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Forums10
Topics38,445
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Most Online1,258 Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,266 Likes: 516
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,266 Likes: 516 |
Leighton, I've seen several BLE and BLNE from Fred Williams. They all seemed to be the made to the typical Brummy standard, which of course isnt a bad thing at all. I can't recall seeing a "high" grade gun by this maker. I almost bought a heavy BLNE from Thad Scott, it was a medium grade gun (based on engraving) but it had pitted barrels so I sent it back. Your hammergun looks like a nice waterfowling piece. I really like the buttplate, kinda tells you exactly what you need to be using that old gun for.
Use it in good health.
Dustin
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
I found 2. There may be more.
1 Established in 1873 at 47 1/2 Whittall Street, he moved in about 1877 to 34 Bath Street. In the early 1880s the address was 33-34 Bath Street, and in about 1886 it was 34 Bath Street only. The firm appears to have closed in about 1886.
2 Frederick William Williams established his business in 1881 at 49-50 Weaman Street, Birmingham. Between 1886 and 1890 he moved to 32-33 Weaman Street, which became known as the Birmingham Gun Works. Between about 1913 and 1917 the name of the firm changed to Frederick Williams, and in about 1937 to Frederick Williams (Gunmakers) Ltd. Prior to adopting limited liability, the firm claimed a London address, possibly Frederick Williams of 3 Broad Street Station, Liverpool Street.
The firm closed in 1947.
Pete
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
This is probably the Number 1 reference. It appears to have been made in the early 80's.It has one locking lug instead of two and cylinder bore may denote early also. Thanks for the info.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 11 |
Over the years I have owned several guns engraved, Fredrick Williams, they were as follows: #5552 a 12 G boxlock,Engraved on the rib, Fredr,k Williams, Weaman Street, Birmingham.Both barrels cylinder. #115919 a 12g Bar action Hammer,with Greener cross bolt. Cylinder and f/choke barrels.[Made after 1887]. Engraved on the rib; Fredrick Williams London and Birmingham, England. #114153 a 12G ,B.L.N.E. Steel barrels by B.S.A.Profuse Engraving. Regret address not recorded. The booklet"The gun trade of Birmingham"'published by the Birmingham City Museum, page 21 shows the,"F.Williams Gun Works,Weaman Street,printed from an old advertisement block.The picture depicts;A three storey factory with"F.Williams",in a mantel over the front entrance and on a plaque at the the building roof line ,"American Gun and Cycle Works".This building was still standing in Weaman Street in the 1960,s.[Adjacent to Webley and Scott] The gun illustrated in this post is typical of the F.Williams guns that I have seen.Clearly Mr Williams was proud to announce that he was using the latest machinery to make guns and cycles; likely with the objective of reducing cost. This combination suggests that the date of this illustration was circa 1895.[ie; Fred Greener was in the cycle business at this time].
Roy Hebbes
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86 |
Looks like more common twist barrels ?
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 184
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 184 |
There was a group hosting a Fred Williams Appreciators shoot advertised on this site not too long ago: http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post137549I've come accros several over the years, this one is curently one of my regular shooters.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68 Likes: 7 |
Frederick Williams was an English maker of premium quality side-by-side shotguns with premises in Birmingham and London from 1884 to 1950. In 2008 a cadre of Frederick Williams aficionados has formed in the interest of studying and preserving these outstanding sporting arms. Some of the uninitiated have referred to this maker as Fred K. Williams. This is a misunderstanding based on the fact that some Williams shotguns are marked Fred'k Williams (note the apostrophe). "Fred'k" was, and is, an accepted abbreviation for Frederick. Mr. William's actual middle initial is reported to have been "W."
Some of the finest guns made by Frederick Williams were marketed under the names of prominent London firms. He was a respected source of guns for the trade. Williams made both boxlock and sidelock shotguns, as well as hammerguns. Every Frederick Williams gun which I have seen was of fine quality. I personally own one of the Williams firm's last shotguns proofed at Birmingham in 1950.
J.K.B. von Falkenhorst
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 419
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 419 |
Mark your gun looks a lot like a Thomas wild Austral
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 86 |
Could you post a pic of your Premium gun ?
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