Search found 416 matches

by John 39
Sat Sep 10, 2022 11:20 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Database sources - W Baker 10 1/2 Smith Street
Replies: 3
Views: 669

Re: Database sources - W Baker 10 1/2 Smith Street

Looks like your gun is one of those two ! W P Jones was an inventive and very skilled gunmaker, I have a personal connection in that in 1919 my grandfather (of R B Rodda & Co) made and patented the Rotax bullet for smoothbore shotguns subseqently manufactured by Kynoch and sold by Rodda in India...
by John 39
Thu Sep 08, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Database sources - W Baker 10 1/2 Smith Street
Replies: 3
Views: 669

Re: Database sources - W Baker 10 1/2 Smith Street

Hi David, I wrote this about 15 years ago, it is now 9.45 am and I can't remember what I had for breakfast! I do know that it was from a reliable source, and that I had no independent confirmation. Strangely, reflecting on it now, I did not put this in the W P Jones history - I guess this was becaus...
by John 39
Tue Aug 23, 2022 3:53 pm
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Trying to find information about a gunmaker
Replies: 1
Views: 765

Re: Trying to find information about a gunmaker

I haven't come across the name before but it appears to be very common in Suffolk and quite common in the south of England. Henry Blomfield (or Bloomfield) Lankester was born the son of William Lankester on 27 March 1773 possibly in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket. He was apprenticed on 27 March 1798 to ...
by John 39
Mon Aug 22, 2022 11:57 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Richard Bolter - Tooting
Replies: 1
Views: 570

Re: Richard Bolter - Tooting

Thanks to Stephen Grist we have the following: The Wilkes brothers always referred to Dickie (Richard J) Bolter as "Woodward's stocker". He was born into a military family in 1870 and was recorded as a gunmaker's woodworker in the 1901 census. The Wilkes had many stories about him as he wa...
by John 39
Tue Jul 26, 2022 11:34 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Date of Manufacture
Replies: 3
Views: 767

Re: Date of Manufacture

Your gun is the Popular Ejector model probably made about 1926-1930 by C G Bonehill and just retailed by Arthur Allan. To find the history you have to register and pay for membership then click on Historical Database and enter Arthur Allen in the search boxes, don't enter anything else.
by John 39
Tue Jul 26, 2022 11:27 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Inherited D. Williamson shotgun (1906-1911?)
Replies: 3
Views: 809

Re: Inherited D. Williamson shotgun (1906-1911?)

Hi Daniele, No serial numbers have been recorded for this maker. The gun was almost certainly made in Birmingham and it was definitely proved in Birmingham probably between 1906 and 1911. Williamsons were definitely a London gun retailer but they were never in Bridgenorth, or Ludlow. The value of a ...
by John 39
Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:27 pm
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Thumb openers
Replies: 1
Views: 548

Re: Thumb openers

I presume you are talking about Purdey? Have you read the history in our database? It is all in there.
by John 39
Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:21 pm
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: Date of Manufacture
Replies: 3
Views: 767

Re: Date of Manufacture

Very poor info from 1904-1925. Is it Arthur Allan Ltd? What address is on the rib? Have you looked at our history? Is it ejector or hammerless?
by John 39
Fri Jun 17, 2022 2:43 pm
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: London proof marks on a .410 Hammergun
Replies: 3
Views: 867

Re: London proof marks on a .410 Hammergun

Your wife is going to be pleased with that black stain on her carpet. Try Swarfega, I use it on shirts, trousers everything. Dab it on, leave it for an hour or two, wash normally, deny everything. All Cogswell guns were all proved in London. This mark is either the lion rampant over GP mark or the L...
by John 39
Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:23 am
Forum: Shotgun
Topic: R Bolter shotgun
Replies: 3
Views: 892

Re: R Bolter shotgun

He is not listed anywhere and was probably an employee of one of the London companies who made a gun for himself after he retired.