Advice on suitable shotgun cartidges for an old midlands hammer gun

[Crowstalker]

Does it rebound after firing so the firing pins are withdrawn from the cases and you can open the gun? If it does that is effectively your half cock, although the hammers are not very far back.

I would get a good smith to look at it as I suspect it should have some form of position where the hammers are held, the chambers are loaded but pins are off the cartridges. I suspect an intercepting sear is probably just gummed with old oil turned to varnish. But I may be wrong.

Yes firing pins are withdrawn after firing and I can open freely after firing.

I think that's the best idea getting sombody to look at it, i wouldn't doubt if something had gummed up inside it, itz probably never been properly serviced in its life.

 

[Heym SR20]

Yes firing pins are withdrawn after firing and I can open freely after firing.

I think that's the best idea getting sombody to look at it, i wouldn't doubt if something had gummed up inside it, itz probably never been properly serviced in its life.

That’s a rebounding lock, and the hammers shouldn’t be able to fall from there. For them to fall, they have to pulled back to cock and then trigger pulled and held so they hit the firing pins - ie as you do when you fire.

If you pass on a shot you should be able to pull back on the hammer release the trigger, ease the hammer forward a touch and then release the trigger and lower it to the rebound position. If you should let the hammer slip it should still stop in the rebound position.

But, only ever do the above with barrels pointing in safe direction. (Not trying teach you to suck eggs, but many novices may well read this).

Having it properly serviced and the crack repaired is a good idea. Most cracks are easy enough to sort with a bit of epoxy and a thin thread rod hidden under a wooden plug to prevent the crack blowing open again.