doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com H. Bissell??

Hugh, thanks for your input! Interesting stuff. Have you any idea who the engraver might be?

I have looked through my books for Ashbury and come up with a Joseph Asbury listed as a barrel maker at 11, Weaman Street, Birmingham. Apparently his barrel machinery was purchased by A.A.Browns.

This is the little 2" Tolley with the JA stamp: Lagopus.....

I have looked through my books for Ashbury and come up with a Joseph Asbury listed as a barrel maker at 11, Weaman Street, Birmingham. Apparently his barrel machinery was purchased by A.A.Browns.

This is the little 2" Tolley with the JA stamp: This petite 12 bore weighs in at 5 pound 2 1/2 ounces. Needs a bit of a clean up. Lagopus.....

Mr. Lomas-

Great description of the process. Thanks.

Where would the "Gun Gaffer" get the order? Did he have a shop? Or was he selling to retailers?

Did these gaffers advertise & sell their gun to the general public?

Thanks again,

OWD

Lagopus, you are correct that it is Joseph Asbury.I had often wondered on the correct name/spelling so called Robin at AA Brown & Sons Alvechurch.However no-one home ( what was I thinking 3pm Christmas eve)Any way I went to the web site of A.A.Brown & Sons Alvechurch knowing that they owned the name and machinery associated with J.A. There the company name is given as Joseph Asbury. I recommend anyone interested in a review of a family run gunmaking business in Birmingham to visit the website and check out :The Firm,
Regarding the engraver I must defer to Roy H on this, I believe he is right in identifying it as the work of Harry Morris.Geoffrey Boothroyd knew Morris well and wrote of him in one of his books, unfortunately I can't reference it at the moment and must away to do some Christmas shopping for the the Missus or I'll be in the doghouse,not a pleasant prospect.
With that I'll leave and wish all of you a Fine festive season.
All the best

A very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

I believe the engraving may well be by Mr. Morris.
Mr. Morris's last apprentice was Brian Wiseman, I will see Brian next week and show him the photographs, he should be able to confirm.
Interestingly, Brian although in his 60's always refers to Harry Morris as Mr.
NEVER by his christian or any other name. Respect Man, respect.

Hugh, wasn't trying to correct you but your reply prompted me to look in Nigel Brown's British Gunmakers and I noticed the Asbury name. I am going to have a look at some of my other guns from that period and see if these initials crop up elswhere.

Harry Moris is mentioned in Boothroyd's 'Shotguns & Gunsmiths'. I looked in Christopher Austyn's 'Gun Engraving' and he omits to mention him. Lagopus.....

Salopian, please pass on my best wishes to the Wiseman family.I remember them as one of the last true Birmingam family of gunmakers. I recall that Brian a superb engraver worked from the top floor of their business when located on Price Street. Prior to its demolition and their relocation to Cannock, I took photographs of their Price Street location, Wisemans have copies of same.

Thanks again to all this has been very informative.

What does the 4 after Birmingham indicate?

The 4 after Birmingham, represents a postal or geographic area within the city of Birmingham.