any in depth look at Braddells out of Belfast

[Rick Riddell 230]

Was curious to see if any indepth look has been done? I know the records were once available, but no contact info these days. Were they a retailer, maker or both and any clue who may have supplied or did they supply to the gun trade?

[John 39]

Hi Rick, They were a retailer buying from all sorts but mainly the Birmingham trade. Years ago, maybe 10, I spoke on the phone to someone there (owner or partner) but can't remember the conversation except that it involved the firm's history. Why no give them a ring?
or if that's inconvenient ask me to. If you are looking for the history of a gun what is it and what's the serial number? John

[Stephen Nash 218]

I have a note to the effect that a fire destroyed the records in 1895, so there is little information, aside from existing guns, before this date.

For interest, I have a 12-bore pinfire by Joseph Braddell & Son, s/n 2500, with bar locks. The rib is inscribed "Joseph Braddell & Son Improved Bar Lock Breech loader 17 Castle Place Belfast". The gun has 30 in. fine damascus barrels, and a Jones-type double grip action with, interestingly, a left-hand opening lever. The bar locks are marked “J. Braddell & Son”. It is a fine quality gun, and there’s nothing on the gun that suggests it was made for them and not by them (though of course anything is possible). I would guess it was made around 1865, from its various features.

[John 39]

I very much doubt if Braddells ever made any guns themselves and bet you any amount the gun has Birmingham proof marks although that proves nothing - because Ireland never had a proof house and all the guns made there (Rigby, Kavanagh but probably no others!) had to be proved in Birmingham.

[Stephen Nash 218]

I very much doubt if Braddells ever made any guns themselves and bet you any amount the gun has Birmingham proof marks although that proves nothing - because Ireland never had a proof house and all the guns made there (Rigby, Kavanagh but probably no others!) had to be proved in Birmingham.

Hi John, the pinfire gun has London proofs, but no other markings other than the rib and lock inscriptions. Perhaps Braddell brought in barrelled actions, or whole guns?

[John 39]

Barrelled actions or complete guns definitely. Guns stating Belfast and London have been seen but no London address has ever been found although they might have had an agent in London coordinating their export business. Your source material is good but details of the firm's history seem to be based on recent hearsay - wrong name for one of the sons, wrong Playfair taking over the firm, and other dates not matching verified information. It is still a nice gun maybe proved in London because it was intended for export.

[Stephen Nash 218]

Barrelled actions or complete guns definitely. Guns stating Belfast and London have been seen but no London address has ever been found although they might have had an agent in London coordinating their export business. Your source material is good but details of the firm's history seem to be based on recent hearsay - wrong name for one of the sons, wrong Playfair taking over the firm, and other dates not matching verified information. It is still a nice gun maybe proved in London because it was intended for export.

More examples of how it is fiendishly difficult to nail down information on the 19th century gun trade! Thanks.

[Trutta]

Thanks guys!! Unfortunately Braddells is no more

[Alan David 60]

The shop is gone but the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland records the records as being in private ownership.
This may include the firearms registers used from 1920 onward to record sales of the guns they retailed, bearing in mind they did not manufacture anything themselves.

Regards

AlanD
Sydney

[Daryl Hallquist 59]

A few years ago a fellow and I were looking at what must have been a post 1911 boxlock from Braddells. He identified some features of the gun that were from Hollis, Bentley, and Playfair, or maybe it was just Bentley and Playfair.