IGC gives the following info regarding W(illiam) Richards around the time at 61 Oldhall St:

"The 1851 census records Henry as a 29 year old gun maker living at 11 Aston Street, Birmingham, with his wife Hannah (b.1821 in Birmingham) and their children, Jane (b.1842), Susanna (b.1845) and Westley (b.1847). All the children were born in Birmingham which suggests that when William (II) went to Liverpool to open the retail side of the business, Henry remained in Birmingham to run the manufacturing operation. Also recorded living with Henry and Hannah was Henry's younger brother, William Henry, aged 23 and described as a gun maker. William (II) was recorded in 1857 at 51 Oldhall Street.He appears to have retired or died in that year because Henry was recorded 51 Oldhall Street from 1858. An address of 53 Oldhall Street has been seen on a gun bearing the name W Richards so it would appear that he owned or rented both 51 and 53 Old hall Street.

In the 1861 census Henry was recorded living at 61 Old Hall Street with Hannah and their children. Henry and Hannah were probably married in about 1840 because Jane had been born in 1842 and a previously unrecorded daughter, Emily, had been born in 1850. Susannah (b.1845) and Westley (b.1847) were not recorded and both appear to have died. Another son named William had been born in Birmingham in 1853. It would seem that William and Hannah moved to join William (II) in Liverpool between 1853 and 1855 because another daughter living with them in 1861 was Suzanna who was born in 1855 in Liverpool as were two more sons, Henry (b.1857) and Westley (b.1859). The Henry born in 1857 seems to have died because the 1871 census below shows a Henry (Harry) born in 1863/4.

The name "Westley" is frequently found together with the name "Richards", but although a connection is likely with the famous Birmingham firm of Westley Richards none has been found. In the 1871 census Henry and Hannah were recorded living at Brickfield Cottage, Lower Lane, Fazackerley, Liverpool together with their children, William (aged 18), Susanna (aged 16), Westley (aged 10) and Henry (aged 7) were recorded but Emily was not. In about 1878 Henry moved the firm to 27 Old Hall Street."

So the 61 appears to indicate that Henry Richards may have been responsible for this gun, between 1861 and 1871. Brown has no record of 61 in his book. Those dates tie in with the London proof marks.

Tim

Last edited by trw999; 03/23/15 05:42 AM.