Another proof mark question

[gibster]

I didn't want to take over the other thread on proof marks so I started another one.  I have tried to find this mark but haven't had any luck.  Thought that maybe someone here may have some information.  It is on a blunderbuss that I recently bought.  It is signed on the lock and on the barrel, W Jones.  The barrel also has London on it.  I can find a little information on W Jones on the internet, but not much.  From what I am finding, he was active starting about 1811 or so.  Just wanting to know if these marks match that timeline.  Thanks in advance for your help.

[James Rogers]

They are proof and view marks from the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers of London. That form started use in 1702 IIRC.

[smart dog]

Hi Gibster,
According to my source (English Gunmakers, Bailey and Nie), William Jones, father, son, and grandson, were Birmingham makers who marked some of their guns "London".  The elder Jones worked at 86 Lichfield St from 1811-1819 and then 2 Newton St. from 1820-1828.  He died in April 1828 at age 50.  His son, William, carried on the business at Newton St until 1834, then at 23 Lench St. 1834-1852, and then 75 Bath St. from 1853-1880.  After 1881, the family business was carried on by William, the grandson, at the same address until 1891.  He moved to 25 Whittall St in 1891 and continued in business there until 1900.  Apparently, they paid the London Gunmakers' proof house to do some of their barrels.

dave

[JV Puleo]

By the end of the 18th century the Gunmakers Company proof house was happy to get any business it could. The older requirement that it only be used by members was dropped... in fact, they actively tried to get gun "merchants," with no pretension to making guns themselves, to join and were perfectly happy to prove any barrel that came in whether the nominal "maker" was a member or not.

[gibster]

Thanks for the replys.  I was hopeing that I could narrow down the timeline that this may have been made.  I would think that it was made by the elder William as it is flintlock, but since they were father, son and grandson, who knows.  Thanks again.

[Majorjoel]

Sure would like to see more pictures of your blunderbus Gibster