David Kirkwood born 1840 in England, died 1897, Boston.
He apprenticed for Mortimer and Sons in Edinbugh. David Kirkwood was recorded as working at Court, 3 Whittall Street, Birmingham. Together with Charles Pryse, Birmingham, in 1863 they patented a hinged breech action No. 750.
He immigrated in 1873 from England. When he arrived he worked for American Arms Co. Left them in 1874. He set up his own shop at 24 Elm St in Boston.
He went into business with Henry Mortimer, also from England. The firm was known as Mortimer & Kirkwood. They dissolved the partnership in 1880.
Kirkwood is best known for his Three Barrel gun. Shades of Hollenbeck? He is also supposed to have produced a FW gun, 12ga at 5lbs 2oz and a 20ga at 4.5lbs. It is assumed that all his barrels were imported. Later his sons advertised the barrels were all from Whitworth.
American Patents held by David Kirkwood.
169710 lock with Henry Mortimer
191862
233256
233733
240147
289273
318001
Kirkwood Brothers, David's sons, started in 1888. They were around in the 1920's and perhaps later. In 1913 they announced they were agents for William Cashmore, and stopped making doubles. As late as 1900 they were still making breech loaders.
Pete
