I'm looking for information on this firm, and specifically when and where this gun was made, and possibly how many were produced. The gun is a 4 gauge s/b with a jones underlever, weighing 21 1/2 lbs. The barrel is 45" long. The address reads "W. H. Tisdall & Sons Birmingham & Fredericton N.B.". The gun is serial numbered. I collect large bore market guns and am familiar with them, however I have been able to find very little information on this firm or gun. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks,
-Dean

Very little is known about Tisdale. I believe he worked on Whitehall Street in Birmingham. No records survived. While futilely attempting to find information on him I discovered that his two sons emigrated to Canada, one, Charles, b. 1866, later became mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia. The other son continued across the Pacific and found his roots in New Zealand where he established a sporting goods business which continues today. A Tisdale continues to head up that business and I visited with him several years ago and there was no family information surviving about his great grandfather. in fact, he was rather surprised at the little information I had gathered on him. Keep me updated if you find any pertinent data. Evidently, your gun was made after at least one of the sons had emigrated to Canada and established himself in New Brunswick. Interesting.

My Tisdale shotgun is a 12 bore single shot of rather plain construction and damascus barrel.

Oh, here's a tantalizing link for a little more information:

http://yorksunburymuseum.wordpress.com/2...s-in-the-1860s/

Records show that Charles E & H.E.Tisdale worked as Gunsmiths at 412 Cordova Street, Vancouver B.C. 1889-1897.Charles is said to have worked in Vancouver prior to 1889.

The link you posted Joe was very interesting.I did know some of the story regarding C.E.Tisdall(not Tisdale) and his starting in business here and later entering local politics and becoming Mayor.The interesting bit was gleaned from your link regarding W.H.Tisdall being located near and having dealings with W.W.Greener.I have a 10 bore Greener, circa 1897, that has the following on the rib: W.W.Greener "The Trap Gun" 68 Haymarket, London. Made Expressly For C.E.Tisdall, Vancouver. I have seen several guns over the years with this same wording. Some suggested that their gun was his personal property but I believe they were guns ordered from Greener,for sale in his sporting goods business.Your link seems to support this.