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Joined: Mar 2013
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862 |
Here's a fascinating contrast, as far as prices: http://usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=49943This American gun is a very basic Field Grade model. It has the less-expensive fluid steel barrels, rather than Twist or Damascus. I have one just like it. It is worth only a fraction of what those Birmingham guns are. The Birmingham guns are of much higher quality, essentially hand-made guns. You can buy the same gun in the States for less than half of what it's being offered at. The fact that it's priced higher than them down there astounds me. There appear to be plenty of listings of other Vintage guns down there. What is clear to me from reading the descriptions written about them is that sellers often have no idea as to what they're selling. I suspect you got your gun for an unbelievably low price. You're a lucky man.
Last edited by Ken61; 03/16/15 05:45 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15 |
Thanks Ken61, once again very useful information and I am very grateful for your time and effort.
Interesting to not the price differences. I tend to agree with you that alot of folks don't know what they are selling. Many are just "old double shotguns" to most folks.
I am yet to get barrel close ups, but will do so.
I hear you loud and clear on the screw issue and will not be touching them until I am competent to do it myself. My fear would be taking it to a smith who does not really get how it needs to be done. I've only met one or two fellow shooters interested in english guns.
FYI I paid $500 AU for mine. A bit higher than I wanted but am very happy with what it turned out to be.
Will report back with photos.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862 |
Thanks Ken61, once again very useful information and I am very grateful for your time and effort.
Interesting to not the price differences. I tend to agree with you that alot of folks don't know what they are selling. Many are just "old double shotguns" to most folks.
I am yet to get barrel close ups, but will do so.
I hear you loud and clear on the screw issue and will not be touching them until I am competent to do it myself. My fear would be taking it to a smith who does not really get how it needs to be done. I've only met one or two fellow shooters interested in english guns.
FYI I paid $500 AU for mine. A bit higher than I wanted but am very happy with what it turned out to be.
Will report back with photos. You should be extremely happy. In my opinion, you got a great deal! Considering you gun's age, it's in great shape. The action on you gun appears to be identical to one of my early Charles Daly (famous American importer known for quality guns) hammerguns. At about that same time Daly was sourcing parts kits from England, then taking them over to Germany to have the guns assembled and finished before importing them back to America..
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15 |
Very interesting. I will have to check out your gun one day if you have photos.
Interesting that Daly imported kits, exported, then re imported the whole gun. I am assuming this was cheaper to do this way?
From what I know, the US did not manufacture Damascus barrels...I am just an amateur though!
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862 |
Daly was searching for a maker to create what he considered to be a gun tailored for the American sportsman. He tried England, but wasn't happy with'em. He then bought some "parts kits" and took'em to Suhl. He initially had these kits made into guns, (like mine, I have two of them, considered "Early Dalys") but ended up having his guns completely made in Germany. These are the "Prussian Dalys" people refer to, arranged by his agent Heinrich Lindner, usually marked "HAL". There is evidence that Daly also had an association with Heinrich's father Georg, it is possible that it is he who had these early Daly guns made, but they lack the characteristic HAL stamp so it is not completely clear. The early Dalys are still somewhat of a mystery as to who actually made them. The one thing that is fairly certain is the parts were made in England. Daly also reportedly had dealing with Belgium as well, either/or parts and complete guns, but my knowledge is lacking on that subject.
Pattern-welded barrels were actually made in America at one point. Parker, among a few others made them. For Parker it was back in the 1870's, some of their 'Lifter" models had American made barrels. You can find more on this subject on DocDrew's site. The Belgian barrels were too inexpensive for anyone (including, eventually, the English) to compete against. One of DocDrew's documents talks about Belgian labor costing about 11 cents an hour, with American costs being two or three times as much. You also have to admit the Belgians were exceedingly good at it.
Your gun is old enough to possibly have English-made barrels. DocDrew will probably be able to tell from the photos.
Last edited by Ken61; 03/22/15 07:16 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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