William Horton was born in 1826 and established his business as a stocker in 1855 at 13 Moat Row, Smithfield, Birmingham.
In 1857 he started to trade as a gun maker and took on additional premises, which became his principal offices, at 8 Steelhouse Lane but in 1858 these moved back to 13 Moat Row.
In 1859 he moved to 16 Roper Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria where he stayed until 1863 when he moved to 29 Union Street, Glasgow.
In 1865 the firm were trading as gun and fishing tackle makers, but fishing tackle making ceased in about 1870 although they continued to sell it.
At some time after 1875 the firm opened an additional shop at 11 Royal Exchange Square, they then moved entirely to Exchange Square.
In 1889 Horton patented a box-lock action (No. 2790), and in 1891 a top lever (No. 20940).
In about 1894 the firm opened a branch at 31 Port Street, Stirling.
In 1895 William Horton died and Oliver Horton (born about 1846) took over the running of the business. The Stirling address changed to 35 Murray Place in about 1897, and by 1900 the firm had moved to 98 Buchanan Street in Glasgow, with separate workshops first at 11 Princes Square and then at 64 Osborne Street. They had a shooting ground at Letham Hill when the factory was at 64 Osborne Street. The shop and workshops moved to 199 Buchanan Street in about 1913.
In 1901 the firm patented an adjustable trigger (No. 3634).
The firm closed in 1924, the stock being sold to Arthur Allen.
The firm sold shotgun cartridges under the names "The Horton Cartridge", "Extra", "Weatherproof" and "Ejector".
So, if your gun has the adjustable trigger, then it has to have been made after the 1901 patent.
Pete
