someone in

[Minky]

19 minutes ago, ryle said:

 I wonder if the police have a stack for salvage?, although I bet its not worth thier time allowing someone in

There's no way that they would entertain the idea of you even looking at guns.  They wouldn't even talk to you about anything like this.  It is their mission to reduce guns in public ownership to ZERO.  NOT TO START HANDING GUNS OUT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.  

[ryle]

True, ah well... Still a waste :p

 

[marsh man]

49 minutes ago, Minky said:

I have just done this.  A few months ago I bought two single barrel 12g for £13 yep 13.  You buy one yer get one free from holts. one was an AyA cosmos that looked as if it had just been carried over someones arm and the other one was a Bridgwater arms sb 12G. Neither of them are financially great value but they are what they are and both are in like new condition.  The Bridgewater is an odd gun.  A bit odd in its way of operation.  One of those things that somehow missed its intended market.  Recently I rescued a very nice AyA #4 for myself and I bought a Laurona 20G boxlock ejector for one of the son in laws. It is a very sad situation that guns like these are being scrapped or exported.  There wasn't anything wrong with either of these guns and I dusted the first pair with the #4 which was a good start. The son in law took the Laurona to a pheasant and partridge driven day.  He was the only gun that was a sbs.  He had a super day and the other guns complimented him on his shooting. It's such a shame and it's part of out engineering history that is being discarded. Its about the same as scrapping all of the old steam engines etc etc. Yep I've got the Browning and the Berretas and I shoot well with them but it's more fun to salvage something condemned to the scrap bin.

Edit.  What I find exasperating is that people like our so called shooting organisations don't stand up for the general sport shooter. What they don't seem to get is that it's getting towards the point of collapse  what with all of the new hoops to jump through and the massive cost jumps in everything.  We are all getting older and there aren't many youngsters coming through. 

This must be going back a good 30 odd years ago , I went to John Bidwell's clay ground down in Suffolk with a small group of clay shooters from work , at the time I had a nice Webley and Scott side x side , I held my own and done as well if not better than the serious clay shooters , when we went in the clubhouse at the end for a cup of tea they were keen to see my gun as some of them had never seen a side by side let alone handle one, that was when s x s were still popular , I have never had anything else and will end my days with one , hopefully while using it  

[Velocette]

Delighted to hear that you are enjoying keeping these old guns going. It may mean little in the great scheme of things but the satisfaction of re-commissioning an older machine, whatever it is, is unbeatable. These things were made to use, then repair ,then use again. Keep the skills alive!!

[enfieldspares]

3 hours ago, ryle said:

Upon reading some doom and gloom (but totally understandable) comments about gunsmiths 'cutting up old guns by the bucket load' and 'old guns that shops can't even give away', my question is.... is it possible to rescue some of these old girls? 

For example, im always on the lookout for an old side by side in left hand, or something old to experiment with bending the stock on that would otherwise be scrapped. It'd be nice to have a rummage around in one of these 'scrap piles' depending on where they may be.

The older I get, the more I like old stuff ha ha

I am happy to give, free, this gun to anyone that wants it.

It is a 65mm chamber, 30" barrel Belgian non-ejector in 12 bore. It was my "wet weather" gun but in fact didn't get used as such as the syndicate I was in  at the time didn't shoot if the weather was so very wet that you'd need a "wet weather" gun. The gun is slightly loose on the face so at some time would need that attending to. 

Here are some pictures. Barrels are in good order. The woodwork is pleasing to the eye and it is a nice traditional side by side gun. Choke is 1/2 and 1/2. The triggers and stock are for a right handed shot. Length of pull I will measure tomorrow.

I am near J21 of the M1.

Edited February 4 by enfieldspares

[Minky]

I found it a very sad thing to be confronted with a large stack of guns which at some time had been someones pride and joy but all now headed for the bin.  No different to going to a dogs home and you can only take one home and the rest that you leave behind are going for the chop.  When you handle guns it's a bit like dealing with different people.  Some you like and some you don't.  I was given 4 no.4s to look at and I chose the first one that I was given. BUT what about the ones that were left behind in the pile. This is where the shooting orgs are falling by the wayside.  There's very few people coming into the sport and all of us are getting older and fewer.  Still one day they will regret this when they get their p45s because there are no members left.

I'll post a picture of the # 4

[Minky]

21 hours ago, enfieldspares said:

I am happy to give, free, this gun to anyone that wants it.

It is a 65mm chamber, 30" barrel Belgian non-ejector in 12 bore. It was my "wet weather" gun but in fact didn't get used as such as the syndicate I was in  at the time didn't shoot if the weather was so very wet that you'd need a "wet weather" gun. The gun is slightly loose on the face so at some time would need that attending to. 

Here are some pictures. Barrels are in good order. The woodwork is pleasing to the eye and it is a nice traditional side by side gun. Choke is 1/2 and 1/2. The triggers and stock are for a right handed shot. Length of pull I will measure tomorrow.

I am near J21 of the M1.

When i was a young bloke that wanted a gun it was classed as a tool to do a job. Nowadays the few people entering the sport seèm to buy stuff as a status symbol.  These people dont seem to stay in the sport very long and You get guns that are for sale that haven't done anything.   If you put the tags back on them you would think that it was brand new. 

Edit.  I read somewhere that Holts are now being somewhat selective and not admitting anything old // single barrel because they just don't sell.

Edited Wednesday at 19:10 by Minky

[enfieldspares]

32 minutes ago, Minky said:

Edit.  I read somewhere that Holts are now being somewhat selective and not admitting anything old // single barrel because they just don't sell.

