Pete M.
For the past 40 years that I have attended Ontario Gun shows,during this time I have never seen a gun bearing the name J.P.Moore or Holman!
Records show that Holman was listed in Hamilton directories for the years 1884-1895.
The prime sources of information on Canadian Gun makers/Smiths are the following;
Canadian Gunsmiths 1608-1900 by the late James Gooding.
James was also the Principal publisher of the magazine," Arms Collecting" and the "Canadian Journal Of Arms collecting" ,with locations in Bloomfield, Ontario and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
These magazines were published from 1963-1990. many volumes of these publications contained articles on Canadian
Gunsmiths.
The primary focus of the magazines was on practicing gun makers rather than gun dealers.
Professor Gooding was recognised by the Arms and Armour Of Society of Great Britain in 1992 and was also awarded the Man at Arms cup for his contributions to to the study of arms and armour.
It was a priviledge to have known Jim through participation in The Canadian Guild of Antique Arms Historians.
Perhaps the finest gun made in Canada was a rifle by Philo Soper of London, Ontario.This rifle was presented to H.R.H prince of Wales when on a visit to Canada in 1860. This rifle can be seen in The Royal Collection at Sandringham.
Following the development of the breech loading shotgun, several gunsmiths began importing Birmingham made guns into Canada. These guns were engraved with their name. The names most frequently encountered are;Gurd,Rawbone,Grainger & Marston.With the exception of Rawbone,the guns that I have seen were low grade Birmingham made guns similar to the J.P.Moore gun that is the focus of this article.The vast majority of Canadian made guns are muzzle loaders from the period prior to 1860.
In later years[1909-1921] The Tobin shotgun gun was made in Woodstock ,Ontario. In the years[1978-1984] the much maligned Frank Malin made shotguns in Melbourne,Ontario.

Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 08/30/12 08:26 AM.
Roy Hebbes