Midland Gun Co. 12g Sidelock Ejector best quality
Description:
Midland Gun Company 12 gauge Sidelock Ejector best quality.
Ready for your next wildfowling shoot with this absolutely beautiful Midland Gun Company sidelock ejector, this is a best quality piece at a very affordable price. Founded in 1885 in Birmingham, England in a part of the country known as The Midlands, Midland Gun Co. “have a reputation as a maker of mid-range and utility guns, when in fact many were quite fine pieces. This being the case, Midland guns are often under-estimated and under-priced” (Terry Wieland, Vintage British Shotguns). British shotgun expert Jack Rowe agrees and indicated that “the Midlands…made all grades from the very best grade sidelocks to the cheapest grade of boxlocks.” This gorgeous sidelock reflects the higher end of their attention to detail and quality manufacturing, and is one of their Best Grade models.
This fully functional antique is in superb condition, with the sidelocks being hand-engraved with best bouquet, acanthus, and ornate foliate-scroll engraving throughout the locks and floorplate, trigger guard, toplever, and fences; and the maker’s name “MIDLAND GUN CO.” in a scrolling cartouche on the locks. No fewer than 11 different floral bouquets throughout the locks, fences and floorplate, reflecting a mastery of this type of hand-engraved artwork. Automatic cocking indicator buttons on sidelocks, and automatic safety. The toplever, game rib, and forend tip are all numbered with a “1” inlaid in gold. Matching serial numbers 32xx on the action and barrel flats.
This is a pre-1898 antique as reflected by the original “13/1” (.719) antique annotation on both barrel flats indicating bore measurements when it was originally black powder proof. The barrels themselves also possess the original antique black powder Birmingham proof marks from the late 1880’s / early 1890’s, including the provisional proof mark “GP” under a crown, as well as the original antique Birmingham definitive proof marks of crossed halberds further up the barrel rounds. Original antique load measurements for 2 & ½” chambers reflected in “1 & 1/8” markings on the barrel flats.
Contemporary London proof marks show that it has undergone British Nitro Proof (NP) testing with the London arm dexter in armour holding a scimitar on the barrels and flats, as well as the BV, BP and NP under crowns on the barrel flats, and the BV and GP under crowns on the action flats. These contemporary measurements all affirm standard/modern proof compliance at “3 TONS” pressure. Finally, a German nitro proof eagle on the bottom of the action flats and top of the barrel flats, and “12/70” markings on the barrels, denote an even more recent German nitro reproof. Chambers have been updated during these re-proofing processes to accommodate 2 & ¾” shells, with professional extension to accommodate modern shells and sleeving in a seamless transition at the junction with ornate scrollwork, and highly-engraved barrel ends which complement the fences at the breech. This improvement has increased the safety and function of this gun for the next 150+ years, with current measurements of .729 and .734 for the right and left chambers.
As Terry Wieland highlights in his book “Vintage British Shotguns,” he states “If you buy an English gun…and the proof marks show it has been nitro proofed – that is, proven with smokeless powder – you know it’s safe to shoot with loads of the length and gauge marked.”
Chokes are appx. improved cylinder and full choke. The 28” barrels with brass sight bead have excellent measurements, and come in at 34 thousandth for the right wall thickness, and 30 thousandth for the left wall thickness. The interior of the bores are absolute mirrors; game rib engraving reads “MIDLAND GUN CO. LONDON”. Virtually spotless condition on the interior, with no pitting and minimal powder marks on the breech and face; the barrels are flawless mirrors on the interior.
The highly figured English straight-hand walnut stock has nice checkering throughout the hand and a dark grain which contrasts nicely against the lighter walnut, a brass oval on underside of stock suitable for engraving, a scroll-engraved and gold-inlaid “SAFE” automatic safety mechanism at the hand, and a 14 & 3/4” pull. The barrels lock up tight with absolutely no play in the action by virtue of a treble-grip action-body and concealed third bite. Sharply checkered fore-end wood with engraved fore-end base and tip, gold inlaid “1” at the top of the fore-end, engraved diamond-shaped inlay in the center of the grip, and Anson plunger release. Superb responsiveness & handling with a surprising light weight of only 7 lbs.
Almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 130+ year old antique, other than a couple of very faint handling marks on the stock. Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture. A fine example of the master craftsmanship in UK gun-making. With the growing popularity of wildfowling using classic British shotguns, this is a great combination of beauty and function without breaking the bank. Affordable luxury; ready for your next century of shooting!
This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a US military family stationed in the UK, and ship via Royal Mail or FedEx at an insured and flat rate of $75; usually takes about a week to arrive in the US. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic English shotguns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, British, English, double barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, sidelock, England, English, Britain, British, U.K., United Kingdom.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer:
Midland Gun Co.
Model:
Best Sidelock Ejector
Serial Number:
32xx
Chambers:
2&3/4
Ejectors:
yes
Condition:
excellent
Bore Condition:
mirror
Barrels:
2x
Barrel Type:
sxs
Triggers:
2x
Stock:
English straight-hand
LOP:
14 & 3/4
Rib:
game
Weight:
7 lbs.
Manufacture Date:
late 1880's
Chokes:
fixed
Choke Left:
full
Choke Right:
IC
Engraving:
best
Minimum Wall Thickness Left:
30,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right:
34,000