I believe that AmarilloMike is pretty much "on the money". Birmingham-made doubles, esp. those that were made "between the wars" tend to be excellent guns at great prices. (Just try to have a similar gun, made today!)
Condition can be a major factor in these old ladies as too many of them have not led happy lives. If one can find one in good shape then then these guns can give a lot of good service very inexpensively. With proper care, these guns will still be going strong long after we are "no longer interested".
Suggestions:
Before you make a final decision on purchasing one of these guns, it is a good idea to have the thing "looked at" by a COMPETENT gunsmith. Then, after the purchase, have the gunsmith "go through" the gun to make sure that everything is clean and "up to snuff". The latter form of "checkup" should be done every year to five years, depending on how much the gun is used and what conditions it is used under.
Don't "overhoss" your loads. The traditional suggestions for gunweight to shotcharge weight are good guidelines; 6 pound gun for one-ounce loads, 6 3/4 pounds for 1 1/8 ounces, and 7 1/2 pounds for 1 1/4 ounces. In fact, the gun most likely will do best with loads that are a bit on the "light side" (e.g. 7/8 to 1 1/8 ounce loads in 7 1/2 pound guns).
Pattern performance with "modern" light loads can be surprisingly good in these old, tight-bored" guns. These loads can also reduce wear on the "loose nut behind the butt"! This is particularly the case when loads are kept to "moderate" velocity levels of 1050 to no more than 1250 f.p.s..
But, say, you, like me, are a sucker for "ladies with checkered pasts and sad stories". There is very little on these old guns that cannot be fixed. Stocks can be repaired, altered, or replaced. (Old "export" Birmingham guns can have ungodly stock "drops" that can benefit greatly from judicious "bending", for example.) Actions can be tightened up and action parts can be repaired or replaced. Barrels can be cleaned up or even choke tubed or sleeved. Stock and metal finishes can be restored. All that is required is money and a good workman. At the end of the day, though, you will end up with a gun that is truly "yours" at a very reasonable price and with no harm done. The "Lady" might even be grateful!
In previous postings I have gone on at some length about a Skimin and Wood that "followed me home". This "renovated" old (1920s to 1940s) girl is now my primary all-purpose shotgun. Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays are all shot with this gun and, if I ever go hunting, again, I will most likely be humping its eight pounds, two ounces for that, too. I figure that, if I don't "get stupid" and I perform proper maintenance, the gun will outlast me, no matter how many rounds I put through it.
I guess what I am saying is, "Take proper care of your Birmingham gun (make?) and then go out and try to shoot the heck out of it." You might be surprised at how well you do with it. It is even possible that your O/Us might start to feel neglected!
