Home
Index Search
Handguns
Visual Selection
British
North American
Italian
German
Belguim
French
Spanish
Austrian
Russian
Czechoslovacian
Turkish
South African
Hungarian
Brazilian
Israeli
Competition Firearms
Shotguns
References
Links
Gunsite
SAGA
PAAA
SAAACA
Contact
E-mail me!
The gun is marked “H Arthur Ward London”, but according to Boothroyd’s book “British Gun makers” H Arthur Ward was listed as a Birmingham gunsmith with the following addresses: 14 – 15 Russel Street, 65 Weaman Street, 27 Loveday Street Alpha Works, 99 Snow Hill. Henry Arthur Ward established himself in 1879 as a gun, action and pistol maker at 14 Russell Street, but after this date the firm was recorded as Arthur Henry Ward (presumably Arthur's brother or son). In 1883 the firm acquired the neighbouring property at 15 Russell Street. In about 1890 they named their factory the "Alpha Works" and added St Mary's Square to their address. It may have been at this time the firm opened a shop in Bermondsey, London. In about 1894 the firm moved to Alpha Works, 65 Weaman Street, and by 1901 they had moved again to Alpha Works, 27 Loveday Street. In 1903 the firm became H A Ward and they moved to 99 Snowhill. The firm was last recorded in 1924 as H A Ward & Co. The Ward family research: HENRY WARD First name/s:Henry Surname: Ward Location First Address: 55 Rupert Street City/Town: London Country: United Kingdom Other Addresses: 1 Basinghall Street 66 Coleman Street (2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham and Bath Street) Information Trade: Gunmaker Dates: 1876-1880 Notes: In 1876 H Ward (almost certainly related in some way to the firm of J Ward & Sons of Birmingham) established H Ward & Sons at 55 Rupert Street in London. In 1877 the firm became known as Ward & Sons and moved to 1 Basinghall Street. In 1879 the firm moved to 66 Coleman Street and gave their Birmingham address as 2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham with additional premises in Bath Street. It would appear that they were bought by J Ward & Sons who were at the same address at the time. Although the London shop was not recorded after 1880 it may well have existed for longer. ARTHUR HENRY WARD First name/s:Arthur Henry Surname: Ward First Address: 14 Russell Street City/Town: Birmingham Country: United Kingdom Other Addresses: 14-15 Russell Street Alpha Works, Russell Street, St Mary's Square 65 Weaman Street 27 Loveday Street 99 Snow Hill Information Trade: Gun, action and pistol maker Dates: 1879-1907 Notes: Arthur Henry Ward was recorded in 1879 as a gun, action and pistol maker at 14 Russell Street, in about 1883 he also traded from 15 Russell Street. Between about 1886 and about 1890 he gave his address as Alpha Works, Russell Street, St Mary's Square which was probably 14-15 Russell Square. In about 1894 he moved to 65 Weaman Street, and between about 1897 and 1901 he was trading at 27 Loveday Street. In 1903 he moved to 99 Snow Hill where he was recorded as Henry Arthur Ward. He was not recorded after 1907.. No trace of Henry Arthur Ward or Arthur Henry Ward has been found in the censuses however, a Henry Arthur Ward is listed in Kelly's directory living at The Cedars, Warwick Road in 1880 (referenced to Ward & Sons) and 1888, also 1897, 1899 and 1905. Arthur Henry Ward is listed in Kelly's Directory in 1905 and 1908. HENRY ARTHUR WARD // H A WARD (See Arthur Henry Ward) First name/s:Henry Arthur Surname: Ward First Address: 14 Russell Street City/Town: Birmingham Country: United Kingdom Other Addresses: 14-15 Russell Street Alpha Works, Russell Street, St Mary's Square Alpha Works, 65 Weaman Street Alpha Works, 27 Loveday Street 99 Snowhill Bermondsey, London. Information Trade: Gunmaker Dates: 1879-1924 Notes: Henry Arthur Ward established himself in 1879 as a gun, action and pistol maker at 14 Russell Street, but after this date the firm was recorded as Arthur Henry Ward. In 1883 the firm acquired the neighbouring property at 15 Russell Street. In about 1890 they named their factory the "Alpha Works" and added St Mary's Square to their