Whodunnit?

[smellie]

Okay, so we have this "thing" happening on Saturday and my kitchen is filled with bits and pieces of junkers which MUST go to the range.

One of them is an 1857 TOWER Musket which I picked up a few years ago rather inexpensively and in utterly hideous condition. This thing is marked everywhere and I am curious, especially as it is beginning to look like a gun again.

The LOCK is marked "TOWER 1857" in the correct place, but it is stamped on the inside of the Lock-plate "BOND".

The STOCK is no longer in danger of falling part by itself. On then underside o the Stock, hidden by the Triggerguard, is "R TATNALL".

The BARREL has TWO markings, one in small punches "BEAKIN" and a larger series reading "FOGARTY".

The Tower, as most folks know, bought a lot of PARTS from the London Trade and assembled them into guns. At this exact period, Enfield was just starting to turn out the first completely-interchangeable, machine-made guns, which would be known, once the type was standardised, as the 1858 Model. This musket represents one of the final Tower-assembled, Trade-made guns assembled from mixed parts.

Does anyone have any information on Mr. BOND, who made Locks, Mr. R TATNALL, stockmaker..... and Messrs BEAKIN and FOGARTY who had something to do with the Barrel? They all were making parts on contract to the Tower of London Armoury in 1857; that's all I know, except that they all did good work.

Thanks much.

 

[Musketfire]

Sir, the men at the british militaria forum "many are members here aswell" are really a excellent resource with regards to British arms.

I was actually thinking about asking a mod about copying some of their stickies with Canadian regimental marks and whatnot.

 

[9.3mauser]

I consulted Boothroyd's Directory, and there are several 'Bond's' listed, with 2-3 prime suspects that were in business at the time your gun was made.

Philip & Edward Bond, in business from 1774-1861, with several address and name changes. In 1857 they would have been at 142 Leadenhall London or Hooper's Square, Goodman's Fields. Also operated under the name E & W Bond.

William Bond, Thetford, Norfolk, 1821-1869

E. Bond & Co. Birmingham, & Herbert William Bond, Birmingham. Both are listed as circa 1877-1879, meaning there isn't enough information to determine when the business opened or closed.

There is no listing for Tatnall, Beakin or Fogerty. I have found that Boothroyd's is not 100% complete, nor 100% accurate. There were a lot of makers to the trade that simply aren't listed. It may well be that some other Bond built your lock.