Shooting UK

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

Birmingham gunmaker bought at auction

Birmingham gunmaker bought at auction

The lot featured many interesting artefacts, including numerous ledgers charting the firm's trading history.


By Alex Flint

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Holt's hugely successful sale of fine modern and antique guns on December 17 had an unusual lot amongst the expected array of guns and shooting ephemera: the Birmingham gunmaker G. E. Lewis.

Initially specialising in engraving, George Edward Lewis was first registered as a gun, rifle and pistol maker in 1859, with premises on Loveday Street, Birmingham, where the business would remain for well over 100 years.

Lewis was best known for his trademark shotgun known as 'The Gun of the Period', which was available in hammer and hammerless forms.

He earned several gold medals with his guns at the lavish exhibitions of the period, including at Birmingham and Calcutta in 1886 and Paris in 1878.

The firm built guns right up until its closure and sale in 2003.

The lucky bidder was able to purchase full legal entitlement to the company, along with extensive detailed documents from across the firm's history.

Amongst the many ledgers, Holt's found ledgers containing patter plate and zeroing details for thousands of G.E. Lewis gun.

This remarkable piece of Britain's industrial and sporting history sold for £12,000.

Holt's next sale will take place on March 25, and included amonst the lots are two pairs of guns that once belonged to the 7th Earl of Lucan.

For more information visit: www.holtsauctioneers.com.


CompPrevious
Help for Heroes charity hits £40 million mark

Help for Heroes charity hits £40 million mark

Set up by Shooting Gazette illustrator Bryn Parry ...

CompNext
Shooting suspended in Scotland

Shooting suspended in Scotland

From 9am today (January 5) it will be illegal to s...


Gundogs Training

How can I stop my spaniel gun dog from dominating?

How can I stop my spaniel gun dog from dominating?

At the beginning my gun dog was quiet and submissive and easy to contr... Read more


More in Gundogs Training...


Gundogs Events

Blackmoor open for Arun and Downland

Blackmoor open for Arun and Downland

The Arun and Downland Gundog Society held their open working test at t... Read more


More in Gundogs Events...



Comments

Shooting Gazette Magazine

What's in this issue?

KEEPING AN EAR TO THE GROUND - Driven shooting's finest journal

Subscribe to magazine

Save up to 25% on a subscription to Shooting Gazette, subscribe today!


Latest articles

F1 tyro shoots for pole position

F1 tyro shoots for pole position

Williams F1 driver Nico Hülkenberg has taken up shooting as part ... Read more


Help for Heroes charity hits £40 million mark

Help for Heroes charity hits £40 million mark

The charity set up to support our wounded Servicemen and women, Help f... Read more


More in Latest articles...


Subscribe to Shooting Gazette

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 25% on a subscription to Shooting Gazette, subscribe today!