spurs.thfc Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Guys Ive just purchased this gun and wondered if any of you have any info. The chap I bought it from was very knowledgable however I wish to seek your opinions too. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 There is no picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 sorry more to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 with a bit of light restoration that will be a very very nice piece................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Good quality engraving & wood ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Fantastic damascus barrels and by the position of the top lever very tight on the face, nice buy well done. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Thanks all, the Damascus is in such good condition, testament to the previous owner, probably the best example ive seen for a gun of this age and the pics really dont do it justice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Can anyone provide any history or info on this gun as there is only a tiny amount about the company online? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Over the years of their exisistence the London Armoury Company had numerous addresses scattered across London. If you can read all or part of the address on the top rib I may be able to tie down the year when it was built, however no record of their serial numbers appears to exist. The proof marks are from the period 1925 - through to 54, however the use of damascus tubes would suggest the gun is somewhat older than this. A photo of the action flats would be interesting to see if it was originally proofed for black powder; the barrel flats do not indicate this. They could have been removed prior to nitro proofing but this would be unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 As a child back in the 70's and early 80's, there was a London Armoury in Commercial Road, just before Stepney East Railway Station, but that disappeared mid 80's, never to reappear. Not sure whether it was just a gun shop or a manufacturer as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thanks for the info, the address is very clear and reads 114 queen victoria street london armoury co ltd. I was told there are date marks of 1896-1904, so really not sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 The London Armoury Co Ltd are shown as being at 114 Queen Victoria St between 1888 till 1893* *Note: Source `British Gunmakers Vol 1 - London by Nigel Brown`. Fatcatsplat is perfectly correct in his recollections as they are listed as being at Commercial Road, London E14 between 1982 - 87. They remained at this address through until 1991 but changed their name to London Armoury Ltd. Trust this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 Just to add that the fact that it has a retaining screw to the top lever screw and also intercepting sears, indicates that it has a bit of quality about it not found in the run of the mill boxlocks. Nice gun, beautiful Damascus barrels, enjoy owning and shooting it with suitable loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 Many thanks for the info and kind comments, its like a jigsaw trying to get the history but im determined!! It doesnt make sense if the company was only at that address between 1888 and 1893, as my date marks are 1896-1904? However after much research Ive found the following info which would hopefully explain the company history and the address narrowing the date made down to between 1896 my date marks & 1902 when the company moved from the address : (highlighted blue) KerrArmourers to the National Rifle Association. Sole Agents for Winchester. The firm may have traded initially as J Kerr, later as James Kerr & Co.They appear to have been established in about 1858 at 54 King William Street when James Kerr patented a 5 shot double action revolver No. 2896 of 17 November. In 1859 a further patent (No. 242 of 26 January) was for a similar revolver.In 1883 the firm moved to 118 Queen Victoria Street, and in 1887 to 114 Queen Victoria Street.From 1895 they traded as London Armoury Co Ltd.London Armoury Company.London Armoury Company appears to have been established in 1856 by Robert Adams and others (probably John and George Deane) to machine-make Adams revolvers at Railway Arches, Henry Street, Bermondsey. Initially, the comapny may have been a partnership. It took over the Deane Adams & Deane partnership's factory at 2 New Weston Street but from 1857 it was recorded as a limited company at Railway Arches, Henry Street, Bermondsey Street.In 1857 the company contracted to make interchangeable pattern 1852 rifles.In 1858 Robert Adams resigned (to establish his own business at 76 King William Street).In 1863 the London Armoury Company moved their offices to 36 King William Street and opened a factory at Victoria Park Mills, Old Ford Road. Robert Adams took over the factory at Railway Arches but two years later in 1865 was declared bankrupt. London Armoury Company took over his interest in John Deane & Son and the factory at Railway Arches.In 1867 the company went into liquidation and the factory at Victoria Park Mills was closed. The successor business, London Armoury, opened a factory at 27 Leman Street. Reportedly, the liquidation was caused by the cessation of orders from Northern states in the American Civil War. They had reached a point where they could supply their own rifles, and the company could not survive on the orders from the Southern states. At this time London Armoury had sub-contracted some revolver making to Pryse & Redman and Calisher & Terry.In 1875 London Armoury was sold to James Kerr & Co (Armourers to the National Rifle Association) and moved to Kerr's premises at 54 King William Street, but they continued to trade as London Armoury.In 1882 the company became sole agents for Winchester, and in 1883 moved to 118 Queen Victoria Street (with James Kerr & Co). In 1887 both businesses moved to 114 Queen Victoria Street and in 1895, whilst James Kerr & Co ceased trading in their own name, London Armoury again became a limited company and traded from that address.In 1902 the company moved to 1 Laurence Pountney Lane. In 1909 there was another move to 31 Bury Street, St James's where in 1913 they became agents for Colts Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.In 1936 the company operated from 10 Ryder Street, St James's, but they had additional premises at 8 Bury Street which was occupied by Stephen Grant & Joseph Lang Ltd (it may be that William Robson had an interest in the business).In 1950 the company moved to 24 Holborn.In 1982 the limited company closed and the business changed it's name back to London Armoury, they moved to 639 Commercial Road.In 1987 the business was transferred to a new limited liability company. They were not recorded after 1991. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted November 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 Jjs dad, heres a pic of action flats, was this ever black powder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spurs.thfc Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Any updates guys jj's dad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainsensible Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 As a child back in the 70's and early 80's, there was a London Armoury in Commercial Road, just before Stepney East Railway Station, but that disappeared mid 80's, never to reappear. Not sure whether it was just a gun shop or a manufacturer as well. Now Limehouse station..... Ahhhhh memories of a shiney 4 inch Smith & Wesson purchased there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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