Photos of Bagot and Montgomery Street Rifle Factories?

[coggansfield]

Hello, I am currently writing a book for Headstamp Publishing on Lee-Enfield Royal Irish Constabulary pattern carbines, 11,200 of which were in the early 20th century converted to the police pattern from the cavalry-pattern carbines of the day. The large majority of this conversion work was done at the government Royal Small Arms Repair Facility (RSARF), which at the time occupied part of the RSAF Sparkbrook rifle factory on Montgomery Street.

The book will contain a whole chapter on the RSARF. This was housed in the RSAF Sparkbrook establishment from 1894 until the place was sold to BSA in 1906. Before that, from 1841 to 1894, the BRF was situated on a one-acre site on Bagot Street known as "the Tower".

I am looking for old photos of either location, Bagot Street or Montgomery Street. Modern photos of the two places are attached. The one with the two modern high-rises is Bagot Street, while the brick-façaded industrial location is Montgomery Street (in fact, this is what survives of the RSAF Sparkbrook façade). In the case of Bagot Street, any old photos will do — even post-WWI pics, when the place was used for other (non-military) industrial purposes. For example, it was a bicycle factory for a while.

Any photos anyone may have of either establishment, interior or exterior photos, will be much appreciated. Then captions under any photos used will credit you for your generosity. You can reply to me via this forum or PM me for my e-mail address.

Thanks very much,

Douglas P. Munro, Ph.D.

 

[Astoness]

if you put bagot street in the search box we have a thread for it including i think old photos taken before and after ww1..we always advise using the search box because we have thousands of threads on here..hope this is of help

lyn

 

[coggansfield]

Thanks, Lyn. I did check that thread and there were a fair number of pics of the general Bagot Street area, but none of that factory. But you never knw. Perhaps will turn up. Thanks v. much -- Coggo

 

[Astoness]

hi coggo i will of course post any photos i may find of the factory on here...fingers crossed

lyn

 

[mw0njm.]

The Royal Irish Constabulary Carbine - Guns and Ammo

The Royal Irish Constabulary carbine was used by one of the world's most interesting police

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[Janet Hunt]

Hi Douglas

Found this link which has photos of Bagot street housing none of the factory I'm afraid

Ashton, Birmingham

Aston, Birmingham. Gosta Green, Lancaster Street, Staniforth Street, Legge Street, Bagot Street: English urban society during the last 25 years of the 1800’s, underwent some profound changes …

kateddowes.wordpress.com

 

[Janet Hunt]

On this aerial image from 1939 Bagot street is top left of the picture parallel to the canal and Staniforth Street runs diagonally from its left down towards the king Edward Inn on the corner of Staniforth street

EPW053755 - Aerial Photo | Historic England

Explore the aerial photo collection

historicengland.org.uk

 

[Janet Hunt]

Some useful information on this site:

Board of Ordnance, Gun Barrel Proof House, The Tower, Bagot Street, Birmingham

For most of the 18th century, muskets ordered from Birmingham contractors by the Ordnance Board were either proof tested to the Tower standard, within the grounds of the gun maker by an Ordnance Bo…

theironroom.wordpress.com

 

[Janet Hunt]

The Proof House of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Birmingham.​

An engraving of the Proof House of the RSA Factory, Birmingham.All gun barrels had by law to be tested or 'proved', and were then marked. No small arms could be sold if they did not carry the mark of a Proof House. Dated 19th century. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)