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Westley Richards Gun Manufacturer/Toolmaker.

Virusman26

master brummie
Thanks to dollyferret for the following info from another thread:

Established in 1812.William Westley RichARDS.THE FOUNDER,WAS BORN IN 1788 and he died in1865,he was responsible for a number of inventions connected with the muzzle loader.
Although founded in bham,the firm was not typical of the bham trade,and its premises were in the old high street quite some way away from the gun quarter.
A LONDON RETAIL OUTLET WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815AT 170 NEW bOND sT under the management ofwilliam bishop.
in bham,westley richards,the son of the founder,took over the business fromhis father in 1840 and a further series of inventions did much to influence the development of guns ,rifles and revolvers.
Sporting guns received attention and patents were taken out covering the following features:
1858 drop down barrels
1861 drop down and sliding forward barrels
1862 the famous top lever and dolls head extension
1862 patent rifle sights
1864 top lever design modified to improve the operation
1866 Monkey Tail capping breachloader further improved.
Westley Richards retired in 1872 and that year saw bolt action and sliding breech block designs.
In 1878 his last patent covered the locking system for the drop down barrel gun.

John Deeley took charge,having joined the firm in 1860 ,and between 1873 and 1907 he was partly or wholly responsible for some 17 patents.
One of the most important of these patents,where the firm was concerned,was British Patent No 1756.This was taken out jointly with W Anson in 1875,protecting the famous box lock Anson & Deeley action.
In 1896 the firm outgrew the premises in the High street and moved out to a factory in Bournebrook,on the south side of the city.

In 1946 Captain E.D. Barclay bought the firm from the liquidators and subsidised the gunmaking business with profits made from whale harpoons and toolmaking. Even these efforts did not prove satisfactory and in 1957 he disposed of his shareholding to Walter Clode who is currently Chairman of Westley Richards.

With the wife and baby in the car, I didn't have much time to look around the place. I was quite suprised to see the condition of the building, as it looks quite good. It was only vacated last year, and looks well maintained for the most part.
Ange phoned me after only 30 minutes, as the Police were on the prowl. After our meeting with them in the crocodile works, I'd rather not get aquainted with any more of them, so I made a hasty retreat back to the car.

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Demo vehicles waiting for next months work.
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Company records.
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Thanks for looking :)
 
I do love your photos!! Many thanks for taking the trouble to post them - brilliant!
 
Hello, my previous employment took me into this company only to find two relatives worked there. They did say the company was moving because of expansion of the university, the place was full of history and such craftsmanship, sad to think what they are used for? regards Margaret
 
The picture of the note says it all really. Very sad indeed

Est 1812

holidays for 2008

Now closed

very sad indeed

great pics tho
 
My first job (I started in January 1963 in the middle of that terrible winter) was as a lab-technician at Birmingham University. As I used the No 63 bus I walked down Grange Road every morning and evening, and most mornings there was an old boy from Westley-Richards standing outside smoking his pipe. I got quite pally with him. Never knew his name. He used to tell me about the very distinguished customers who bought their guns.

Across the road was Ariel Motorcycles, another old Brum company that disappeared years ago. I know zip about motor-bikes, but I believe that they were the one British manufacturer who tried to take on the Japanese in terms of style and accessories.

Big Gee
 
Big Gee, the Ariel factory is my next target. The majority of it has been demolished, as it was part owned and used by Boxfoldia, a carton and packaging firm. They moved to Redditch and closed the plant down. It as meant to be used for more student diggs, but it never happened. The building was ised for an art demo a few years back with "Drop beats, not bombs" tagged on the side in 10 foot tall letters. I'm off there next weekend to try my luck, so watch for the photo's. :)
 
Went back today for another look, and here is what I found......

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And the Ariel motorcycle factory looks to be being converted, as they have really set up camp there, even tarmacing in a road and carpark!!!!!

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I can't beleive I missed this thread the photo's are wonderful virusman thanks for sharing them. The last two are treasures!
 
Not heard of a Bournbrook gin factory - was it ever built I wonder ? A very nice design if it was. But I'd be very surprised if it was built given its proximity to the Bournville estate. Viv.
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I think it might actually be GUN.
 
Looking at the photo of the building on the website, it could be mistaken for a school. I love the design. Viv
 
The factory was pulled down in 2009 as part of the construction of the Selly Oak Relief Road.

There is a flickr photo but I have had trouble posting a link - see post below.

Some information and photos here
 
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