Possible barrel makers mark on a Rook & Rabbit rifle

[Barry Gregory 440]

Having examined, and macro photographed, part of the barrel on a recently acquired ex-rock and rabbit rifle, I’ve found a mark stamped on it which might be the initials of either the barrel maker or the rifle maker.

It is believed, though not confirmed, that this rook and rabbit rifle was manufactured in Birmingham in the 1890s or even the 1880s.

I’ve attached a photograph of the stamped

FB50D445-B880-44D0-B10A-6C023F327D51.jpg (239.25 KiB) Viewed 1642 times

mark which looks like the letters ‘A&T’ (although the ‘T’ is not very clearly stamped).

Does anybody recognise the mark?

Any information would be much appreciated.

[John 39]

Extract from our historical database:

Trade: Barrel makers & riflers

Dates: 1862-1920

Notes:

Arthur Adams and Joseph Tait established their business in 1862 at 46 Price Street. The firm moved in 1864 to 1 Price Street, and in 1865 to 1 New Buildings, Price Street.

Up to 1871 they rifled barrels for Alexander Henry. They were not recorded after 1920. Barrels were usually marked A & T.

[Barry Gregory 440]

To: John 39,
Many thanks for the information about the stamped letters ‘A & T’ on the barrel of my ex-rook and rabbit rifle (now a .410 shotgun) for Arthur Adams and Joseph Tait of Birmingham.

I’m gradually building up the history about the gun.

I’ll look them up on the internet and in my reference books for more detail (if it exists).

As you may know Price Street still exist in Birmingham and, from a search on Google, has quite a few gun shops in the immediate vicinity.

Much appreciated.

Best regards

Barry Gregory

[Barry Gregory 440]

I have question about another feint stamped symbol on the underside of the barrel on the same ex-rook and rabbit rifle which is now a .410 shotgun. I think it might be related to it's conversion to a shotgun - it might be the logo of the gunsmith who did the work.

It’s taken me some time to process photographs to render the stamping legible.

I have attached a copy to this post -

5C78833A-4DAA-41DE-8170-9CC364CE9222.jpeg (71.08 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

It appears to be an oval with a deer sitting within it over the capital letters ‘GR’

Does anybody recognise it and know what it means or represents?

As ever your help would be much appreciated.

[John 39]

Possibly George Rooker & Son, 1906, Handsworth, Birmingham.