Hi there

Does anybody out there know if the records for London gunmakers J & W Tolley survived, and if so, who owns them at present?

I happen to own a lovely little 5 lbs 4 oz 20-bore boxlock ejector by Tolley and would like to verify its heritage, if possible.

Thanks!

JvW

Although, like many other Birmingham gunmakers, James & William Tolley did have an outlet in London for a time during their operations, they were a Birmingham gunmaker, not London.

If the records survive, they'll be in the hands of their successors. J & W Tolley was acquired by another Birmingham gunmaker, Holloway & Naughton, sometime during WWI. In turn, H & N was acquired by F. J. Wiseman & Co. Ltd in the '50s. Holloway & Naughton was recently resurrected by Andrew Harvison and John Wiseman, but they have since parted company. If the records survived, they could be with either one. Most likely is Wiseman. F. J. Wiseman & Co Ltd, 262 Walsall Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 OJL. Holloway & Naughton has a website.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Thank you!

I will contact them and see what I can find out.

Your suggestion is much appreciated!

Regards

JvW