doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com pics added on Thomas Blissett cartridge gun

As the title says, looking for info on T. Blissett. I have found lots of information on John Blissett and Blissett and sons and so on.
I have also found much information on T. Blissett as a percussion gun maker, pistol and long gun, as well he dabbled in pinfires.

I have picked up a magnificent 10 bore made by T. Blissett, it is a side lock, hammer gun, jones underlever, cartridge gun. I can find literally no information on Thomas Blissett cartridge guns. Any help would be appreciated.

Please favour us with a photograph.

Just a WAG,but might it be a later conversion of one of his muzzle-loaders?

Or of a pin-fire?

The Internet Gun Database has information on this Liverpool maker. I have yet to encounter a Thomas Blissett pin-fire, but my life is not yet over, and I'll keep looking.

Thomas Blissett, Gunmaker, 1837-1907

Thomas Blissett was born in Birmingham in 1812. It has been reported that he established his business in 1834 at 38 South Castle Street, Liverpool with additional premises nearby at 11 Water Street which were disposed of almost immediately, but his case label at about that time stated "38 South Castle Street late of Pool Lane". A case label dating to near the end of the century stated "Est. 1837" but this may have been a guess by the owner of the firm at that time.

It appears the business was established in Pool Lane prior to 1837. He was recorded as a gun and pistol manufacturer in Gores Directory in 1843 at 38 South Castle Street.

In 1859 Thomas was recorded trading in Oxton, Birkenhead, in Cheshire, just across the river, but whether this report is correct or not is doubtful because the 1851 and 1861 censuses record him living in Oxton but not necessarily working in Oxton as well as at 38 South Castle Street. At the time, Oxton was a small country village with only a few inhabitants but good transport facilities to Liverpool.

No record of Thomas has been found in the 1841 census but the 1851 census showed him to be living in Roslin Villas, Roslin road, Oxton, with his wife, Emily J (b.1815 in London) and sons Richard J (b.1838 in Liverpool) and James George (b.1850 in Oxton). Thomas described himself as a gun maker employing 4 men and 2 boys.

The 1861 census records Thomas and Emily living at Rose Mount, Woodchurch, Oxton, with Richard J (described as a 25 year old shop assistant presumably working for his father but not recorded in subsequent censuses), James George (aged 11 years), Emily (b.1852), Mary J (b.1853), Thomas (b.1855), Catherine (b.1856) and Annie (b.1858).

Prior to 1863 the firm established a workshop at 47 Whittall Street, Birmingham. The fact was stated on a gun case label but it is not known when it closed.

There are reports that in 1863 and 1864 the firm was recorded at 16 Water Lane, London. These dates coincide with Richard's disappearance so may be correct. At this point it should be noted that there is no known connection between Thomas and Richard Blissett of Liverpool and Isaac and John Blissett of London.

Between 1870 and 1874 the name of the firm changed to Blissett & Son, the son being James George. The 1871 census records James George living with his mother at Ashleigh, Crosby Road, Waterloo, Great Crosby, about 8 miles north west of Liverpool. James was described as a gun maker. Thomas was recorded staying with Frederick Barford, a farmer at Towns End Farm, St Albans, Hertfordshire.

The 1881 census records Thomas living at Rose Bank, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Great Crosby, with his wife Emily and children Mary, Thomas (an architect, Catherine and Annie. The 1891 census records Thomas living at Rose Mount, back in Oxton, Birkenhead. Emily had died and only Mary and Thomas were living with him.

Thomas died in 1893, and although no record of James George has been found in the censuses, it is presumed he inherited the business. In about 1901 the firm moved to 36 South Castle Street. At some time the firm reportedly occupied premises at 15 Castle Street but this has not been confirmed.

Reportedly, the firm closed in Liverpool in 1905 but other reports give the date as 1907.


Please post pictures of your gun, so we can all learn from it. If there is an address, the information above might help determine a possible date range.

I am having some difficulty with getting my self signed into double gun on my new computer. For some reason the website will not recognize my user name email addy or password.
As soon as i can get it worked out i will post some pics.

this massive 10 bore has 34 inch barrels, weighs in at 10 pounds and is ,as you can see in spectacular condition.
Barrels need to be done, but as of now it has received only a thorough cleaning and some fire blue on the screws.
It is in proof with very thick walls. judging by the dates in Stephens post from igc and the barrel address, this must be a very early gun for a cartridge gun.
It appears to be purpose built for centre fire cartridges but if someone sees something else please feel free.


"In 1859 Thomas was recorded trading in Oxton, Birkenhead, in Cheshire, just across the river, but whether this report is correct or not is doubtful because the 1851 and 1861 censuses record him living in Oxton but not necessarily working in Oxton as well as at 38 South Castle Street. At the time, Oxton was a small country village with only a few inhabitants but good transport facilities to Liverpool."

Here's a T Blissett pinfire 8 gauge. Surprisingly light.

Nice pin fire Daryl


Does anybody out there have another Thomas Blissett, centre fire, cartridge gun……?
Would love to see some pics………..

Magnificent gun, Tigertrout. Please give us more photos of the entire gun. Amazing condition.
JR

more pics as requested