A.J. Aubrey 12 Ga.

FAS · February 19, 2000, 08:55 PM

I have an old A.J. Aubrey 12 ga. dbl. barrel shotgun. Anyone know if it is a shooter or if it has any collector value?

Dave McC · February 20, 2000, 07:40 AM

It may be quite valuable, or it may not, I've not ever heard of that brand. Lots of companies in the last century plus used house names on factory shotgun, like Sears used JC Higgins, and the gun may be something like that, or an obscure British maker.
More,tho,were made in Belgian and other European factories and given names similiar to famous British makers, I've seen guns marked, "W E Richards" to imitate Westley Richards,etc.

BTW, thousands of cheap but workable shotguns were made for every example of a "Best Gun",so the odds are against this being worth the price of a good car, but it does happen.

Whatever you do, have a gunsmith check out the condition of the piece before you fire it. Lots of old shotguns are chambered for shells shorter than those of the present time and firing a modern shell could be hazardous.
Also, bbl steel has come a long way, some of the old stuff was made by welding strips of metal together and the bbl gets weaker at those interfaces over the decades.

Hope this helps...

fal308 · February 20, 2000, 08:51 AM

The Aubrey brand was named after Albert James Aubrey. Mr Aubrey convinced Sears, Roebuck & Co to manufacture in-house firearms instead of contracting out to have them made in the opening years of the 20th century.He was made the head of the plant and designed several shotguns, pistols and .22 cal. rifles.
A 1906 Sears, Roebuck & Co sporting goods catalog features four A.J. Aubrey sidelock double guns, from a very plain model to a well engraved model with prices from $13.85 to $19.35. The highest price gun was stamped on the locks as THE A. J. AUBREY and they offered a 20 year guarantee. This eventually became the Meriden Fire Arms Co. if I read my sources correctly.

Steven Mace · February 20, 2000, 01:17 PM

FAS, I would suggest having your shotgun professionally appraised. Depending on grade & condition the value could range from $100-$1,500. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

------------------
After today, its all historical

FAS · February 21, 2000, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the info.
Frank

TC Walker · January 18, 2010, 07:31 AM

I have an old single shot shotgun it has on it Model 1929 eastern Arms company! And i also have and old .22 semi auto jc higguns Thanks for any help!

Dave McC · January 20, 2010, 05:59 PM

Click on the button marked New Thread at the top of this Forum.

See my PM about your Eastern Arms shotgun.

January 18, 2010, 07:31 AM	#6
TC Walker Junior Member Join Date: January 18, 2010 Posts: 2	How do i post questions for all to read? I have an old single shot shotgun it has on it Model 1929 eastern Arms company! And i also have and old .22 semi auto jc higguns Thanks for any help!

February 19, 2000, 08:55 PM	#1
FAS Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2000 Posts: 3	I have an old A.J. Aubrey 12 ga. dbl. barrel shotgun. Anyone know if it is a shooter or if it has any collector value?

February 20, 2000, 07:40 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	It may be quite valuable, or it may not, I've not ever heard of that brand. Lots of companies in the last century plus used house names on factory shotgun, like Sears used JC Higgins, and the gun may be something like that, or an obscure British maker. More,tho,were made in Belgian and other European factories and given names similiar to famous British makers, I've seen guns marked, "W E Richards" to imitate Westley Richards,etc. BTW, thousands of cheap but workable shotguns were made for every example of a "Best Gun",so the odds are against this being worth the price of a good car, but it does happen. Whatever you do, have a gunsmith check out the condition of the piece before you fire it. Lots of old shotguns are chambered for shells shorter than those of the present time and firing a modern shell could be hazardous. Also, bbl steel has come a long way, some of the old stuff was made by welding strips of metal together and the bbl gets weaker at those interfaces over the decades. Hope this helps...

February 20, 2000, 08:51 AM	#3
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	The Aubrey brand was named after Albert James Aubrey. Mr Aubrey convinced Sears, Roebuck & Co to manufacture in-house firearms instead of contracting out to have them made in the opening years of the 20th century.He was made the head of the plant and designed several shotguns, pistols and .22 cal. rifles. A 1906 Sears, Roebuck & Co sporting goods catalog features four A.J. Aubrey sidelock double guns, from a very plain model to a well engraved model with prices from $13.85 to $19.35. The highest price gun was stamped on the locks as THE A. J. AUBREY and they offered a 20 year guarantee. This eventually became the Meriden Fire Arms Co. if I read my sources correctly.

February 20, 2000, 01:17 PM	#4
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	FAS, I would suggest having your shotgun professionally appraised. Depending on grade & condition the value could range from $100-$1,500. Hope this helps! Steve Mace ------------------ After today, its all historical

February 21, 2000, 09:38 PM	#5
FAS Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2000 Posts: 3	Thanks for the info. Frank

January 20, 2010, 05:59 PM	#7
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Click on the button marked New Thread at the top of this Forum. See my PM about your Eastern Arms shotgun.