Help ID shotgun

[GreyGus]

I picked up this old muzzleloader 15 or 20 years ago to hang above the fireplace.
Since joining this forum it has become more interesting to me, and I thought I would see if I get more information.

The Barrels are just a bit over 29”. Both locks function well, hold on both half cock and full cock. The cones are in good shape, double triggers.

On the barrel rib it is marked, laminated steel, also a small engraving of a hunter firing at a hare.

The left lock has a name that appears to be Edward Middleton. The font is a little difficult to read. Those are the only markings on the exterior of the gun.
On the bottom of the chambers of both barrels, there are two marks that appear to be crosses, and the number 14.

I would appreciate any information about the age of this good, and where it was made as well as the maker. It appears to be in overall good shape and functional. But I am hesitant to fire it until the barrels have been inspected by someone more knowledgeable than me.
thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[ppg1949]

I’m sorry that I can’t help you. But that is a very nice looking original. Thanks for sharing.

 

[GreyGus]

more photos

 

[Sparkitoff]

Edward Middleton is an English company that focused on exporting guns to the USA, Spain, African countries and some other areas. The company is registered from 1840 to 1870, Edward Middleton is not listed as a gunmaker in the registers, nor can I find where he apprenticed or requested freedom. There are many examples of guns with this name for sale now on various platforms. The majority are black-powder, muzzleloading shotguns with Birmingham proofed barrels. On the majority of English guns for the European market, the barrel, stock and action will have the initials of the primary craftsman, but interestingly I don't see that on the photos of the examples for sale. That usually indicates contract work - in other words, the people who worked on the gun were not employed by Edward Middleton company, but rather were independent workers or under contract through their employer. Your gun is a 14 gauge with black powder proof. What's also somewhat unique to Middleton is the barrel lengths. While most makers had a range of barrel lengths within a few inches, Middleton produced guns with barrels as short as 25-inches and as long as 40-inches on a side-by-side. All of the examples show good quality and yours is no exception. Some of the examples have indicators as to who made parts or the parts are in a certain style (Manton for example) indicating who might have been the craftsman. The fact that you have a person and a hare on the gun is also interesting. Guns that stayed in England rarely featured a person, and infrequently featured a hare. Those features were much more common on guns headed to the USA, Germany, Austria, Netherland and France. If someone can check the inside of the barrels and also make sure nothing is loose (rib for example), it can probably be shot with all due precautions. Based on other Middleton examples, the value ranges widely. Most standard featured guns similar to your run $300-$600 and special features (40-in barrels as one) and near perfect condition show for sale up to $1400 - but those have been for sale for a while. That's a nice, attractive gun you have and I hope it is also useful!

 

[Sparkitoff]

I neglected to mention Edward Middleton shows and address on Ashton Road in Birmingham.
He also shows a 3 Fleet Street address where the type of business is listed as "Gun Finisher".

 

[GreyGus]

Thank you for your interesting and informative post