How much is my gun worth (OLD!!)

[Bloodstayn]

I have a Birmingham Small Arms company .22 hornet. It has no model number on it, but upon research, I believe it to me the model 12/15. It doesnt have the original rear sight but it has an old J.W. Fecker scope on it. The gun is in nearly mint condition. The scope is old and it is about 18 inches long and about an inch in diameter the whole length. Really wondering what I've got here. Its been in the family forever. The only modification done to it was my uncle or grandfather had a polished piece of a deer antler put on the bottom of the pistol grip. My father gave it to me cause he says he never uses it and if I could afford the .22 hornet ammo, its mine, so of course I took it. I have shot it a bit and it drives tacks works like a champ. Help me out please.

[Pawildman]

Just checked my 24th edition ( a couple of years old ) of the Blue Book of Gun Values, and could find no mention of Birmingham Arms. I checked in the store brand cross-over list, and found nothing there, either. The .22 Hornet has been around since 1930, so the rifle had to be produced sometime from 1930 up. Kind of takes it out of the Antique listings, as I see it. Seems to me I've heard of them somewhere before, though. I have definitely heard of Fecker scopes. I don't have any references to look them up on,perhaps a computer search would help, if you haven't tried it already. Good luck, and let me know, if you would, what you find. I'm curious too.

[Bloodstayn]

I found this website about it: http://rifleman.org.uk/index-45.html

It says that it was the first post war production gun in this category. It also says it is chambered in .22 LR and that is also what is stamped on the gun ".22L"
But it shoots .22 hornet. What does that mean?

[hillbillyhunter1]

But it shoots .22 hornet. What does that mean?

It means you'd better send me that gun, before you hurt yourself

Seriously, that sounds like a gem of a little gun (22 hornet is a great turkey round by the way). those old small bore rifles are all tack drivers as long as you can get one in good condition..

[jcchartboy]

Just for reference....there has been a Birmingham Small Arms company .22 lr on Gunbroker for months....it can not even catch a 300+$ bid. Unless their is some specific reason why the .22 hornet has outstanding collectors value I would guess you would be lucky to get 250-350$ dollars for gun if you needed to sell it. If you were willing to wait months/years perhaps you could do better.

[Bloodstayn]

Could you get me a link to that gunbroker auction, I cant find that gun on there.

[Rebel Hog]

Birmingham Small Arms Company: Information From Answers.com

[Bloodstayn]

I have still had No luck, I tried that link from Rebel Hog and I got a name and email adress of somebody to talk to, but no response. Anybody got any other ideas????

[kelbro]

I have a couple of old obscure guns that have been handed down through the family. Doesn't really matter what they're 'worth', I wouldn't sell them anyway. I do like to shoot them at least once a year for the memories of the previous owner(s).

[jcchartboy]

Blood,

I believe you have a BSA Martini Cadet No 12. (Although it is possible, but rather unlikely,you may have the larger action Peabody-Martini Cadet.)

Over 100,000 of these types of guns were made by BSA alone. They were also made by W.W Greener and Webley and Scott.

The reason you are having difficulty finding info is the fact that most of these converted years ago into a variety of aftermarket calibers. One of the common conversions was the .22 Hornet. More than likely your gun was converted in the 50 or 60's when these actions could be found by the box full for 4-5$ a piece.

LOL.....I am too tired to fill you in on all of the details....So....do this for me. Go to a newstand and pick up this months (Sept/Oct) copy of Rifle Shooter magazine. Flip to page 14 and you will find a five page article about the history of this gun, including info on conversions and its use as a varmint gun....(You owe me one....)

JC