doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Wanted: Information on T. Newton, West Manchester

I have a rather nice but plain boxlock with "T. Newton, 48 King Street, West Manchester" on the rib. Birmingham proof marks are from 1925 to 1954. Does anyone have information on him and when he was in business?

Joe Wood:

Here is a little info but it seems to be mostly of the mid 19th century period: Thomas Newton, 48 King Street West, Manchester, Lancashire. He began in 1860 at 56 Lower King Street and had British patents 132/62 or 1862(rifle sights) and 297/64 of 1864 for a tilting breech-loading gun. Some 12 bore scattergun shotshells(Eley-Kynoch) had "The Lightning' or Newton's G.P.(Grand Prix) and were peddled by Thomas Newton. Someone held the reins and the company continued into the 20th century.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Thanks a lot, Raimey. Now can anyone add information about the company's later activities?

Joe,

Here you go. Maybe Roy will have more.

Thomas Newton in business from 1855 to about 1940.

Thomas Newton moved from 4 (or 41) Frederick Street, Salford where he was established in 1855, to 56 Lower King Street, Manchester in 1860.

In 1862 he patented an adjustable foresight and an adjustable backsight (the Venetian blind and wingauge adjustment type) (No. 132), and in 1864 a "self-acting" drop-down barrel breech action (No. 297) which had a single bite moved by a slide on the top of the action.

In 1870 he patented a quick detachable barrel attachment (Patent No. 703) this had a trigger guard the rear of which was hinged and spring loaded to avoid a bruised second finger.

In 1879 the business was sold to William Howat who moved it to 48 King Street West, but it continued to trade as T Newton.

In 1883 Howat sold it to Joseph Percy who also traded as T Newton.

Although no record has been found after 1906, the business is known to have traded up to about 1940.

The firm sold cartridges under the names "The Lightning", "Newton's G P", "The Smokeless Cartridge" and they loaded a cartridge in Pegamoid paper cases.

Pete

Thanks, Pete. That sure helps fill in some blanks. Sounds to me as though the original T. Newton was a genuine maker. My best guess of the gun I have is a generic Webley & Scott marked with Newton's name. You fellers are great!

Hi Joe, hope all goes well. I have seen some very fine early hammerguns by T.Newton,usually bar action guns with a distinctive
shaped lockplate,well engraved with ornate hammers. The man made serious guns while he was the boss.Will attach a couple pics of a gun that passed by a while back. See you in Vegas,all being well.
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My goodness, those are beautiful locks on that Newton, Terry. The old man was a master, wasn't he.

The stock looks extremely long and of very modern dimensions.......is the picture stretched out?? It looks like it would fit me.

So, here's my best guess on the provenance of my T. Newton shotgun. It's a 1930's gun nicely made but with no engraving and in 95% original condition and has untouched screws. Initials on the oval are "TPM". I think there's a good chance the owner was a casualty in WW2 and the gun was kept by the family in a closet until the 70's when the gun laws in England forced its sale. Collector Firearms in Houston imported it and guess it changed hands a couple times before I ended up with it. Sounds reasonable but we'll never know....

Have no additional information on T.Newton of Manchester. M