Midland gun company

[rookhawk]

Hi, I know this post is old but I have a question or two regarding the Midland Shotguns.
Midland Sidelock-Ejector SxS Shotgun 20 GA
Serial# 92770, is there a way I can find out the history or date of it?

Thank you, and cheers to you guys from the USA.

Unfortunately, the ledgers had no rhyme or reason at Midland. Nigel Brown's 3rd volume says "1925-1954" for the age range of your serial number.

I believe if I had close up photos of the crossed halberd proof marks, I could decipher the exact year it went through the proof house. To get a clear photo, you might need to rub some white chalk on the crossed halberds. I needs to know the letters or numbers in the West, South, and East positions of the Halberds found on the water table or barrel flats.

 

[rookhawk]

The secret decoder ring for date of manufacture (or at least the date it went to proof) for Birmingham guns. Sadly, London didn't adopt the same precision until much more recently, but you're in luck with a Birmingham gun.

 

[zuma1]

I will check once it is on my hands. Thank you so much @rookhawk
And send photos.

 

[zuma1]

Hi, I have the Midland in my possession: I see BV, BP, and NP on the barrel. Please let me know if this means anything. And can you tell the chokes... Thank you!!

 

[rookhawk]

Sleeved in 1992. A heavily worn shotgun that has been reworked many times after a rough life.

 

[zuma1]

Sleeved in 1992. A heavily worn shotgun that has been reworked many times after a rough life.

Wow, ok, that's why all the stamps? Thanks @rookhawk

 

[rookhawk]

Wow, ok, that's why all the stamps? Thanks @rookhawk

Yes. Double the stamps, the original ones and the replacement ones.

BV - Birmingham Viewed (by proof officer)
BP - Birmingham Proved
7/8 - Max load 7/8 ounce
20C - 20 bore chambers, Choked
21 - 21 bore barrels (slightly tighter than the standard measure of 20 bore
T1C with crossed halberds = The year 1992
Sleeved - The barrels were cut from the action and new barrel tubes were braised onto the original lump of the action.
15.9 - Choke in metric
20-65 - 20 gauge shells, 65mm long (2.5” shells only)
NP - Nitro Proofed
BNP - Birmingham Nitro Proofed
950 Bar - Max pressure tested

 

[Brauliogch]

405 Winchester

 

[zuma1]

Yes. Double the stamps, the original ones and the replacement ones.

BV - Birmingham Viewed (by proof officer)
BP - Birmingham Proved
7/8 - Max load 7/8 ounce
20C - 20 bore chambers, Choked
21 - 21 bore barrels (slightly tighter than the standard measure of 20 bore
T1C with crossed halberds = The year 1992
Sleeved - The barrels were cut from the action and new barrel tubes were braised onto the original lump of the action.
15.9 - Choke in metric
20-65 - 20 gauge shells, 65mm long (2.5” shells only)
NP - Nitro Proofed
BNP - Birmingham Nitro Proofed
950 Bar - Max pressure tested

Happy New Year! Thank you for all that information, so was it redone in 92, or is that the original date, 1992? And to confirm, I should not put anything more than 20-gauge 7/8ths in this gun? I fired two shots on a pattern board, and they were on target 50/50.

 

[rookhawk]

Happy New Year! Thank you for all that information, so was it redone in 92, or is that the original date, 1992? And to confirm, I should not put anything more than 20-gauge 7/8ths in this gun? I fired two shots on a pattern board, and they were on target 50/50.

Reworked in 92.

You should aim to shoot LESS than 7/8 ounce loads 3/4 or 13/16 oz. Always 2.5”, never 3”.

 

[zuma1]

Reworked in 92.

You should aim to shoot LESS than 7/8 ounce loads 3/4 or 13/16 oz. Always 2.5”, never 3”.

OK, that's tough, I do not load my own ammo. I assume I run the risk of safety on this with 7/8 or higher? Was planning on using for some fun skeet. I picked it up at an auction for $800 US... That's the risk of an auction site unseen...

 

[rookhawk]

OK, that's tough, I do not load my own ammo. I assume I run the risk of safety on this with 7/8 or higher? Was planning on using for some fun skeet. I picked it up at an auction for $800 US... That's the risk of an auction site unseen...

You’ll probably blow your hand off shooing a modern shell in a short chambered, sleeved gun. Don’t do it.

Get rid of the gun if you can’t get 2.5” light loads.

 

[zuma1]

You’ll probably blow your hand off shooing a modern shell in a short chambered, sleeved gun. Don’t do it.

Get rid of the gun if you can’t get 2.5” light loads.

ok thanks

 

[zuma1]

You’ll probably blow your hand off shooing a modern shell in a short chambered, sleeved gun. Don’t do it.

Get rid of the gun if you can’t get 2.5” light loads.

Do you think if I get this ammo, it will be ok, or is there still a fair amount of risk? Thanks

20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case​

20 Gauge - 20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case #BG.20.21/2.LT.7/8.Case

#BG.20.21/2.LT.7/8.Case - 20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case

www.rstshells.com

 

[Aaron N]

I came across this a couple days ago. Funny enough for this thread to pop up this morning.

Midland Gun Co., SXS Double Rifle, Made in Birmingham England, .470 Nitro Express. Ejectors for sale

Midland Gun Co., SXS Double Rifle, Made in Birmingham England, .470 Nitro Express. Ejectors for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[rookhawk]

Do you think if I get this ammo, it will be ok, or is there still a fair amount of risk? Thanks

20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case​

20 Gauge - 20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case #BG.20.21/2.LT.7/8.Case

#BG.20.21/2.LT.7/8.Case - 20 Ga. • 2 1/2" • Falcon• Vel. 1125 • 7/8 oz. Load - Case

www.rstshells.com

That is the correct ammo, at the right pressure and velocity.

 

[zuma1]

That is the correct ammo, at the right pressure and velocity.

TY