doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A.J. Aubrey Model 34 for your consideration.

Hello gentlemen. Bought this one recently and I'm rather proud of it. Thought I would share. First the vitals.

The A.J. Aubrey by The Meriden Firearms Co.
Model 34 #1122
30" Damascus Barrels
Aubrey Pop Up Mid Bead

This gun is really in great condition and I am still a little shocked I got it for the price I did, but every dog has his day, no? I believe the finishes to be original based on the condition of the engraving and advice from PeteM. The bores are flawless. There are a couple of light rust marks on the exterior of the bbls where the gun would have been handled (and put away un-oiled) There is a rub mark on the side of the end of one bbl where the gun leaned against something for some time. The finish on the stock is either dirty or has been affected by something. I have not yet tried to clean it. There are several handling/safe marks on the stock, but no major damage.

The pop up bead seems to be stuck. My thought was to put a drop or two of CLP on it and let it sit before trying it again. Thoughts?

Any thoughts on what to clean/treat the stock with? Of course the last thing I want to do it further damage the finish.

Anyhow... time to make with the photos. Enjoy. If anyone has a guess at value I'd be interested in hearing it. PeteM has said there are less than a half dozen guns recorded with numbers lower than this one.

Very nice find!

Where is the crown?? A true Queen of the closet!! Great find.

Shane,

This is the 1st time I am seeing the gun. I believe the stock has been refinished. The butt plate is not original. Having said that, it looks great. I should think it would easily bring $1,200 to $1,500 from the right collector. Heck, I would make the offer myself, except I already own too many Aubrey guns.

Pete

I've never seen a pop-up bead. Nice find.

As PeteM observed, it has a Fyrberg plate. In 1904, Richard Sears bought Andrew Fyrberg & Sons. A.J. Aubrey was named General Manager, and in January of 1905 Sears moved the machinists and machinery to the vacant Malleable Iron Co. building on North Colony St. in Meriden. Aubrey became Vice President and General Manager for the Sears, Roebuck & Company's firearms operation in Meriden and 8 patents were eventually assigned to him.



The Model 34 in the 1908 Sears catalog



PeteM might be able to give the DOM, but it's possible very early guns did not have the Aubrey buttplate



May I add some of your images with an attribution here?
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17474742

ANY 100 year old gun deserves a check and clean by a double gun specialist. You are near Champlin Arms in
Enid
http://www.champlinarms.com/Default.aspx?tabid=28

JJ is already in possession of my other AJ Aubrey 34 12 gauge with 32" heavy (heavy!) bbls... he and George will see this one as well.

Your comments on the butt pad certainly make me wonder. First, I have seen (on your photo site) other Aubreys with this same AF and Co butt plate. Second, on this particular gun, the letter "A-F and Co." have been ground flat leaving the rest of the banner in perfect condition.

I suppose that it's possible that someone picked up a random plate that happened to be made by the company that "became" the Meriden Company and then went to the work to grind the original lettering off the plate..... but that seems a stretch... especially if it happened twice. I suppose it could happen, but it seems more likely that the company recycled parts they already had in house.

Any thoughts regarding that line of thought Pete? Does anyone know the condition of the other early guns that have been located?

And yes, I'd be happy for you to add the photos to your library.

Shane

Pete, thanks for the estimation on value.

Also, do you believe the stock to be refinished because of appearance or because of the buttplate?

Shane

Beautiful Aubrey,
I have a near mint old Single barrel made by A&F and always wondered the history.
Below is the buttplate
[img:left][/img]