doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Milburn and Son info needed

Any information on a London manufacturer Milburn and Son? I can find nothing and have been told it is a Birmingham manufacturer and was manufactured around 1900. I have been considering purchasing this 12 gauge, straight stocked boxlock and was wondering about quality and any other information I can obtain. Thanks.

Tom C
Milburn and Son,5-7 High Cross Street,Brampton,Cumberland[Now known as Cumbria] U.K.
Business listed as Gunmakers.Most likely these people finished Bimingham guns purchased in the white; or sold Birmingham made guns engraved with their name.They are not London gunmakers!
Milburn Sold A named shotgun cartridges,The Noxall & The Rex.
Perhaps Lapogus can provide further information on this business.

W R Milburn & Son were recorded from about 1894 to about 1955. At some time between 1955 and 1966 the firm changed its name to Milburn & Son (Brampton) Ltd. They were not recorded after the mid 1960s.

The firm sold Pegamoid cartridges under their own name and cartridges under the names the "Don", the "Milburn", the "M S B" (standing for Milburn & Son of Brampton), the "Rex" and the "Noxall". Pegamoid were waterproof cartridges.

Pete

This would be a long distance purchase. Without the gun in hand I was hoping to get an idea of quality. This gun is actually listed on the Westley Richards site but they no longer have it. The current owner is asking $3000 for it and will let me have a 3 day inspection period. Were Birmingham made guns usually of good quality?

Usually of EXCELLENT quality. So good in fact that many London firms sold Brummy made guns with their fancy names and posh London address on them. I know, the horror of it all ;-)

And sometimes Birmingham makers put on a London address but where never there.
I have a couple of very nice Bonehills with a London Canon Street, address - Bonehill was never there but Francotte was.
You can read the whole story here > Internet Glunclub > Historical Questions > Bonehill Matthew Eclipse.
Interesting read. --- John

It's a case of the Proof of the Pudding, so to speak. Birmingham made boxlocks can vary in quality and it is the gun you should buy in light of its quality and condition. Milburn would not have made the gun but sourced it from the trade. I have been in Brampton many times which is a very pleasant village. Milburn has long since gone and there are no shops there now trading under that name. I do have quite a few Milburn cartridges in my collection. The village location is on the border of Cumbria and North Yorkshire and close to Northumberland. All good grouse moor areas. I should have thought he would have done a brisk trade in cartridges and guns too to some degree. My best advise is to have a good look at the gun and buy with your gut instinct. Lagopus.....

Gents:

Your advice is on the spot as usual. Thank you.