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William James Hill, was from Birmingham, also in London. Since 1860 - 1897, he was a gun, rifle, pistol and revolver producer.

William James Hill established his business in 1860 at 22 St Mary's Row, Birmingham. In 1862 he moved to 6 St Mary's Row, and in 1867 to 9 St Mary's Row. Some revolvers have “HILL LONDON” on the frame.

A W Hill, perhaps not this one, registered patent No. 866 on 7 April 1864. The patent covered a drop-down breech loader locked by two spring bolts into the lump between the barrels. On 25 January 1867 a W J Hill registered patent No. 191 for a barrel locking bolt activated by a lever on the side of the action.

In 1872 he opened a shop in London at 5 Bond Court, Wallbrook. In 1878 the London shop moved to 1-2 Fenchurch Street, but it closed in 1879.

In 1885 the Birmingham factory moved to 3-4 Whittall Street, it was not recorded after 1890.

From 1877 to 1884 William James Hill acted as Vice-Consul for the republic of Uruguay, this may indicate that he had an export market there.

WJ Hill’s revolvers all display advanced and unusual features for the time period. Hill was well known for his tip-up designs. 
British Patent 1878 #3645 HILL'S PATENT SELF EXTRACTOR
These innovative mechanical designs were not very robust and soon showed wear and looseness. 
Unique back-over break (Tip-up) system with spring-loaded ejector, nickel-plated finish, and checkered walnut one-piece grip. 

This is the 1878 Tip-up revolver with double action mechanism similar to the solid frame Webleys. A Hill’s self extractor patent (British Patent #3645 1878) is used to automatically eject cases activated by a lever on the sides of the barrel, during last part of tip-up movement. This patent was also used by other manufacturers in England and Europe. It is classified as an antique in the USA. 

(‘The Revolver 1865 – 1888” by Taylerson, p183/217)
De Wilde Firearms
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