address. It may have been at this time the firm opened a shop in Bermondsey, London. In about 1894 the firm moved to Alpha Works, 65 Weaman Street, and by 1901 the had moved again to Alpha Works, 27 Loveday Street. In 1903 the firm became H A Ward and they moved to 99 Snowhill. The firm was last recorded in 1924 as H A Ward & Co. J WARD & SONS First name/s: J Surname: Ward & Sons Location First Address: Unknown address City/Town: Birmingham Country: United Kingdom Other Addresses: Central Gun Works, 24-27 Bath Street, Snow Hill Central Gun Works, 2 St Mary's Row and 24-27 Bath Street Central Gun Works, 2 St Mary's Row Information Trade: Gun & rifle makers; gun implement makers Dates: 1824-1966? Notes: The partners in J Ward & Sons were J B Ward and A B Ward. They claimed establishment in 1824 but they were first recorded only in 1859 at 24-27 Bath Street, Snow Hill. In about 1870 the firm acquired additional premises at 2 St Mary's Row which they later named the Central Gun Works). In 1876 H Ward, certainly related in some way to the Ward family of J Ward & Sons of Birmingham, established the firm of H Ward & Sons at 55 Rupert Street in London. This firm became known as Ward & Sons, and in 1879 gave their Birmingham address as 2 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, with additional premises in Bath Street. It would appear that the two firms amalgamated. Although the London shop was not recorded after 1880 it may well have existed for longer. J Ward & Sons described themselves as gun, rifle and pistol makers, but from about 1883 if not earlier, they made gun implements, also letter punches, stamps, stencil plates, door plates and rubber stamps. The firm were contractors to the War Department. On 18 January 1909 J B and A B Ward registered patent No. 1243 for a heel plate safety for hammer guns. On 15 November 1909 J B and A B Ward registered patent No. 26445 for a trigger blocking safety. In about 1910 and 1912 the firm may have had additional premises at 131 Steelhouse Lane, but this has not been confirmed. By this time the firm was owned by A B Ward. From 1933 the firm no longer occupied the Bath Street premises, they operated only from 2 St Mary's Row. In 1938 the firm was bought by Warwickshire Gun & Manufacturing Co Ltd of 255 Hospital Street, Birmingham, but continued to trade as Ward & Sons. In about 1942 the firm acquired the business of Arthur Ilsley & Co (he had worked for Ward & Sons before starting his own business in about 1909). The firm ceased trading in 1964. J Ward & Sons were among the last firms to make flintlock muskets and Long Dane guns for the Africa trade, muzzle-loaders and hammer guns; these were made up to the late 1920s and 1930s. The firm's trade mark was a target. Whistles Henry Arthur Ward was a talented whistle manufacturer of the 19th century who carried over his gunsmith background. He had an early start from his father. His history has been enigmatic and difficult to research because records are duplicated and blurred. Then, when it comes to whistles, because he marked so very few of his whistles with is name or initials, they are difficult to identify. Few advertisements have surfaced. Presented here are records, entries and a timeline gathered from gun sites, literature, business and ancestry records. Henry’s father James Ward established himself as a letter cutter and gun implement maker from at least 1842 at the age of 35, undoubtable having been supporting himself so prior to this date. It would appear that he was not a gunsmith, at least until his sons joined him. In an 1861 census Henry Arthur Ward is described as a letter cutter and gun maker. He was 23 years old at the time and his brother James (Jr.) was working with him along with Albert Thomas. Remarkably records show that James Jr. and Henry were twins, born in 1836. Henry was eventually joined by his son Arthur and George. Although the claimed establishment has been recorded for his father’s shop from 1824, this would have made him 17 years old and is dubious. Central Gun Works, Ward and Sons Gun