Birmingham with a Bang!
Gun Barrel Proof House
Before the 1880s almost all the guns made in Britain were made in Birmingham. Until 1813, however, all had to go to London to be tested. In that year the Birmingham Proof House, designed by John Horton, opened and it's still in operation today.
By 1767 Birmingham could boast of having 35 gun and pistol makers, 8 gun barrel makers and filers, 5 gun barrel polishers and finishers, 11 gunlock makers, forgers and finishers, and 3 gun swivel and stock makers, supplying all of the kingdom. The gun trade is recognised as a core industry in Birmingham and as such required its own proofing establishment to test the guns before sale.
What is proofing
Proofing is the testing of small arms and gun barrels to determine that they are safe to use; well, at least safe to the firer and others in the immediate vicinity of the gun! Check the Gun Proof House site for more details in related links.
History of Proof House
The Proof House now houses a museum which catelogues the history of gun making and proofing in Birmingham. See related links at the foot of the page. The Museum is spilt into two comprising the Harding Ammunition Museum and The Arms Museum.
Submitted by: Peter Gallant, 07 March 2003
