From the IGC:
Richard Henry Bate reportedly established his business in 1850 at 97 Steelhouse Lane, but he was not recorded in the street directories until 1853. A rotary under-lever hammergun has been seen engraved R H Bate Snr, so it may be that this R H Bate was the son who had his own business, or that R H Bate had a son named after himself as well as a son named George.
In 1855 Richard moved to 132 Steelhouse Lane and took additional premises at 88 Weaman Street.
In 1861 the Weaman Street premises were given up in favour of 4 Aston Road which suggests the firm bought or established a barrel making business there.
An 1862 advertisement stated: "R H Bate, 132 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham. Military Rifle, Gun and Pistol Manufacturer. Double Action Revolving Pistols of every description. Gun Barrel and Rifle Barrel Maker. N.B. Old guns re-stocked and altered into Percussion on most approved principle. Barrels re-bored."
In 1868 the firm was recorded only at 132 Steelhouse Lane.
R H Bate appears to retired or died between 1878 and 1881 and his son, George Bate took over the firm re-naming it after himself by 1890.
In 1898 George probably gave up the Aston Road premises because he acquired other premises at 2 Easy Row; it is likely the Easy Row premises were vacated soon after 1900.
In about 1918, the firm employed William Cross as gunsmith and shop manager, he had previously worked for William Powell.
When the firm acquired limited liability and became G Bate Ltd is not known, probably in the late 1920s.
In 1940 the firm's premises at 132 Steelhouse Lane were bombed and the firm relocated to an unknown address, possibly in Price Street (New Buildings, 63 Price Street not confirmed).
In the early 1950s the Bate family sold the business to William Cross's son, George, and his son, Conrad.
In about 1963 the firm moved to 7 Corporation Street but they retained workshops in New Buildings, 63 Price Street.
In about 1970 they moved to 16 Colmore Circus, Queensway.
In 1976 the firm opened a branch at 7 Market Square, Stafford and a shooting school on the Shugborough estate near Stafford. It may have been at this time that Conrad's son, Nicholas, joined the firm.
In about 1990 the firm in Birmingham changed its name to Bate & Cross (Gunmakers) Ltd, and moved to 8-10 Colmore Circus, Birmingham, they are still trading and still retain the workshops in Price Street.
The shooting school no longer operates and the shop in Stafford trades under the name of George Bate Gunmakers (Stafford) Ltd.
Pete
