Field Rifle Company Birmingham England

[Matt Buckley]

I'm posting to see if anybody on this forum has any information about the Field Rifle Co of Birmingham England. I came across a beautiful little 28 gauge hammer gun with damascus barrels at a gun show recently built by this company. I have not found out much information on the internet about this company. I'm wondering if anybody has any of the English Gun Maker books that might have some info. I have found out the makers name is William Field and that the company was around from 1885-98. The person selling the gun said the company mainly built double rifles and military guns but also built a few shotguns. The person selling the gun is away on vacation but is going to email me some pics when he gets back and I'll post some then so you can take a look.

[Bob Brown]

I can't add much, Matt, but they were at 2 King Alfred's Place, Broad Street from 1885-1896,then 2 Cambridge Street, 1897-1898. Mostly rifles built on Field's patents for a drop down barrel action and later a Martini style action. Looks like late in the company's life it was owned or being managed by C.B. Engels, though Field was still filing patents the company was using in 1898. He filed or jointly filed a half dozen patents, 5 on single shot rifles and the last was for a rifle magazine.

[John Campbell]

Mr. Buckley:
In British Gunmakers Vol. 2, Nigel Brown lists a William Field at 118 Unett St. , B'ham around 1881. Also a Wm. Field Armsmaker at 16 New Bldgs., Price St. from 1913 - 17. And a Wm. Field Gun and Riflemaker at 30 Staniforth St. in 1838.

One of these may be your Field Rifle Co. Most likely one of the first two...

[Bob Brown]

I'm pretty sure the dates and addresses I posted above are correct. They were directly attributed to the Field Rifle Company which was managed by William Field. If you want to look up the patents they are 1,927 of 1877; 2,646 of 1883; 7,502 of 1888; 4,704 of 1898; and 11,468 of 1898. 7502 was a joint patent with C.H. Laubenburg whose C.H. Laubenburg and Co, also made Field's patent rifles and operated out of the same 2 King Alfred's Place from 1885-1892. This from the book "English Gunmakers, The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th ad 19th Century"by De Witt Bailey and Douglas A. Nie.

[john pulis]

there is a Field gun, a 16, I think, on the Vintage Doubles web site.

[Dean Romig]

A Damascus 28 bore by any maker is a pretty rare item, especially a hammer gun. If I were you I would act very quickly and BUY THAT GUN.





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[George Davis]

Fields single shot actions were used by various English company's to build rifles. Saw a beautiful Holland & Holland on the Fields action at this years antique show in Las Vegas. I own a 450 1/4 BPE build on a Fields action and it's a lot of fun to shoot.

[Matt Buckley]

Thanks for the information every one has provided. Don't worry Dean, I'm not letting the gun get away.

[Dean Romig]

Good!

I hope you post pictures when you get it.





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[Matt Buckley]

Well Dean it took me short of 5 years but I am finally in possession of this nice 28 gauge and here are the promised pictures. The gun sports a 29 1/2" barrel choked .001 and .004 and nitro proofed for 2 3/4" shells and 950 Bar. The gun weights 5lb 6oz. Well worth the wait.

[Marty Kohler]

Wow... That is a very special gun .... More pictures please...

[Jay Oliver]

Matt, Gosh that is beautiful! The wood is gorgeous and a straight stock with nice grain/figure, composite barrels, open chokes and its a 28 gauge....I like everything about it. Have you shot it yet?

Congratulations and I agree that would be something worth waiting for...

[Matt Buckley]

I have not shot it yet Jay. Here are a few more pics.

[Dean Romig]

Very pretty!





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[Jim Beilke]

Good for you Matt, Looking forward to seeing it and possibly shooting it. Supposed to be 52 Wed. 48 Thurs in case you need a weather report

[Christian Gish]

looking back birds on both locks.

[Stan Hillis]

That's a beauty, Matt. Persistence paid off for you.

What are your plans for it?

SRH

[Matt Buckley]

I hope to shoot a rooster with it now and then.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Matt: You hit a home run on that great little grouse gun. I wished my 28 ga. hammer gun looked as nice as yours. Thomas

[George Davis]

I have a 450 3 1/4 Black Powder Express Rifle built on the Field's Action. Beautiful rifle which is very accurate. I'm traveling right now but when I get home I'll exam markings on the barrel.

[Richard Flanders]

What a beautiful little gun! Nice! Certainly has weathered the years well and has been well cared for.

[Matt Buckley]

That's a beauty, Matt. Persistence paid off for you.

What are your plans for it?

SRH

Job accomplished, a Minnesota December limit of wild roosters.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Very nice! Gary

[Jim Beilke]

I had the priviledge of being along on this expidition and what a fun time. After tough morning and early afternoon hunting our "Hotspots"with no results. Matt suggested we try a series of terrace[grass strips about 20' wide] plantings that border a large crp planting. We were spred about 40yds and Matt was in the right terrace. 4 shots and three wild birds with the gorgeous little 28 hammer gun

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

How many and what breed of dogs did you guys have on your successful hunt. I just finished a day of hunting with my nephew Kelly and we probably covered a few miles with a good lab named Owen and came up empty. I just took my gun for another walk.

[Jay Oliver]

Nicely done!!! So glad everything came together on this! That is just great that you got your limit too. I don't want to admit that I am jealous, but...

[Jim Beilke]

Thomas, if we give out that kind of information, well you know what we would have to do. I shudder at the thought!!!

[Matt Buckley]

Dogs, what dogs? Nobody wants to believe this can be done with out.

[Reggie Bishop]

Very nice !!

[George Davis]

I've seen several English Hammer Shotguns which were converted from Black Powder Rifles. Being proofed for 2 3/4 shells makes me wonder if this is not a conversation.

[Jim Beilke]

This little Field is not a conversion. I have seen it and studied it and Matt has researched it very thoroughly it is not a reproduction or a conversion. This is the real deal it was one HELL of a find.

[Jennifer Read]

Interesting to see a gun made by my Great Grandfather William Field of the Field Rifle Company, Birmingham.
My Cousin, Martin, has just published a book called William Field which tells the story of William Field, Gunmaker of Birmingham - His family and descendants, which is available on Amazon which might be of interest to you. He would also like to know more about the gun you have bought.