Old Boggy Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 I have recently acquired a nice 16g non ejector by G.Bate of Birmingham. By reference to the address on the rib, namely 132 Steelhouse Lane, this puts the manufacture between 1934 and 1960. However, if possible, I would like to tie this down a bit more accurately and attach a photo of the proof marks on the barrel flats. So if there is anyone who is more familiar with proof marks than myself, I would very much appreciate any further information that can be established. Perhaps Gunman on here may well be able to assist with this and any further information on the makers. I understand that Bate later became Bate & Crosse, but I`m not sure whether they are still trading. Many thanks in advance of any further information given. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob85 Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 Whilst i cant help you.... any chance you could put up a pic of the whole gun? If anything just to satisfy my side by side lust/cravings haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) I had a nice engraved Webley revolver from Bate when they were up on "the Circus" across from West Midlands Police at Lloyd House. There then seems to have been two users of the name. Certainly Conrad Cross was in the early 1990s still the man in charge. Later I don't know. But one Bate was to move from near Lloyd House to inside a shopping parade the North Western Arcade (I think) in Birmingham and the other Bate was in Stafford. I had some .308 Norma Magnum from there that went to an SD Member in Australia. The Stafford Bate closed but maybe just two years ago? https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/11/04/police-fight-outdoor-boozing-at-stafford-micro-pub/ Edited July 16, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 Can't help with the detail, but I can attest to the fact that was the address as I visited back in the late 50s early 60s. First class gunsmiths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rob85 said: Whilst i cant help you.... any chance you could put up a pic of the whole gun? If anything just to satisfy my side by side lust/cravings haha If you care to pm me your email address, I will send some further photos. I have yet to get my head round uploaded photos that don't exceed the maximum allowable without resizing etc. 1 hour ago, enfieldspares said: I had a nice engraved Webley revolver from Bate when they were up on "the Circus" across from West Midlands Police at Lloyd House. There then seems to have been two users of the name. Certainly Conrad Cross was in the early 1990s still the man in charge. Later I don't know. But one Bate was to move from near Lloyd House to inside a shopping parade the North Western Arcade (I think) in Birmingham and the other Bate was in Stafford. I had some .308 Norma Magnum from there that went to an SD Member in Australia. The Stafford Bate closed but maybe just two years ago? https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/11/04/police-fight-outdoor-boozing-at-stafford-micro-pub/ Thanks for that information. 50 minutes ago, Walker570 said: Can't help with the detail, but I can attest to the fact that was the address as I visited back in the late 50s early 60s. First class gunsmiths. I would have liked to have visited that shop. Thanks all for your replies. OB Edited July 16, 2020 by Old Boggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) The date, of proof, on your gun is the letter code in the crossed swords. Edited July 16, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 Conrad was a nice man , I bought a used miroku skeet gun off him in 1973 I could not afford it in one go so he said pay what you can when you can it was great to pick it up on the final payment, it was an hsw for £375 last time I seen him was at Weston park about 3 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 1 hour ago, enfieldspares said: The date, of proof, on your gun is the letter code in the crossed swords. Very useful, thank you. There is an 'S' in the crossed swords, so that means it was proofed between 1937/38, so I'm guessing that the rib was engraved in 1939 (or thereafter) to align with the change of address which commenced in 1939. That certainly narrows it right down to within a very few years. Many thanks for posting. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 It's a pleasure. Maybe you could ask PW Admin to make the image of the marks a "sticky"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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