Object number
56/341/1-4
Exhibition
Creator
Description
This Victorian shotgun was made by the Liverpool gunsmiths Williams & Powell, though the canvas case was made in Shrewsbury by Samuel Smallwood. The gun does not fit well in the case, which is inscribed with 'C. B. BAXTER' on the lid. The gun breaks down into three parts (stock, barrel and fore end), and there is a two piece cleaning rod. The shotgun has a Birmingham proof, and was in use between 1813 and 1904.
Physical description
shot gun: metal
Label Text
Two guns and gun case, late-nineteenth century. The shotgun was a common farmer's accessory. The example shown with its carrying case is double-barrelled and part-rifled. The case itself contains several hundred cartridges. This weapon was made by Lang of Cockspar Street, London. The other example was given to Colonel Baxter as a young boy in 1905. It was made many years previously by Willams and Powell, Liverpool. Older guns like this were still in use in the early twentieth century. Like most accoutrements of country life, the modern age brought with it technical improvements and change. At the beginning of the Second World War the police requested guns for the Home Guard. Colonel Baxter’s was found to be unsafe. MERL 55/280, MERL 56/341.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Description // Victorian Shotgun with case. Canvas cased marked with "C.B. BAXTER" on the lid. Gun disassembled into 5 parts [insert] - 3 parts form the gun (stock, barrels + fore end) + a 2 piece cleaning rod. [end insert]. Double barrell - "Williams + Powell" engraved and decorated on metal. // Birmingham proof amrks, in use after 1813 and prior to 1/8/1904... // Associated information // ... The gun does not fit well in the case even though it has been adapted. // Retaining screw from left-hand action plate broken off inside stock. Left-hand mainspring missing...', MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Given to Colonel Baxter in 1905 when he was a small boy, the gun was already old. At the beginning of the war of 1939-45 the police "called up" such guns for use by the Home Guard, but this specimen was found to be unsafe to use. The gun was made by Williams + Powell of Liverpool, but the label inside the canvas case is a Shrewsbury firm label. // Approximate length when assembled 4 feet // Canvas cased marked on the lid C. B. Baxter.'
Production place
Liverpool, Shrewsbury
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Production period
Nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
