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Charles Reeves, Charlotte Street

Heartland

master brummie
Charles Reeves Junior was both a gun maker and a sword maker at the Toledo Works in Charlotte Street, By 1850 he, Charles Greaves and his father Charles Reeves, had taken over the gun and sword making factory in Charlotte Street formerly occupied by the Sargant family. Reeves supplied the government with arms and made a variety of guns, swords and bayonets. Charles Reeves Jr was made bankrupt in 1869 and the stock sold off.

The rapid decline of his business might deserve some consideration as this was the period of change for guns and rifles. Reeves did supply Breech loading rifles, but with the creation of the BSA were the days of his type of business numbered. ?

Still when the work was there the factory was kept busy.
 

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The Toledo Works was subsequently occupied by a printer, although there was brief time when The Cycle Company had a part to make tricycles and ordinaires.
 
A better resolution picture from the Illustrated Times of June 1862, of the Barrel-boring, straightening, and polishing room.

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Sword-blade, sword-bayonet, and matched grinding mill at the Toledo Works Charlotte Street. Also from the Illustrated Times.

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For anyone interested the Illustrated Times, mentioned above, gives a very long and detailed account of the Toledo Works and work processes of the time.

"I learn that the trade of Mr. Reeves includes almost everything which can in any shape be used for war-like purposes....sixteen hundred dozen (cutlass) are at the present being packed for Africa.”
 
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