In my 1875-1887 Thomas W. Perkes 12 bore, there are clearly identified letters "J.L." on the underside of each barrel. I assume these are the barrel maker initials. Does anyone have a reference to who this might be? The gun is new to me and I am just digging for history.

Jamie, most likely those initials belong to the workman who assembled the barrels, brazed the breech section and lumps, and added the ribs. Not the barrel forger.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks. I guess the same question still stands...the search still is on.

I don't have the list @ my fingertips but search Google Books for >>The Post Office - Kelly's Directory of Birmingham 1878<< and then search >>Rose Brothers<< or Lloyd & Lloyd tube makers. As a catch all, just search >>gunmaker<<. Lots of reading.


Serbus,

Raimey
rse

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Post_office_afterw_Kellys_directory.html?id=S-8NAAAAQAAJ

Here's a start.


Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Sir;

This may be some help to you. Back on 20 August 2008 I had a conversation with Jack Rowe, the late UK gunsmith and I took notes of what he said. He said this about the Lilly family of barrel filers "...Frank Lilly, Harry Lilly and Jack Lilly were 3 generations of barrel filers at Westley Richards..."

These three were barrel filers known to Jack during his life. I suspect that the " JL" on your barrels were the initials of an ancestor of these 3 barrel filers known to Jack Rowe.

During this conversation with Jack Rowe, he further said that " Walter Price was the greatest barrel filler who ever lived, ad he died ages ago in the 1940's or 1950's. Walter Price's son was Stan Price and he was also a barrel filer."

Kindest Regards;

Thank you for the insights. This is great information.

The name is Pierce not Price Stan's son Mark also trained as a barrel filer runs a gun shop in Leominster [ ponounced LEM -STER ] Herefordshire Still does some barrel work but how much now I dont know .

Gunman;

Thank you very much for the correct information of the Pierce family. I will change my notes.

Nigel Brown's Vol 2 (page 274) lists a John Lilly as a barrel maker at the back of 126 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham 1953-1959. Do you know how is this John Lilly related to Frank, Harry and Jack Lilly who worked at Westley Richards, or is he the Jack Lilly who worked at WR, maybe?

Kindest Regards;