Gunmakers Arms. Bath St.

[Alimichele]

Interesting about the haunting, I never heard about that one. The outlay of the pub as I remember, going into the door on the corner it appeared to be a big room (but then I was a child) and the bar appeared to be a semicircle. Lots of men standing around drinking, it was always very noisy. There was also a small outdoor where I used to go buy crisps or pop. I was frightened going in there on my own (don't know why) guess it was because children were not allowed in pubs. Then there was the smoke room which when the door opened all the smoke came out. This room was always crowded. My mom used to smell of smoke after cleaning in there. The Bull as I can remember also had a bar and the door was always open so you could see the men and women drinking in there, they always waved when I walked past.
I remember my sister and I used to sit out side (when my brother was old enough to drink)and he would buy us a bottle of vimto and a bag of crisps to share. We thought this was a real treat. The outdoor to the Bull was in Price Street,
and every night at 9.30pm my mother and her friend from next door Mrs. Palmer used to go and sit in the out door for a glass of stout and relax after a hard day. The pubs closed at 10pm then. In recent years on nostalgic trips to my home town I have been in the Bull for a meal, but never in the Gunmakers, only just looked in. Also whilst in the area I visited St. Chad's Cathedral, where I was baptised, confirmed and got married. My first child was also baptised there, came specially down from Yorkshire to have this done. Fond memories indeed.

That’s a lovely story, pauljon….happy memories xx

 

[Alimichele]

I have been in the Gun Makers many times on my own with doors locked. In the cellar to hear foot steps in the bar other staff also report similar stories.

Nick ‍.

Ooohhhhh…I bet that‘s him, Nick! The family story was that there was a trapdoor/opening in the floor in the bar area and someone had left it open….he didn’t realise and down he went….he was 50.

 

[pauljon]

I have found some very old photographs that were taken in our yard opposite the Gunmakers Arms. One is of my sister Margaret and myself (I am the one standing). you can see the Gunmakers Arms in the background. The other one is of my mom holding her first grandchild and Margaret looking on. Just look at the rubble that we had to put up, we played on that.
The other two are of myself standing outside our house. We were the only ones with a window box.
Hope this works, not very technical. These are the only photo's I have, I found these when I was looking through my moms effects, many years ago

 

[pauljon]

Whoops, I am the taller one standing my sister is the one in the Church Girls Brigade uniform.
Told you I am not very techincal

 

[Alimichele]

Brilliant photo’s. Love the proper baby bonnet xxx

 

[Nick Phillips]

Ooohhhhh…I bet that‘s him, Nick! The family story was that there was a trapdoor/opening in the floor in the bar area and someone had left it open….he didn’t realise and down he went….he was 50.

I was in the cellar of the Gun Makers last night, looking to see if I could see where the trap door could have been.
But if you look at the steps down to cellar they are old, I'm not saying you are not correct, over the years a lot of changes have been made.

If you look outside you can see where the door was to house next door was which is now apart of the pub now.

If you find any more photos or information would love to see it.

Thanks much

Nick ‍.

 

[Alimichele]

Wow, Nick…..I’d love to go there. The trapdoor might be wrong! I’m relying on the memory of his granddaughter, she’s 85 and I dont think her memory is that good anymore. It could just have been the cellar steps! If I do come across any photos, I will of course post them. This is the only photo I have. William George and his wife, Mary Ann. This would have been taken not long before his death and was outside the Gun Makers apparently.

 

[pauljon]

Like the photograph, trying to see where about it was taken. I remember there were gates in Little Shadwell Street and we sometimes went in there, it was like a yard, this obviously was the back of the pub we used to see the barrels of beer.
I think there were two houses at the side of the pub in Bath Street, one family were called Onions, Rita I think was a little older than me, used to tell me it was pronounced O'nions. Although Bath Street was a long Street, stretching from Loveday Street to Snowhill, we were the only yard which I think had been court 2. In our yard lived the Cunningham family with 6 children, I had 4 siblings and there were The Allen's with 2 children. The only other family lived opposite the church
and there were two children. This house was next to the Acorn Inn which housed men. We were not allowed to go near it.
I've done a lot of research around the area where I grew up and discovered a great deal about the Gun Quarter and how it evolved. Bath Street was a hive of little gun and pistol manufacturers. Many of the Courts housing these little workshops.
Obviously the Gunmakers Arms had many customers.

