doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Thoughts on Midland backaction sidelocks?

Here's a listing of a "Midland Boxlock" that looks for all the world like a backaction sidelock, at least superficially similar to those made by W & C Scott for sale under their own name and others. Can anyone shed light on these guns, in terms of build quality, reliability, etc.?

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100869305

Thanks!

Bill

Bill, I'm quite familiar with Midland Gun Co. guns but have never seen a back action sidelock like that with a dipped edge lock plate. Mind you, the other week I came across a double 10 bore that looked nothing like anything described in their old catalogues. They made guns from low priced work tool hammer guns to top grade sidelock ejectors. One thing they had in common was that they were all soundly made when they left the factory. Midland Gun Co. still exists in name but does not make guns. A friend of mine owns the name and recently wrote a book that I had a hand in with research and photographs. I own a number of their guns in my collection. I will post this link http://www.guynsmith.com/product/midland-gun/?from=midlandgun and from that you should be able to scroll down and get the e-mail address of Guy Smith the owner of the name. He may be able to tell you more. The company records as to serial numbers were destroyed during the last war. They made standard catalogue guns but would make anything to order so oddities do turn up and also made guns for the general gun trade. I have examples of their work bearing other 'Makers' names. If you want to contact Guy and have problems I do have another more direct e-mail address for him. I can't advise on price as U.S. prices for English guns are often way in excess of what they would fetch here. Lagopus.....

Definitely a back action sidelock, not a boxlock. Darned good guns.

Thanks, Joe!

Lagopus, I was hoping you'd chime in. Interesting you've not encountered one of these before. I will drop Guy a line. Wish the photos were better!

Am I correct that Midland would have built any gun bearing their name? I know they were a major supplier of guns and parts to the wider trade. I'm tempted to infer they'd have little reason to put their name on another firm's product. On the other hand, what little I've managed to learn about the British gun trade indicates an unfathomably complex web of interactions and relationships among companies large and small.

BW

Looks like J.P. Clabrough to me.

It does indeed look like a J P Clabrough. Shape of lock plate is virtually identical. I have not checked out the exact placement of the pins, but they may have varied a bit between models anyway.

what little I've managed to learn about the British gun trade indicates an unfathomably complex web of interactions and relationships among companies large and small.

BW [/quote]

That has to be the finest description of the trade ever put into words

That has to be the finest description of the trade ever put into words [/quote]

Thanks, Nick! As someone who works with words as (one) part of my profession, I'm gratified by your comment, especially coming from a Briton. Hardly an example of "British understatement," though! Nor an original thought on my part. Just summing up what's been documented by a string of distinguished scholars of "The Trade," none more so than our own Dig Hadoke (Small Bore)

Cheers,

Bill

About 20 years ago I brought over from England a boxlock Midland shotgun. It was an excellent gun, though the metal carving (well beyond engraving) was almost amateurish. Midland guns are one of those great examples of just how nice the Birmingham guns could be. Though Midland is not a no-name, it is not one of the mid- or big names from Birmingham or London. Every Midland I have seen before and since the one I owned was a fine gun made to the highest standards. For a lot less than you could expect to spend on a more recognized name. No idea about their back actions, but it is safe to presume that it will be well made.