doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Boothroydians... G.W. Bales, Ipswich?

Hi All,

Just acquired a nice old hammergun with the rib and left lock marked "G.W. Bales, Ipswich". I've never heard of him, if anyone with Boothroyd's book might have a look for me. Thanks!

--Jaybird

Fragmentary listing in Boothroyd's "Directory":

Bales, George William, Ipswich, Suffolk

Tavern Street 1838
15 Cornhill 1845-1870
Also archery warehouse.

Thanks!!!

Henry Bales may have been the same person as Henry J Bales who was employed by Forsyth & Co from about 1808, and the same person as Henry Bales recorded in 1811 at 2 Upper James Street, London. He was probably the father of John Bales who appears to have taken over the London business, and almost certainly was the father of George William Bales. In about 1814 Henry Bales was recorded at Cornhill, Ipswich.

Henry Bales may have had a branch in Colchester from about 1825, a gun dated to about 1825 and engraved Henry Bales, Ipswich & Colchester has been seen, but no other record is known to exist.

Henry Bales retired in about 1830, he died in 1835 and G W Bales took over the business. He appears to have moved it to Tavern Street where he was recorded in 1838.

In 1845 the firm moved to 15 Cornhill (where he also traded as an archery warehouse), and they were recorded at 150 High Street, Colchester where he bought the business of Richard Howe. At some time, William J Matt acted as manager of the Colchester shop.

In about 1883 George William Bales retired or died and Frank A Bales took over the Ipswich shop changing the name to his own. In 1897 he sold the business to K D Radcliffe.

There were also Bales in Durban, South Africa, who may have been related.

Pete

Interesting to note that K.D.Radcliffe is still in business at 150 High Street,Colchester! Radcliffe claims to have been established in 1787. For close to 40 years, a 12.G by Radcliffe has been a constant companion in the field. Despite the name this particular gun likely started life at Wright,s of Birmingham,maker of many Churchill box locks.
Returning to Bales, according to the late Howard L.Blackmore, Bailes/Bales are of the same family. William Bailes is credited with inventing soldered double barrels circa 1740. Guns made by Bailes in the 1700,s are noted for their silver mounted Chinoisery decoration. An example of his work c1760 is to be seen in the collection of the Royal Armouries, Tower of London.
Unfortunately I was unable to trace the Bailes/ Bales link to Colchester.

Roy,

Nice. Incredible how some families go for generations in the gun trade. So soldered barrels in 1740... never knew that one.

Pete

In 1979 I corresponded with D.W.Bailey [Co,author of the book "English Gunmakers" and various books on Manton/ Forsythe] regarding makers not included in the first edition of the book which covers makers upto 1870. In particular I was refering to the 1787 founding date claimed by K.D.Radcliffe, and why was it not included in the book? Mr Bailey gave the opinion that the founding date was likely the date of a company acquired by Radcliffe and as such Radcliffe was not eligible for inclusion.Based in your observations, it would appear that there is a strong possibility that the Bailes/Bales founding date is the year claimed by Radcliffe!

P.S. Mr Bailey was in 1979 working on a second edition of the book English Gunmakers, covering the period 1871-1914. Dose anyone know if this book was ever published?

Roy,

I did an author search on Amazon. I do not believe Mr Bailey ever published that second edition.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search...20Witt%20Bailey

Pete

I am fortunate to own a very fine example by G W Bales.This gun is a 12 bore, non-rebounder,circa 1866-70 that has an excellent pair of locks that just ring when cocked.It has the 2nd Patent Purdey thumbhole opener and it is also interesting in that it is an example of Parsons Patent for chopperlump damascus barrels.The last photo shows the Parson trademark, a stonemasons hammer and patent number, and the joint on the lump is just discernible.

Terry, a very fine example of the work of the provincial gunmaker of the Victorian era. You are indeed fortunate to own such a gun.