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History
The Brazier Gunmaking Tradition The story of the name Brazier in the English gun making tradition is intricately tied to the history of the Trade itself and the relationships between the gun makers of London, Birmingham, and later Wolverhampton - a town a short distance northwest of Birmingham that would become renowned for the craftsmen who would supply the prestigious gunmakers of London. The Brazier family name first appears in English Gun and Lock Making around 1700 in London with William Brazier who apprenticed under Edmund Weston in 1702. He was free of London Gunmakers Company 1711. William Brazier is recorded to have 28,844 guns proved at the London Proof House between 1721-1731. He is listed as "Gunmaker, Minorities 1736, and Contractor to Ordnance 1714-15." He died in 1753. Of some interest is the early connection of the name Brazier with Birmingham in which we find that William was admonished by the "London Gunmakers Company" for selling "two pattern guns to a Mr. Farmer in Birmingham to ye great prejudice of the Trade" in 1721. To fully understand this one must be familiar with the political environment of the day.
By 1607 according to the book "Birmingham Gun and Barrel Proof House", only five gunmakers remained in the London Trade. After 1631 no one in England was allowed to "alter, amend, dress, repair, prove and stamp all or any of the said armour, gunnes, pikes and bandaliers" unless stamped with the "Crown A" being the hallmark of the "Worshipful Company of Workmen Armours of London". The aggravation of the London Gun Trade is now obvious. King James' son, King Charles I had his problems and a Civil War broke out which culminated into his execution in 1649 via Oliver Cromwell. It is likely that supply of some arms to this Civil War originated in Birmingham. In late 1687 during the reign of King James II it was reported that "weapons" were being made in Birmingham. When this was discovered by the King he sent his agents to inspect the report that locks and guns were being made in Birmingham. These reports were found to be correct. At this time, the Kingdom was at war with Holland and the fact that weapons were illicitly being manufactured in Birmingham was overlooked in favor of a "New Source" of an additional supply of arms that could be produced. "Sir Richard Newdigate told the King that his constituents were capable of satisfying his demands. He was furnished with two sample muskets and they were dispatched instantly to his Birmingham constituents". A contract was produced in 1689 to make guns in Birmingham. This contract did not go unobserved by London Gunmakers creating animosity that continues to this day - even though a goodly number of parts, forgings and barrels come from there.
William's transgression of sending "Two pattern guns" to Birmingham is now clear to view and the admonishment warranted. The purpose was clear; to make guns in Birmingham. In 1712 William took his brother Robert Brazier as apprentice. His Makers Mark "RB". He had 249 muskets, 14 ½ pairs of pistols and 3 blunderbusses proved in London. William also took his son John as apprentice in 1734. John's Makers Mark was a "Crowned IB" and was used about Sept, 1742 (Tucker Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah, St Botolph Aldgate, London, bricklayer, to John Brazier, 30 Sep 1742, Gunmakers' Company. "Gunmakers of London 1350-1850 by Howard L. Blackmore") John is recorded "In the Minories, gunmaker to Ordnance in 1756; the African Company 1750-1762; East India Company 1765, Hudson's Bay Company ,1764-1769." George Washington ordered a musket made for his stepson from John Brazier. Upon John's death 1769 his wife Frances took up as gunmaker 1769-74 at 122 Minories. She is shown as a contractor to East India Company 1773. Note: As a point of reference in time Wolverhampton had a population in 1750 of 7454 persons. John's son, John II, apprenticed under his father 1779. In 1800, having been knighted, John II changed his name to that of his father-in-law - Arundel, and it appears to vanish from gunmaking record. He died in 1837.
Benjamin Brazier: The connection between the Wolverhampton gunmaking tradition and the Brazier name begins with Benjamin Brazier. According to available records published today he is the oldest gunmaker recorded in Wolverhampton. Benjamin Brazier 1787-1832 is recorded as a Gunmaker, London, and later at 9 Great Brickkiln St., Wolverhampton. He apprenticed his son Joseph Brazier in 1811.
Joseph Brazier was first registered as a gunmaker in 1827 and was listed at the same address as his father Benjamin. From 1834 to 1887 the address was recorded as "The Ashes", on Great Brick Kiln Street, Wolverhampton and London.
By 1838 the firm was also making implements for and had been appointed as Lockmakers to the East India Company and the Board of Ordnance. He was appointed Examiner of Locks to East India Company in London 1840. In 1849 Joseph's elder son (also named Joseph) was made a partner and the firm became "Joseph Brazier & Son". By 1851 Richard Brazier (younger son) had been made a partner and the firm was named "J & R Brazier". They exhibited locks and accessories at the Great Exhibition of 1851 - regarded as the first World's Fair. By about this time the firm made gun furniture, sights, bullet molds, and breech loading actions. In 1855 Joseph Brazier patented a lever ramrod for Adams self-cocking pistols (No. 760) (single action later converted to double action) and for the Adams revolvers which he made under license. In 1858 Richard Brazier patented a loading device (No. 1593) and at least one revolver using this patent was made; the name engraved on the one revolver seen was Joseph Brazier & Son which implies that Richard died and the firm's name reverted accordingly.
Joseph Brazier, among others, reported to have also made locks for the famous Hawken Rifle made by Jake and Sam Hawken of St. Louis from 1820-1850, exporting locks, parts and rifles to the United States. In 1859 Joseph Brazier registered two designs, the first (No. 1056) for a spring clamp, and the second (No. 1068) for a lock vice. For Joseph Whitworth rifles, Joseph supplied locks which carry the "Joseph Brazier Ashes" and "IB" marks. Some of these rifles were used during the American Civil War and were noted Sniper Rifles of the era. Whitworth Sharpshooter Sniper Rifles; a rifle with a twisted hexagonal bore and 45 caliber bullets shaped to match this bore, were effective out to 1,500 yards when fitted with a telescopic sight. There are also examples where Joseph Brazier is simply noted by the initials "J.B." on the locks as well.
