doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com hopkins english muzz loading sxs shotgun

greetings, i have a shotgun i cannot find alot of info on, i have a sxs muzzleloading shotgun marked on the locks, "hopkins" its percussion, bar locks, barrels marked london twist,, underside of barrels has typical birmingham proofs also "BW&S stamped under barrels, one barrel stamped 13 one 14, i shoot this gun regularly, bores are very well preserved, this gun has a long tang, stock is made of beech, this gun has orig ramrod, with a patch puller made of solid brass incorporated into the end of the rod, with a threaded cover, on the ramming end a copper ring is wedged on end of rod, the rod itself i believe to be hickory, and is oil finished , stock is straight gripped, no checkering, there is some floral engraving on locks and tag, if anyone has any info id appreciate it, i can send pics to email, just message me with your email, thanks very much

I haven't heard of Hopkins as a maker. Given the Birmingham proofs and "London Twist" it is very likely that it is a trade gun made for a retailer to some price point. The quality of the gun is pretty closely linked to that original price point. Condition sounds good.

Sorry that I can't be more help than that. Be delighted to see pictures, but I can't say it would get me any further.

nssxsguy
Hopkins T.Gun & Pistol maker,93 Weaman Street,Birmingham-1860
B&W Likely refers to;Barkley and Whateley, gun barrel makers and Mechants of Birmingham.

well thats a start for info, now to find out if he was well known, i was told that the bw&s was b woodward and sons ltd?

its not just B & W, ITS BW & S THATS WHY THE COLLECTOR I SPOKE TO INDICATED TO ME B WOODWARD AND SONS LTD BIRMINGHAM BARREL MAKERS, I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A SXS MARKED ON THE LOCKS WOODWARD AND SON, PLEASE DONT MIND THE CAPS LOCK ITS STUCK, LOL LITTLE FELLA SPILLED COKE ON MY KEYBOARD, LOL

There is a thread from 2/08 which discusses B Woodward from Birmingham and the fact that there is no relation to London maker James Woodward.

Benjamin Woodward and Son 1842-1883@ 10 Whittall Steet,Birmingham.
Listed as gun and pistol makers,"not barrel makers"!Most likely Woodward made the complete gun for Hopkins.Hopkins was listed in trade directories for only the year 1860.It would seem that his business did not survive beyond circa 1860.

this gun survived very well, i use it faithfully, the fit and finish are great, the wood has never been restored, i cleaned the finish it was rather clouded, not very fancy wood, but the fit is unreal, all screws line up perfectly straight, even the butplate which is steel fits perfect, rib is twist as well, also ramrod guides are twist, im considering constructing a wooden case to transport it, like the older english oak cases

if anyone would like to see photos, message me your email ill gladly send pics of it