Darlaston's Gun Lock Makers

[Jamys]

Hello All

My g.g.g.gfather was, according to his daughters marriage cert., a Pistol Filer.  His name, George Adams, also appears on a list of Gun Lock Makers and Apprentices.  I have no other infomation on George at all but I believe he was born in Darlaston but have no date.

How old would a lad have to be to be taken on as a apprentice?
How long was the apprenticeship?
Does anyone know anything about the trade in Darlaston?

Regards, Jamys

[KandS]

Hello 
You may find this link of interest to you.

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Darlaston/Growth.htm

regards

S

[Jamys]

Many thanks Kands, I had already come across this website in my search.

Regards, Jamys

[Tricia_2]

As you probably know, Birmingham & the Black Country formed the main centre for the British Gun Industry. There are a number of books on the subject, which might help you.

~Birmingham Gun Trade by David Williams
~English gunmakers: The Birmingham and provincial gun trade in the 18th and 19th century by De Witt & Bailey
~British Gunmakers: Historical Data on the Birmingham, Scottish and Regional Gun Trade in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries by Nigel Brown

I don't think that I've seen the latter.


If you were in Birmingham, and could get a group together, it might be worth visiting the Gun Proof House.

http://www.gunproof.co.uk/

This is interesting as well:

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=50189&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10468

Good luck!

[Jamys]

Hello Tricia

Thanks for the info, I certainly mean to visit the Proof House as soon as I can get back to Brum.

Thanks for your time.

Regards, Jamys