In 1864 Joseph Brazier (Jr) reportedly patented a snap action breech loading mechanism, (patent not traced). An 1864 advertisement stated "JOSEPH BRAZIER manufacturer of BEST BREECH LOADER ACTIONS AND BARRELS, BEST GUN LOCKS, REVOLVING PISTOLS, BULLET MOULDS, PATCH CUTTERS ETC. Also all kinds of forged work used in the trade, Gun Implements, Nipples, Rifle Sights, & c. Gun Furniture, Wadding Punches, Rifle Traps, Etc. The Ashes, Wolverhampton." An 1871 advertisement said much the same.
In 1887 William Mansfield (Jr) became the senior partner in the firm, which moved from "The Ashes Works" to Lord Street. William Mansfield was a lock maker in Lord Street from 1875 to 1896, and he was a friend/business partner of Sir Ralph Payne Galwey. In 1887 William Mansfield trading as J. Brazier & Sons patented "The Gallwey Brazier Improved Game Scorer", which fitted into the fore-end or stock of a shotgun (No. 10343). In 1896 William Mansfield appears to have retired or died. Not only did his own firm close, G. Brazier (one of the sons?) together with W. Cashmore patented a safety for a hammerless gun (No. 25994). This may be the time when the Brazier family regained control of their family's business. In about 1920 the firm, which had about 26 employees, was bought by Edwin Chilton of Wolverhampton. Brazier named locks continued to be made up to 1978 when Chilton, a famous lock maker in their own right, closed. In 1978 Joseph Brazier, Ashes was registered as a Class 13 maker and was acquired by Magnum Arms Company Ltd., (#1273665) 46, Newhampton Rd. West, Wolverhampton, West Midlands which became incorporated under Brazier's name 3 Nov. 1980. In 1983 Joseph Brazier Ltd was registered as a limited company and makes locks and springs at "The Ashes Works", Ash Street, Bilston, West Midlands. (See Chilton, Edwin). Brazier locks were marked "IB" to signify the lowest quality, "I" or "J BRAZIER" on the average quality, and "J BRAZIER" or "JOS. BRAZIER ASHES" or "JOSEPH BRAZIER ASHES" on the best quality). In 1993 Joseph Brazier was acquired by Arnold & Greenhalgh Limited and reincorporated into Joseph Brazier Limited (#583338) and again split apart (#1273665)
18 September 2001 Joseph Brazier Limited was registered (#4289267) with the death of the principle, to be sold. On 21 November, 2001 Joseph Brazier was acquired by Karl C. Lippard gunmaker. Today Joseph Brazier Limited manufactures complete guns, gunlocks for the HMS Victory, firearm locks, parts, accessories, and new technology Solid Steel Barrels for the Trade. It also offers state of the art engineering services for the betterment of English gunmaking Trade and is engineering consultants to 14 major firearm manufacturers.
Joseph Brazier, Ltd. currently maintains offices in:
Joseph Brazier wishes to thank the contributions to our history by Mr. Tony Murray of England, one our foremost Gun Lock collectors and historians; and The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers of the City of London for their Maker's Mark record with The Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House in response of research. To The United Grand Lodge of England for its Masonic record of Lodge members in early London; and to the family Brazier via Mr. David Brazier for records they have provided. Of course a special thanks to Mr. Craig Whitsey of John Wilkes Gun & Rifle Makers, Ltd. which made Joseph Brazier Limited the reality it is today.
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In the 1600's King James I licensed gunmaking in London as a monopoly in which fees were paid for the right to produce firearms and barrels.
It is recorded that these firms could not supply the demand for arms for domestic use and the Kings Army. Subsequently it was recorded that parts were being smuggled into England from abroad to satisfy this demand and it was not known that parts were being made in Birmingham (population of 2000 in 1625 at time of death of the King) thereby circumventing the Kings tax.
Best Locks were stamped as "Joseph Brazier Ashes". Joseph was described as "a very excellent best Lock Filer" by Wesley Richards.
Further, he was a Lockmaker for John & Joseph Manton, London where the "Joseph Brazier" and the "IB" marks were used. Brother Joseph Manton was a prolific inventor and preferred expert craftsman employing the finest craftsmen of the day. Of his employees, Thomas Boss, William Grey, William Moore and James Purdey all went on to establish businesses of their own. And under brother John Manton apprentices of W.W. Greener and John Blanch became famous in their own right as gunmakers. Outworkers, or subcontractors, were Joseph Brazier of course, John Wilkes, and Charles Lancaster, barrel maker (later owned by Jos. Brazier).
In 1872 the firm was classified as gun barrel makers, and in 1874 (and 1879-1880) as gun action makers - breech-loading. After 1874 the firm changed its name to Joseph Brazier & Sons, this may indicate that Joseph Sr had retired and Joseph (Jr) had taken his sons into the business as partners.
In 1876 the firm purchased via/from Mr. R E Couchman (patent agent?) a license to manufacture Anson & Deeley's famous patent box-lock (No. 1756/1785) and Anson's patent for forend latch (No. 4513/1876). The price of the license was 30 shillings for each weapon or action to be paid quarterly, and each weapon or action had to be submitted to Westley Richards to be marked.
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