Not just Holt's. It is pretty much across the board. Which means that you have to be quite firm if disposing of good guns and request that the auction house doen't cherry pick but either accepts all or gets consigned none.

[offtarget]

23 hours ago, enfieldspares said:

I am happy to give, free, this gun to anyone that wants it.

It is a 65mm chamber, 30" barrel Belgian non-ejector in 12 bore. It was my "wet weather" gun but in fact didn't get used as such as the syndicate I was in  at the time didn't shoot if the weather was so very wet that you'd need a "wet weather" gun. The gun is slightly loose on the face so at some time would need that attending to. 

Here are some pictures. Barrels are in good order. The woodwork is pleasing to the eye and it is a nice traditional side by side gun. Choke is 1/2 and 1/2. The triggers and stock are for a right handed shot. Length of pull I will measure tomorrow.

I am near J21 of the M1.

Hey pal, have you managed to measure the Length of Pull? If it's the right size for me I'd be very grateful to be able to take it off you. As a young guy getting more into shooting, I'd love  a gun like this.

[enfieldspares]

Length of pull from front trigger to centre (of the rear of the butt) is near enough a genuine 15". I would need a SGC with a vacant box on your Table 2 and of course it would need to be face-to-face or via an RFD (at your expense).

Edited Wednesday at 23:36 by enfieldspares

[offtarget]

Excellent, that could be perfect. Got the SGC with boxes open, f2f would be great as I'm only up the M1 from you so it would be an easy drive down. Will PM you.

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, It is a shame but i foresee 1000s of decent shotguns going to the scrapper, Even the old English side by side and Hammers which at one time were the cream of Shotgun making

Edited Thursday at 09:20 by oldypigeonpopper

[Minky]

A few pictures of the AyA #4 that I retrieved from the scrap pile headed for the chopper.  This has got to be some sort of crime to scrap stuff like this.  I did chop in an a very clattery AyA in place of this one to keep the guns on ticket the same amount.  I hated to do that but hey Ho.

edit.  I forgot,  the stocks go in the wood burner.

Edited Thursday at 15:02 by Minky

[Feltwad]

8 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, It is a shame but i foresee 1000s of decent shotguns going to the scrapper, Even the old English side by side and Hammers which at one time were the cream of Shotgun making

Most are foreign stuff which was imported into the UK  just after WW11  and downgraded  Birmingham gun trade The proposed lead shot ban   is mostly to blame but it is taken with it  the  Damascus barrel  gun the hammer gun  and the muzzle loader back to the time of the flintlock  these are part of gun  heritage and should be  preserved  by allowing lead shot to be used  in these Damascus  barrel  guns.

What is happening  today  is mostly the attitude of fellow shooter and the shooting organisations who should have been under one  roof decades ago but is now becoming the end of a era  SAD

Feltwad

[Scully]

33 minutes ago, Feltwad said:

Most are foreign stuff which was imported into the UK  just after WW11  and downgraded  Birmingham gun trade The proposed lead shot ban   is mostly to blame but it is taken with it  the  Damascus barrel  gun the hammer gun  and the muzzle loader back to the time of the flintlock  these are part of gun  heritage and should be  preserved  by allowing lead shot to be used  in these Damascus  barrel  guns.

What is happening  today  is mostly the attitude of fellow shooter and the shooting organisations who should have been under one  roof decades ago but is now becoming the end of a era  SAD

Feltwad

At the risk of repeating myself, if your Damascus barrelled gun is capable of shooting lead then it is capable of shooting standard steel. 
You’re correct in one aspect, which is that it is down to the attitude of fellow shooters, especially those who are stuck in their ways and refuse to heed sound advice. 
If you scrap your Damascus barrelled gun as you mentioned doing some time ago, then the only person you’re hurting is you. I don’t get that attitude at all. 🤷‍♂️
Alternatives are available.  

[London Best]

26 minutes ago, Scully said:

At the risk of repeating myself, if your Damascus barrelled gun is capable of shooting lead then it is capable of shooting standard steel. 
You’re correct in one aspect, which is that it is down to the attitude of fellow shooters, especially those who are stuck in their ways and refuse to heed sound advice. 
If you scrap your Damascus barrelled gun as you mentioned doing some time ago, then the only person you’re hurting is you. I don’t get that attitude at all. 🤷‍♂️
Alternatives are available.  

Good post. 
Plus one.

[Minky]

I would have thought that all of these guns would be able to shoot steel.  They are so cheap that so that if the steel shot scratches the bores, so what.  When they get a bit worn which will be a lot of shots scrap it and get another.  In the past people didn't worry about barrels. My grandfather shot nitro grand prix through a barrel which was only black powder proofed when it was new. It was only a cheap Damascus barrelled 16 bore back action hammer where the barrel wall was so thin that the barrel could have been used as a wad cutter.!  Another bloke that I used to shoot with had a Braendlin arms boxlock n/e which had fallen off of the tractor into the finger mower which had pinched into the DAMASCUS barrel and made a hole in it.  YEARS AGO the local garage just put a lump of rod down the barrel and beaten the barrel back out then just braised it up.  My mate used this as a wet gun and it shot very well.  You knew the sound of the gun.

Edited Thursday at 19:25 by Minky

[matone]

Commonsense has departed the building on all fronts of the non toxic dabacle sadly but it is being made into a much greater issue than it should be by people with agendas ! There`s no money to be made out of telling people that their gun will be perfectly useable with alternatives already available, far better to sell them a nice new model with a little stamp on it to make them feel safe & secure !!!!!