Thomas Horsley - by Another
Thomas Horsley - Gunmaker
Thomas Horsley by name only, identified as made by Another
During periods of manufacturing pressures, many industries have and continue to sort support from within their own trade to meet demand. This was no different for the gun trade during Victorian Britain. The period of pressure for outsourcing in this article is the early 1860’s and linked to the development of the Breech Loader (Pin-fire) in which demand was growing. This new invention effected everyone, from wanting the latest development in sporting game guns, to the trade supplying them and those producing ammunition for their use.
Supplied by Thomas Horsley, identified as being made by another Gunmaker
The better makers known for quality and reliability in supplying sporting guns to their loyal customers were naturally turned to, however supply was soon outstripped, with the only way to support consumers would be through outsourcing, in an attempt to meet demand.
Good figuring to the stock tail, becoming straighter through the hand for strength
The Thomas Horsley in this article is an early example of a Horsley Pin-fire, but looking closer, the gun simply does not have the usual levels of quality that caught the eye of so many Horsley supporters, followers, buyers. This gun was not made by Thomas Horsley, however, it is a well-made, and a solid example of a “Trade Gun” built to meet the pressures and demand of the time.
Long action top tang - open scroll engraving.
The gun has no visible serial number, or relatable marks to Thomas Horsley, other than the obvious Horsley name ! The locks internally are solid, although unnamed and lack finish and refinement, the engraving of the action body and external locks, including hammers display a lack of detail and quality. The Horsley name engraved on the locks and top rib are basic and incomplete. This is not as we would expect on guns made by Thomas Horsley.
The lock build and finish do not represent the quality usually offered by the Thomas Horsley company.
Good quality locks built by a Trade supplier - Not the work of Horsley, or their regular suppliers
The internal lock within a gun made by Horsley, would be from the best lock makers, as supplied by like of Brazier, Chilton or Stanton. The locks contained within this gun, are a good solid and reliable lock, but not what is usually found within Horsley guns, however is a typical lock supplied from gun making trade suppliers.
The only chance in narrowing a built date without a Thomas Horsley serial number is through the guns’ proof marks, and the Jones 1859 patent under lever opening. The proof marks are for Birmingham 1855 to 1868. The process of elimination should also consider, that by 1863 Thomas Horsley had patented his own Pin-fire guns. The window of manufacture for this particular gun can be narrowed to 1860 - 1863.
Birmingham proof marks for 1855 to 1868, plus the letter stamp 'B & P' (The maker of this Gun)
The guns made in this period by Thomas Horsley and serial numbered to his records were works of art, refined, of excellent quality, and seen as best guns. The gun in this article is a long way from a best gun, and not what we expect from the House of Thomas Horsley, so where did this gun originate ?
Two of the bigger players in providing guns for the British Gun Trade at this time, were Phillip Webley, and Bentley and Playfair. The foundations of their businesses both starting around 1840. Both firms could supply guns in various qualities and states of finish to accommodate and support the gun trade. The merger between P. Webley and W&C Scott in the late 1890s, and becoming Webley & Scott, was a massive boost and to the British gun trade, as per the VGJ article “Appreciating Birmingham’s Big Boys” - March 2020.
Jones style under-lever (Un-marked) and unattributed to the patent holder.
The firm Bentley and Playfair also had considerable involvement with “Trade Supply” being very strong in the early and middle part of the 19th Century. In brief, the Bentley & Playfair story starts with their first Address: 56 Summer Lane, Birmingham. Other Addresses: 315 & 316 Summer Lane, Birmingham. 20 High Holborn, London; 9 New Broad Street; 60 Queen Victoria Street; Atlantic House, 46a Holborn Viaduct, London: Gun, rifle & pistol makers: 1840-1911
Bentley and Playfair were contractors to the War Department and had sole manufacturing rights to Baker's central fire breech-loader, Erskine's eccentric action breech-loader and Walker's snap-action breech-loader, all of which were adapted to accept Eley's pin-fire and centre-fire cartridges.
The forend being of the early type, secured by a cross pin latch, is to be expected at this time in development.
In the 1851 census Thomas Bentley was recorded as a gun maker employing 23 men. He was living at Ryland Road, Edgbaston. In 1861 Charles Playfair became a founder and a director of BSA.
The 1871 census records Thomas Bentley living at Richmond House, Sherborne Road, Acock's Green. This was in Yardley, Solihull, south of Birmingham, Charles described himself as a gun maker employing 80 men and 20 boys.
In 1872 Thomas Bentley and Charles Playfair became partners in Abingdon Works (Ltd), a manufacturing partnership founded by them and other gun and pistol makers. At some stage Charles Playfair became Chairman of the Birmingham Proof House.
After the sale of the business to Isaac Hollis the firm was re-named Hollis, Bentley & Playfair and moved to Colmore Works, Lench Street. The newly formed firm traded in London as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair from Bentley & Playfair's address at Atlantic House, 46a Holborn Viaduct.
The action locks and top rib are simply marked 'T. Horsley' - engraving is open and unrefined.
This particular Thomas Horsley Pinfire is likely to have been made by Bentley and Playfair, to support the increases in demand in this latest development. There are trade links between the two companies, as we are aware Bentley and Playfair have made and supplied parts and guns to Thomas Horsley in the past. The only identifying makers mark in this case being “B & P” stamp between the barrel flats and proof marks. This makers stamp has been seen on guns supplied by Bentley and Playfair previously.
A well-made gun from Thomas Horsley identified as being made by another.