Makers is recorded in 1859. Ward and Sons was comprised at this time of James Sr. along with James Jr., Henry and Albert. It would appear that James Jr. died in 1908, five years after Henry. Albert is described as a merchant & factor in 1881. In the term Merchant and Factor, the word factor indicates that the Merchant will sell things on commission. They may also agree to sell something at an agreed upon commission before the item is grown or made, insuring that if a product can be produced, it will be sold at a known cost and profit. He died in 1892, 11 years later, and 11 years prior to Henry. TIMELINE DATA: 1824 claimed establishment Central Gun Works – Ward and Sons 1859 24 to 27 Bath st. Snow Hill — First record as J. Ward and Sons 1861 24 to 27 Bath St. – Gun Implement Maker 1870 Expands to 2 St Mary’s Row 1876 H. Ward and Sons est. 55 Rupert Street ( becomes Ward and Sons ) 1878 2 St. Mary’s Row – Gun Quarter & 24 to 27 Bath Street, Snow Hill (– post office directory) Now one business? Alpha (Gun) Works 1879 14 Russell Street (renamed Hospital St) 1883 15 Russell Street 1886 Alpha Gun Works listed 1890 Alpha Gun Works listed 1888 Central Gun Works name still active – verified centennial international exhibit Melbourne 1894 to 97 65 Weaman St – (misprint Weasman St., Gilchrist CPWs) 1898 to 02 27 Loveday St 1903 ‘H.A. Ward’ – 99 Snowhill 1903 H.A. Henry dies at 65 years of age 1905 Arthur Ward (son) testifies for DeCourcy over the ‘thunderer’ tradename in court H A Ward and Company 1909 two non-whistle patents filed for 1933 located at St. Mary’s only 1938 trading under Ward and Sons, (purchases Warwickshire Gun & Manuf. Co. Ltd. 1942 purchases Arthur Illsley & Co. (former employee) 1964 ceases trading From 1933 the firm no longer occupied the Bath Street premises, they operated only from 2 St Mary's Row. On 18 January 1909 J B and A B Ward registered patent No. 1243 for a heel plate safety for hammer guns. On 15 November 1909 J B and A B Ward registered patent No. 26445 for a trigger blocking safety. In about 1910 and 1912 the firm may have had additional premises at 131 Steelhouse Lane, but this has not been confirmed. By this time the firm was owned by A B Ward. No relationship has been established between these Wards and the Henry Arthur Ward family. According to the Internet Gun Club: Henry Arther Ward established himself in 1879 as a gun, action and pistol maker at 14 Russel Street, but after this date the firm was recorded as Arther Henry Ward (presumably Arther’s brother or son). In 1883 the firm acquired the neighbouring property at 15 Russell Street. In about 1890 they named their factory the “Alpha Works” and added St Mary’s Square to their address. It may have been at this time the firm opened a shop in Bermondsey, London. In about 1804 the firm moved to Alpha Works, 65 Weaman Street, and by 1901 they had moved again to Alpha Works, 27 Loveday Street. In 1903 the firm became H Arther Ward and they moved to Snowhill. The firm was last recorded in 1924 as H A Ward & Co. End Quote. This non ejector, side by side, double barrel gun with drop-down action, is not a Napier but made by H Arthur Ward. The gun has a hammerless side lock action and the third bite is of the dolls-head type. The double trigger gun has a bar action, and the side plates are about 70% engraved. A Scott spindle locks the barrels and action on double lumps. The browned, Rose Damascus barrels are quarter and three quarter choked. The stock has a straight grip and the fore end is located by a spring catch. It is classified as an antique/relic in the USA. (Ref: Dictionary of Guns and Gunmakers p544 by John Walter, Internet Gun Club – Boothroyd's directory, Nigel Brown's big book of Birmingham gun maker, Post office directory Birmingham – 1878, Collecting Police Whistles — Gilchrist and Topman, A Concise Kelley’s directory, London Gun Makers Association, British Gun Makers. Nigel Brown, Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House, Records of Birmingham gun makers, http://thewhistlegallery.com/083-ward-henry-arthur)
92006