 

[mikejee]

OIn the 1940s, Frank Onions was the landlord of the pub. Could he be related to the Onions you mention. He seems to have been a bit of a DelBoy character, being convicted of buying dodgy gold in 1943, but then asking the magistrates to give it back to him !!

 

[pauljon]

What an interesting story. I have been in contact with a very old friend of mine and he knew the family better than I did.
Frank Onions and, his wife Cissie, had four children, Rita, Ken, Valerie and another son who he couldn't remember the name of, lived next door to the pub. My friend is a mine of information as he lived in Loveday Street.
I think that the photograph of William and Mary must have been taken in the back yard as there were tables and benches out there for the drinkers. I described the photograph and we both are of the opinion that is in the back yard.
Stirring up forgotten memories of childhood. My grandchildren love to hear my stories.
Thanks to members of this thread for their input.

 

[Alimichele]

I agree, really interesting to hear these old stories. I think you’re right….it was almost certainly in the pub back yard. William looks quite smart there too, with his waistcoat and tie…..I bet he was behind the bar that day!

 

[PaulaArtist]

You can find it here 93 Bath Street, Birmingham on British Listed Buildings.

oh thanks for this info it great to find out about the old pub name.

 

[PaulaArtist]

I have found some very old photographs that were taken in our yard opposite the Gunmakers Arms. One is of my sister Margaret and myself (I am the one standing). you can see the Gunmakers Arms in the background. The other one is of my mom holding her first grandchild and Margaret looking on. Just look at the rubble that we had to put up, we played on that.
The other two are of myself standing outside our house. We were the only ones with a window box.
Hope this works, not very technical. These are the only photo's I have, I found these when I was looking through my moms effects, many years ago

what great photos thanks for sharing these.
Now the car park nice to know your story

 

[PaulaArtist]

OIn the 1940s, Frank Onions was the landlord of the pub. Could he be related to the Onions you mention. He seems to have been a bit of a DelBoy character, being convicted of buying dodgy gold in 1943, but then asking the magistrates to give it back to him !!

View attachment 159291View attachment 159289

thanks nice story

 

[PaulaArtist]

HI Rio

Is this what you are after?The photo was taken some time in 1973 so you must be the one sitting on the step.your parents must be Len and Kath.The chap holding his pint up is my dad he lived in Cliveland st at the time.I also remember two of the barmaids who worked there at the time , Rose and Evelyn. I don't know if you knew this but your dad had a nickname at the pub, he was known as the bus conducter because he was always giving people their ticket he stood no nonsense from anybody.
Photo unfortunately lost
Dave

any chance the photo can be found would love to see it.

 

[Dave Ed]

any chance the photo can be found would love to see it.

Will have a look for photo tomorrow and post when found.
Dave

 

[Dave Ed]

photo missing from post 3.

 

[Green Girl]

Great photo - you can just get a glimpse of the interior. Used to go there as a student in late 1960s

 

[Nick Phillips]

The info attached to your Flickr photo (2nd photo, post #9) is interesting Ell. Didn't realise how old this pub is. And I like the old pre- Gunmakers name "The Pike & Musket". Viv.

Viv, I've spent hours / days trying to find a photo of the pub when it was the "Pike and Musket".

If not do you know when or why the name changed?

Nick Phillips

 

[Nick Phillips]

Nick. I agree that, including the brewery area, the gunmakers area is bigger, but that is separated from the main pub, and doesn't have its own permanent bar area.

Mikejee, just reread your comment regarding floor space. I've drank in both pubs for many years the floor space In the Gunmakers even without the brewery is much larger.

But I still enjoy both pubs for different reasons .

Nick Phillips