What can you gentlemen tell me about a Linsley & Son, back action with Jones lever?
The only marks on it are:
Birmingham 1813-1904 "v" under cross scepters under crown. Found twice on frame flats.
Same stamp found twice on bottom of each tube.
"13" on each tube.
BP under crown on each tube.
"W.W." on lower rib between other stamps
"LEEDS" on top rib.
No other marks. No serial number.
I will post pics later.
John
After looking at enlarged photos, I see J.H. on tubes next W.W. mark on rib.
The only info IGC has on Linsley:
First name/s: George
Surname: Linsley
First Address: 10 Commercial Street
City/Town: Leeds
County: Yorkshire
Country: United Kingdom
Other Addresses:
14 Lands Lane
89 Albion Street
91 Albion Street
97 Albion Street
137 Albion Street
28 Kirkgate
4 & 6 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate; 55 Tower Street, Harrogate; 53 Tyrrel Street, Bradford; 31 Charles Street, Bradford;
Trade: Gunmaker
Dates: 1870?-date
Notes:
George William Linsley was born in 1850 in Leeds, Yorkshire. He was the son of George Atha Linsley (b.1824 in Holbeck, Yorkshire), a pawnbroker and later a silversmith and jeweller, and his wife Emma (nee Roebuck b.1826 in Leeds). As a pawnbroker George Atha would have dealt to a limited extent in firearms. In the 1851 census George Atha, Emma and George William were recorded living at 7 Coxan's Yard with an apprentice pawnbroker and one servant. The 1861 census records George Atha, Emma and George William living in Lifton Place with two more sons and a daughter, Arthur Roebuck (b.1855), Archibald Douglas (b.1858), Mary Emma (b.1860). Emma's father, Israel Roebuck (b.1785 retired woollen merchant) and George's niece, Fanny Roebuck were also living in the house. One servant was recorded. In the 1871 census George William was recorded as a 21 year old pawnbroker's assistant living and working at 47 Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, London, for W A Chapman, a pawnbroker. Here George would probably have handled more firearms than he or his father would have done in Leeds. Reportedly, George Linsley (George Atha) bought the business of John Proctor Calvert in 1876, and certainly John Proctor Calvert had retired by 1881, but 1876 and the 1881 census descriptions do not quite fit with the 1881 census record which states that George Atha was a 52 year old municipal superintendent at the town hall, and was living at 40 Bagly Road, Leeds, with Emma, George William aged 31 described as a jeweller, and Arthur Roebuck aged 26 described as a clerk working for his father. Archibald Douglas aged 23 was described as a jeweller's stockeeper, Mary Emma aged 21 was a school teacher, Edward Ernest aged 16 and Lucy aged 14 were both scholars. The firm of Linsley Brothers was first recorded in about 1890 at 10 Commercial Street, Leeds. At this time George Atha would have been 66 years old. The brothers claimed establishment in 1780, but this was the date that John Calvert (subsequently John Proctor Calvert) established the business (see John Calvert of Kirkgate, Leeds).
The 1891 census records George William as a gun maker living at 32 Vernon Road, Leeds. He would have bought guns from the Birmingham trade makers. When Linsley Brothers was established it is likely that George William employed a trained gunsmith to run the gun department and carry out repairs. In 1881 George William had married Isabella Agnes (nee Mackie b.1850 in Leeds). His brother Arthur, who was described as an estate agent, was living with him together with his wife Rebecca S and their son Arnold (b.1886), and three brothers-in-law, Alfred C Mackie a 37 year old woollen agent, Henry Mackie, a 32 year old woollen salesman, and Stuart Herbert Mackie, a 29 year old clothing salesman. The family employed a cook and a general servant. George William died on 19 April 1891 leaving an estate valued at £2017.19s.11d. and the business was sold to Stuart Herbert Mackie. As a matter of passing interest, George Atha Linsley died on 20 April 1898 leaving an estate valued at £94.12s.3d. and Arthur Roebuck Linsley died on 18 September 1926 leaving an estate valued at £7293.9s.3d. The 1901 census records Stuart Mackie living at Swiss Villa, Pool, Leeds, with his wife Clara (b.1867 in Leeds) and two daughters, Holly Stuart (b.1897) and Cecily Dunn (b.1900). They employed one servant. Stuart described himself as a gun maker and fishing tackle dealer. In about 1900, Stuart moved the firm to 14 Lands Lane, and soon after he opened a branch at 53 Tyrrel Street, Bradford. In about 1909 the branch in Bradford moved to 31 Charles Street, but it closed in about 1913. At about this time the firm also traded as taxidermists and furriers. The 1911 census records Stuart and Clara staying at Oakdene Orley in Skipton, Yorkshire with the Marshall family. Stuart described himself as a gun maker and purveyor.
In 1919 the firm moved to 89 Albion Street, and in about 1924 to 91 Albion Street. From about 1931, the firm sold lightweight 2 inch chambered 12 bores supplied to them by Skimin & Wood of Birmingham. In about 1933 the firm moved to 97 Albion Street. On 12 July 1937 Stuart died at the Royal Northern Hospital, Upper Holloway, Islington, London. He left a personal estate valued at £3035.15s.5d. The business was continued by his daughter Holly. In 1962 the firm became a limited company, and in 1967 it moved to 137 Albion Street. In 1971 Holly Mackie retired, the company was sold and then moved to 28 Kirkgate. In 1993 Linsley Brothers Ltd closed in Leeds, and moved to 4 & 6 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate. n 1997 they moved to 55 Tower Street, Harrogate.
Internet Gun Club has details of serial numbers and dates. Further information is available from the company at 55 Tower Street, Harrogate, Yorkshire HG1 1HS Tel: 01423 505677 Fax: 01423 563673.
Other:
The firm sold cartridges under their own name, also under the names "Coat of Arms", "Crest" (post 1900), "Ejector", "The Swift", "Nomis", "High Velocity" and "Standard".
Tim
I found thiis old post from '07...but it was Brothers, instead of Sons
cheers
franc
old post
Anyone think the initials JH might denote Belgian tube maker J. Higny?
Cheers,
Raimey
rse
Your gun looks remarkably similar to my Thos. Forsyth hammer gun, with the biggest notable difference being the lever arrangement (side vs. under lever). In fact, aside from the engraving, the locks appear to be identical.
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...8679#Post398679I have had no luck in discovering the provenance of my gun in the two years since I wrote the original post. I hope you have better results.
