Here is what IGC has on Theo:
Name Theophilus W Murcott
Other Names Theophilus Murcott & Co
Address1 16 Essex Street, Strand
Address2 68 Haymarket
City/Town London
Country United Kingdom
Trade Gun maker
Dates 1854-1878
Notes
Theophilus Murcott was born in 1816 in Highgate, Birmingham. There were several Murcotts in the gun trade in Birmingham, but Theophilus and his parents do not appear to have been recorded living there. In the 1851 census Theophilus was recorded as an agent living at Bell Green, Lewisham in south London. He was living there with his wife, Mary (b.1815 in Stockland, Devon), their daughter, Elizabeth (b.1846 in London), and Theophilus' father-in-law, Ephraim, who was a retired farmer aged 71 born in Stockland, Devon. Almost certainly, Theophilus had been in London since 1846. At about this time Theophilus acted as agent for Tipping & Lawdon although they had their own London shop. In 1854 Theophilus established his own gunmaking business 16 Essex Street, Strand. By 1861 he was trading at 68 Haymarket as Theophilus Murcott & Co. On 15 August 1861 T Murcott and C Hanson registered patent No. 2042 for a hinged and rising / falling chamber block operated by an under-lever.
In 1866 he changed the name of the business back to Theophilus Murcott. On 15 April 1871 he patented the first successful hammerless gun which became known as "Murcott's Mousetrap" (Patent No. 1003). This was a lever cocking bar action sidelock with the Purdey bolt. Daw had invented a hammerless action in 1862, but it was not popular. Joseph Braddell of Wolverhampton and Joseph Brazier made the locks for the gun. In about 1871 Theophilus was recorded as a gun and action maker at 44 Brearley Street in Birmingham. It is not known when this workshop closed.
In 1878 the business was bought by W W Greener, but in the 1881 census Theophilus, aged 65, described himself as a gun maker (not retired). At the time, he was living at Gothic Cottage, Gold Hawk Road, Hammersmith, London with his wife, Mary.
Tim
