Gents, do any of you have some knowledge about Midlands production of doubles..?

Actions, calibres...anything..?

Pondoro:
Good day. I have seen Midland double rifles in .375 flanged and .470. It has been years but I recall seeing a bolstered side frame that seemed to resemble the Osborne style. I recall Birmingham proofs. BUT, I'm doing this from memory while on pain pills.
Cal

I thought they were a retailer.

Agree with Cal re Birmingham Proofs.

505G:
Retailer is correct, I'm sure. That is why the two I recall had the Osborne-style frame.
Cal

The Midland Gun Company (or the "Midland") as it was known in the British gun trade was one of the largest gun and rifle companies in Birmingham and their factor occupied the full block from Bath Street back to Shadwell Street. It is likely that they made more than 50,000 firearms, with a large portion of those guns and rifles made for other firms in London and Birmingham. It is interesting to note that the Midland made best quality London pattern sidelock ejector guns that were the equal to any maker in London(I own an example made about 1913). Additionally the Midland sold action forgings, gun furniture, barrels and about anything the other makers in the gun trade needed to build guns.

The front cover of the Midland's 1936 catalog has a painting of a hunter being charged by an elephant. The hunter has his double rifle (a Midland I am certain) raised to the firing position at the elephant. To the hunters right and left are two natives, each holding a double rifle.

In 1936 the Midland's best quality Anson & Deeley double rifle was listed at 42 pounds sterling cost from their factory--a note states that the dealers in the gun trade sell these rifles ranging from 50 to 100 pounds sterling.

These rifles were available in 4 grades of quality down to 25 pounds sterling in price--which still was a great deal of money for that time. The Midland's double rifles in 1936 were available in: .280,.303,.375,.450,.470,.475 and .500 NE.

Alas, the German bombers were not good to the Midland's factory, but they stayed in business until the Birmingham express road destroyed most of the gun quarter in the 1960's.

Best Regards;
Transvaal

I had a Midland BL AE, bolstered action in .375 Flanged Mag. for several years. Nicely engraved and case hardened. I could be wrong, but by my memory it was London profed. Nice rifle, shot well.

Although the vast majority of guns made by the Birmingham gun makers were proofed at the Birmingham gun barrel proof house, some guns made in Birmingham were proofed at the London proof house (Guardians) at the request of the ultimate seller. Many London gunmakers had all or most of their guns and rifles made in Birmingham with the makers engraving the London name and address of the ultimate seller on the barrels and action. A good example is William Evans who had all of his guns made in Birmingham. Until Holland's had their factory in London built in late 1890's, all of their guns and rifles were built by others--mainly in Birmingham.

Any Anson & Deeley action gun or rifle with a London makers name was made in Birmingham, as by-in-large the London gunmakers (the craftsmen) did not understand completely how to build A&D (boxlock) guns, as they served their apprenticeship building parts of Side Lock Ejectors guns and rifles of the London pattern.

I have in my collection of Birmingham gunmakers notes, catalogs and letters, a letter from Charles Hellis of London placing a order for 40 12 bore boxlock shotguns from William Howell of Birmingham (1938).

Kindest Regards;
Transvaal