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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Muzzle Loading - Military Muskets and Rifles >> Ward & Son Birmingham
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1190477912

Message started by P53enfield on 09/22/07 at 5:18pm

Title: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by P53enfield on 09/22/07 at 5:18pm

Hello,
� What dates did Ward & Son ,Birmingham,produce firearms?I have an Enfield dated 1862 by this firm. Is this the same company which lasted until the 1960's as a shotgun/pistol company?
� �Thanks! :)

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by Bill_Curtis on 09/23/07 at 11:32am

J. Ward & Sons, gun and rifle makers 27/27 Bath St., Snow Hill, 1859-c.1870
Bath St., and 1 St. Mary's Row, c.1874 - 1932, also implement makers from 1883.
2 St. Mary's Row only from 1933-1938.
Warwickshire Gun & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. succeeded to the business at the same address trading as Ward & Sons 1938-1964.

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by P53enfield on 09/24/07 at 4:10pm

Thanks Bill!
Another querry: the bottom of the barrel in addition to WARD,is marked in capital leters: GUN BARREL Co.
Does this indicate that Ward & Son made barrels for sale as well? Or,alternatively,was this barrel purchased from another maker?
The proofs are W&S ,Birmingham mark, 25.
Thank You !

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by Bill_Curtis on 09/26/07 at 9:48am

Yes, Ward & Son were barrel makers and are noted as one of the last companies to be making the long cheap trade Dane Guns and African "Park Palings". Does your Enfield have a lock maker's mark inside the lock plate ?

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by P53enfield on 09/26/07 at 8:51pm

Bill,
�The inside of the lock above the mainspring is marked WARD&S in very small letters.No other marks on the lock at all or other parts inside.Plate itself has TOWER 1862 with the Queen's crown.All bands/screws still exhibit the fitter's mark: \V//.Buttstock has WARDS $ SONS MAKERS BIRMH roundrel stamping and beneath the triggerguard tang is a double W&S B in an oval cartouche.Barrel has W&S in very small letters.No other markings appear on the gun although the metal has 98% finish and the stock is original patinated finish,no wear,few storage/handling bruises only.Bore excellent.
The hammer is unfortunately an incorrect replacement(Indian probably) and I am searching for a decent English replacement one to display better.
�Regards,
Wm. Baldwin :)

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by Bill_Curtis on 09/26/07 at 11:21pm

It looks as if Ward probably were also set up to make locks although there is still the possibility that they outsourced them to the Wolverhamton trade. Did you actually say what sort of Enfield this is ? Is it a standard form of brass mounted 1853 Long Enfield ? If it has a crown without a VR and the date 1862 with TOWER it sounds as if it might be one of those possibly intended for export to America for the Civil War, although not all of them actually got there.

Title: Re: Ward & Son Birmingham
Post by Bill_Curtis on 10/03/07 at 10:35am

I had your note that this was, indeed, a P/53 Rifle-Musket which puts it in the type and style which were exported to the Civil War in America. �However, there is no proof that it actually went there, merely that it may have been made with that in mind. �If it has American acceptance or issue marks then that is an area of knowledge in which I have no expertise.