Thread: Any antique shotgun people in the know around here?

Has crowns with the letters BV bp and NP. Also say Nitro proof?

Looks like damascus steel bbl to me. Dont fire it.

True? Gunsmith said it isn't a damascus. Maybe i need to find a shottie guru

The photo isn't that good but it's not Damascus. Some plain steel barrels were patterned to look like it but they are quite easy to spot. Nitro proof is also a give away. The only uestion really is chamber length.

If bbls are significantly pitted the NP stamp isnt worth a damn.

It definitely has some pitting in it. Gunsmith i showed said it should be ok to shoot light lead loads through. He said nothing heavier than 28gr but i'd def like a second opinion and maybe a valuation of sorts

That gun was made by the Midland Gun Company in Birmingham, a large factory that produced guns in various grades for trade clients with their own names on them. That gun is an example of their plainest d/b hammer gun and would have sold for about 4 Pounds Sterling in 1930. Similar guns were sold in NZ with names like NZ Farmers Co-Op, E Reece & Co, Colonial Ammunition Company, etc. etc. Midland went out of business in the late 1930's. Current NZ value in its present condition is about $100 on a good day. Not very wise to shoot it!

@gundoc cheers for that info. Wall hanger it is. Cheers everyone for your input

Cheers @mimms2 i'll def get a 2nd opinion

My favorite waterfowl shotgun, steel barrels 65mm chambers with 1 oz of bismuth at 1100 fps at about 1/2 of SAMI max pressure. This one happens to be a Husquvarna. If they still lock up tight and aren't pitted too bad it should work fine with low pressure loads. I wouldn't be afraid of a Damascus barreled shotgun if it were in good condition, many fine old English Damascus barreled shotgun go through the proof houses every year and are reproofed for smokeless loads.