I have an email out to him now. Thanks Bill
Jon

I got burned on a Malin gun several years ago.They were Spanish guns with fake English proof marks.I think Malin did some jail time in Canada over it.In the late 80s they were very hard to sell.

Sorry to hear that John. All the more reason to evaluate every gun for what it is, not what the name on the side says. (Parkers included) A Malin gun might not be a first choice for an investment piece. As a hunting gun, as long as it goes 'BANG' each time the triggers are pulled, then what more does one need?

My research indicates that while there was some controversy over Malin accepting deposits on guns that where not produced (charges later dropped), he never "did jail time in Canada over it". However, like everything with Malin, the history is shrouded in uncertainty, rumor and conjecture.

It's unfortunate, considering many of his guns are fine examples of craftsmanship - regardless of the controversy surrounding them. Facts show he employed some of the best English craftsman to make them.

The gun I had looked great on the outside.The locks were lower grade Spanish locks that failed within 200 rounds.When it went to the gunsmith,we found that the gun was entirely Spanish and of poor quality.I was told when I bought it that it was completely English,and it had English proofs.I did hear the Malin went to jail in Canada,but that is just rumor I guess.

John, that gives me pause to wonder. Are you saying yours was a sidelock? If I may ask, did you acquire it directly from Malin & Son?

It was a sidelock 20ga.It has been a long time since it happened,but I think it may have come from Ronnie Robert's old shop Carolina Sporting Arms.Just the one gun and I stayed away from them after that.I saw several sidelock guns with the Malin name in the late 1980s and early 1990s at shows.They have gradually disappeared as I have not seen one in years.

Then I would have to agree, it probably was of Spanish origin. Being a fan of Spanish sidelocks (AyA, Arrieta, Grulla are the ones I have first hand experience with), I see a lot of "Spanish" in his sidelocks.

The Malin I reference above is a boxlock. To date, all my research indicates the boxlocks were made by W&C Scott (on their action) for Malin, at their works at Tame Road, Birmingham.

But as I said, everything is shrouded in uncertainty, rumor and conjecture.

At the time there were all sorts of rumors floating around.The bottom line is that the guns were not exactly what they were advertised to be.I think the boxlocks were OK.The gun I had did not come from one of the better Spanish houses.The outside wood finish and engraving were good,but the metal work and interior mechanics were awful.

Refresh my memory, weren't there a lot of quality issues with some of the lesser Spanish guns back in the '80s and '90s?

I've heard that there were problems with heat treating (or lack of) resulting in a lot of soft internal parts.