doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Wolverhampton Gunlock Makers

While trying to get info on the lockmaker of a William Powell
HG circa 1871 I am currently restoring, my surfing turned up the following website which I thought might be of interest.
http://www.wolverhampton-gunlocks.fslife.co.uk/

The William Powell lock in question. This is a Powell patent lifter HG circa 1871 with what appears to be best quality locks by J.Grainger. There were four J. Graingers in Wolverhampton during this period. On close inspection of both locks it looks like the E was punched with an F tool. Missing, broken, couldn't find it?? Who knows....

Terry, I have here in front of me a rather scarce book called Gun and Gun Part Makers of Staffordshire by M.A.Newland which was privately published in small numbers. He lists seven Graingers with two James' and one John. I'll give you what he has on the James'. John was listed as a Gunmaker who emigrated to Toronto believe it or not. Anyway on to James:

Grainger James. Gunlock maker in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, from 1853 to at least 1856. Maybe the same man as below, or perhaps his father. James Grainger is included in the list of exhibitors at the Great Exhibition held at Crystal Palace, London in 1841. Catalogue Entry No.278 states that J.Grainger of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire exhibited tube and bar action guns and rifle locks.

Grainger James. Gunlock maker at No.31 Upper Vauxhall Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire from 1871 to 1874. May be the same man as listed above, or perhaps his son. Lagopus.....

Hi Lag, thanks for the info. I was surprised at the number of people involved in the manufacture of locks in Wolverhampton.
Obviously a major industry in that area.I have noticed over the years that there was another lock maker by the name of Gardner or Gardiner, that seemed to make very fine locks. Thomas Horsley used a lot of them in his best hammerguns. He's not listed on the website. Do you have any info on him???
Terry

Terry,
I'm collecting information on Powell Number 1 Patent guns.
Can I get more detail on yours? Your "Powells Patent" number should be around 1800. I suspect the gun was made in 1871. I'm interested in barrel length, forend fastener (wedge, I assume), gauge and the "Powells Patent" number.
Steve Helsley

There were several towns that became lock making centers. Darlaston comes to mind. They shared a common history of iron mining and basically ring Birmingham. Many of the lock making families started off as nail makers. I am sure if one digs deep enough, you will that they kept up the lock making trade for generations.

Pete

My goodness, we need to create a lockmaker file on this board and add every bit of useful information we find. And photos of the locks. Wouldn't be long before we'd have a treasure trove of valuable information.

The famous lock and safe producer Chubb, is located near there also.
Look at the innards of a lock mechanism and the similarity to gun mechanisms is clear.
I guess thats why it is called a side/box lock.
regards
Martin

Terry,The largest concentration of gun lock makers was in Wednesbury[One of a cluster of industrial, midland towns known as the the black country.] Wednesbury is about 5 miles S.W. of Wolverhampton.19th century records list in excess of 100 companies located in Wednesbury making gunlocks.
Lock making [all types] was the principal industry in the town, many workers during and after the industrial revolution developed a serious back ailment known as the "Wednesbury Crouch"caused by spending a life time hunched up working on lock making/assembly!
Wednesbury was also athe location of many gun barrel makers during this era.
David Baker published an article on Powells,lifter action in The"Sporting Gun", July 1993, in which he confirms J.Grainger as the maker of the excellent four pin bridle locks. The locks of the gun under review had been modified to rebounding on the principle of Stantons 1867 patent.

Hi Steve, The gun is a best quality 12 ga. with a wedge forend fastener as you suspected.I also date it to approx. 1871. The barrels are 28" and I suspect they have been shortened from 30". Being pre-choke it doesn't affect performance and the gun seems to balance quite well.Mechanically it is excellent.What impressed me also was a lovely stock that measures 14 7/8" to the original steel buttplate.The original owner must have been a big dude for his time. The gun is totally stripped down at present. I will attach a few more pics with the patent data you requested.
Roy, thank you for the info on Wednesbury, very interesting.