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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: jce99id on Wednesday 23 February 11 18:11 GMT (UK)

Title: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: jce99id on Wednesday 23 February 11 18:11 GMT (UK)
A number of my family members were pistol filers and related trades in West Bromwich. Does anyone have any information on this trade in West Bromwich, company names, employees etc.

Many thanks
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: t mo on Saturday 26 February 11 19:30 GMT (UK)
hi have a look at this site www.bildargue.jimbo.com/placenames...a-to.../the-gun-quarter/ it should give you a better idea of the gun makers in the midlands
trevor
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: cati on Sunday 27 February 11 10:10 GMT (UK)
There's also some information here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2009/02/18/birmingham_gun_trade_feature.shtml
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: PaulStaffs on Friday 25 March 11 22:17 GMT (UK)
A number of my family members were pistol filers and related trades in West Bromwich. Does anyone have any information on this trade in West Bromwich, company names, employees etc.

I have a few pistol makers and filers in West Bromwich too. Here's some info off the top of my head...

Some of my Holland ancestors were pistol makers/filers at Virgins End, West Bromwich (near the present day hospital) in the mid 1800s. The name Holland appears frequently in the Birmingham gun trade and there is a famous present day firm of Holland & Holland though I don't know if either is in any way related to 'my lot'.

On Yates' 1775 map you can see a track from West Bromwich heath to Lindon (Virgins End) - the western most part of this became Guns Lane (I went to Guns Village school there) and at it's mid-point was the 'Cross Guns' pub.

There were families with the name Cashmore in the trade in the Virgins End area. They were later in the vicinity of Hollyhedge Road - a firearms factory was in existence in that area in the late 1800's (near the Royal Oak pub in Newton Street).

BSA (British small Arms) had a factory near The Hawthorns.

Hopefully some of this will be of general interest,

Paul
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: lulibell on Sunday 10 April 11 14:05 BST (UK)
Hi Paul

I think we share Edward Holland born c. 1801, pistol filer as an ancestor.
His daughter Eliza married Josiah Hall.
I haven't researched the Hollands very much, but will revisit the censuses.
I still have family living very close to West Bromwich.
This is my first post!

 :) Lu
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: PaulStaffs on Sunday 10 April 11 20:58 BST (UK)
Hi Lu

Excellent. The only thing I know about Eliza is that she was christened 10th Feb 1833.

Edward's oldest child John is my g g grandfather - I can tell you quite a bit about his descendants ;)

Eliza's younger sister Ann married into the Udall family, well known in West Brom.

Let me know if you'd like me to send any info (by PM if you prefer).

Best regards

Paul
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: lulibell on Sunday 10 April 11 21:47 BST (UK)
Thanks Paul,

I'd be interested in anything you have.
Josiah and Eliza's family are quite interesting, my mother has inherited photos of her father's cousins who I have researched.
I discovered today that an Edward Holland married Mary Millard at St Mary's Parish Church Handsworth, 28 Dec 1823, this is just over a mile from W. Brom, and a church I know well. John was born or Christened in the following year.
I'd have PMed but I couldn't see what to do!

Good to find another cousin!
Lu
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: jhol66 on Friday 13 July 12 07:49 BST (UK)
Hi Paul,
I think we share Edward Holland 1801-1872, he was my g-g-grandfather, my line comes from his son Joseph Holland 1829-1903. I would be interested in any inforation you have regarding to family as my knowledge is very limited.
Regards,
Jim
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: PaulStaffs on Friday 13 July 12 16:31 BST (UK)
Hi Jim

I'm sending you a PM with my contact details!

Best regards

Paul
Title: Re: Pistol Makers of West Bromwich
Post by: sallyyorks on Saturday 14 July 12 15:26 BST (UK)
Some info and lists here

link for site
Wolverhampton - gunlocks

http://www.wolverhampton-gunlocks.fslife.co.uk/Index.htm