I am looking for reliable sources of information on the Midland Gun Co of Birmingham England. New to the Double Gun world and would like to do some research on the double gun I just purchased.
Well for a start if you bought the gun from Pat, it was the gun I sold to him. I've owned it for several years and mechanically it's in tip top shape. It's a Midland "Featherweight" and weighs in right at about six pounds. It was made about 1932 and was fairly unique in that it has a "Churchill" rib on a 28" barrel. Since I've owned it and had it put back on face by Hugh Lomas in Elkart Lake, WI. it's only had 2 1/2" shells put through it. Continue that and it should last your lifetime. I sold the gun once and missed it so much I bought it back. It's spent the latest part of it's life in the grouse woods of Michigan and the quail pastures of W. Texas. Midland made a lot of different shotguns from cheap to treasures. Their top of the line "best" sidelock could stand riht next to the "snooty" guns giving nothing away. I just bought a 16 bore Midland "Zephyr" and it is a beauty.
There is a nice article on Midlands in the Double Gun Journal but I don't remember which issue and my copy is 1400 miles away in my other house. I think one of the two Brit gunmakers in Ontario owned the Midland name and records but they were somehow lost in a fire.
Good luck with your gun. If it was mine, it has been loved.
The Midland Gun Company by David Baker. Double Gun Journal, Summer 2002, starting on page 127.
Here is a brief IGC break down on the history:
Midland Gun Company was established in 1888 at 77 Bath Street, with additional premises in Price Street. The founders of the firm are not known, but their intention was to compete with others, such as BSA, for good quality economically priced machine made guns.
By 1902 the company was owned by H Ludlow England who, in that year, bought Holloway's shareholding in Holloway & Naughton.
The company may have left the Price Street works in 1890 and moved to 81 Bath Street, but in 1900 they were recorded back in Price Street (at No. 81?). These and some subsequent changes of address may reflect changes of the principal offices of the company rather than actual acquisition and disposal of premises.
In 1910 the company was recorded at 77 Bath Street, and by 1930 it had taken over the adjoining property of 76 Bath Street. It seems that by this time the factory was called the "Demon Gun Works"; the company had adopted a naked male demon as its logo (engraved on the butt plate), they applied the name "Demon" to their top grades of guns and cartridges.
At about this time (1930) the company had an office in London, and they sold a wide range of guns, pistols and shooting equipment by British (BSA rifles) and foreign manufacturers. They had a small wholesale export market, and they made components e.g. actions for the trade.
Between 1937 and 1945 the company moved to 74 Whittall Street, but it may have retained the 77 Bath Street premises.
In 1952, the company, then a shadow of its former self, was bought by Parker-Hale. Some reports say that the company traded until the early 1960s, other older reports state that Parker-Hale continued to use the Midland name on its guns up to about 1970.
Most of the Midland stuff I come across is in the mid-to-low grade but they did indeed make some very nice quality 'Demon' grade guns. I have a 12-bore hammer gun by Midland in at the moment.
They make good sound, inexpensive field guns, even in the lower grades, if you can find one in decent condition.
I have a 72 page Midland Gun Company catalogue circa 1890. At that date their address was ;
Midland Gun Company, Demon Works, Bath Street, Birmingham.
At some later date Bath Steet, was crossed out and Vesey Street, was added. The catalogue gives a wonderfull insight into Midlands business. Their lowest cost double sold for 39 shillings [ Less than 2 pounds stirling]. This gun was a 12 G Hammer,30 inch twist barrels, back action locks and top lever opening. It was sold as "The Rabbit Gun"The best gun ever offered at 39 shllings!" By comparison the most expensive gun in the catalogue was a 12,G Boxlock ejector at 20 pounds,this they claimed to be half the cost of the competition.
The also sold Winchester and Stevens rifles , pistols, ammo; and all that pertains to guns and shooting.
In the late 1940 early 1950s Midland still had a business on Bath Street but also had offices on St Marys Row, Birmingham. At that time they were producing a high grade single barrel gun for the African[Colonial] market, the sale of double guns into these markets being illegal.
Sure would like to hear if his new gun is my old gun.
I purchased a Midland boxlock this past year in 12 gauge with 30" bbls, flat-filed rib, Greener cross-bolt that was made in 1930. The gun was unfired when I got it and looked brand new with not a scratch on it. I used it for ducks this past season. The gun is a beauty with 100% cc. It weighs 7.7 lbs and also makes a nice clays gun.
Yes it is. I have been out of touch lately and just getting back to the forum. Have not had a chance to take it out yet but the fit is great and it mounts beautifully. Like I stated I am new to the doubles and have the Midland and a Darne and a lot of space in the gun safe Pat wants to fill.
Thank you. I will see if I can get that back issue or copy it from a friend.
Thank you. Brief but yes a lot of history.
Kevin, sounds like an excellent find. Thank you.