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Gun Barrel Proof House Banbury Street

  • Thread starter Thread starter harborne
  • Start date Start date
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The Gun Barrel Proof House in Banbury Street off Deritend was built in 1813.
 
I visited the Proof house 4 years ago, and took quite a lot of photos from the museum, but we were specifically asked not to publish them or put them on the internet. There are a few of the outside which I am sure would be OK.
As you approach it , two sets of gates

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From the other end of the yard

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The entrance

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To the end of the yard is the building in which the proofing is done. To the left, in front of it, the isolated building is where the explosive powder is stored

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Thanks Mike. I’m surprised how much there is to the site. Never been there and was only aware of it when I used to do the train journey back and forth to London. Looks interesting. Viv.
 
mw0njm. said:
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Wow, that's interesting, I haven't watched all of it as it's a bit too technical for me!
What's surprised me is that they still do all that testing in there, I've passed by the building but somehow assumed it was a relic of the past.
 
pjmburns said:
I know they will only take group bookings. Names provided in advance for "vetting". No photography allowed.
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what i want to know is do you have a book a group where by you all know each other or can you tag onto a random group of ten which would make it great if only you wanted to go...not sure about that but i would have thought tagging onto a random group is much easier for the single/couple visitors
 
i just contacted them. they said if you want to book a vist for 10 people a group you know is ok email them and they will send you a form to fill in telling you all the info
 
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Astoness said:
what i want to know is do you have a book a group where by you all know each other or can you tag onto a random group of ten which would make it great if only you wanted to go...not sure about that but i would have thought tagging onto a random group is much easier for the single/couple visitors
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just contacted them lyn
 
mw0njm. said:
i just contactected them. they said if you want to book a vist for 10 people a group you know is ok email them and they will send you a form to fill in telling you all the info
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thanks pete i read that...its a shame really as not everyone can find another 9 people to go with them...mike visited in 2018 must ask him as i still think its an odd way and restricted way of being able to visit...i am sure that at the back to backs you have to book into a tour of 5 or 6 visitors they give you a time slot and you are in that group...
 
megga dosh but it payes for the upkeep and the mantainance

Prices. The visit costs £200 including VAT for each group visit of upto 10 people. Payment is required on the day of the visit either in the form of cash or cheque. Card payments are not accepted.
 
mw0njm. said:
megga dosh but it payes for the upkeep and the mantainance

Prices. The visit costs £200 including VAT for each group visit of upto 10 people. Payment is required on the day of the visit either in the form of cash or cheque. Card payments are not accepted.
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thats only £20 each pete...i thought that was reasonable..just spoke to mike and he said it does not matter if you book for 10 people or 1 person the price is still £200 so now i have that sorted i dont think i will be going as a single booking:rolleyes:

lyn
 
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Astoness said:
thanks pete i read that...its a shame really as not everyone can find another 9 people to go with them...mike visited in 2018 must ask him as i still think its an odd way and restricted way of being able to visit...i am sure that at the back to backs you have to book into a tour of 5 or 6 visitors they give you a time slot and you are in that group...
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I suspect it is more to do with the fact the Proof House is still in use so they want to limit visitors.
 

Birmingham Proof House​


Now a Grade II Listed building, the Birmingham Proof House was established by an Act of Parliament at the request and expense of the then prosperous Birmingham Gun Trade.
There's a 200-year-old Birmingham building that is surviving proof of a centuries old trade. It was back in 1689 that Sir Richard Newdigate secured a government contract for Birmingham gunmakers which paved the way for the weapons-making trade to flourish here.
But for over a century all city-made arms had to be sent to London to be proofed in order to test and verify the integrity of arms prior to sale, or inspectors were sent up to the city from the Tower of London to do so in situ.
By 1767 the gun trade was booming in Birmingham. The city boasted 35 gun and pistol makers, eight gun barrel makers and filers, five gun barrel polishers and finishers, 11 gunlock makers, forgers and finishers, and three gun swivel and stock makers.
During the French Revolution, which broke out in 1789, for example it's said Birmingham's gunmakers were responsible for supplying the Government with half a million muskets during a two-year period. It wasn't until 1798 that Birmingham got its first private proof house and others also followed suit.
But on September 29, 1813, the first stone was laid for the city's first public proof house in Banbury Street. The Birmingham Proof House was established by an Act of Parliament at the request and expense of the then prosperous Birmingham Gun Trade, following a potential threat to its business from London gunmakers.
 
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