The history of the Birmingham Proof House details serious problems with administration of the proof act of 1855. In 1868 a new act passed into law. One purpose of this act was to,"curb the authority of the proof master"! Under the provisions of the new act, magistrates and city councillors were appointed/elected to serve as guardians of the proof house. Samuel Buckley was a magistrate or councillor serving on the board of guardians. It is very unlikely that he was ever in business as a Bimingham gunmaker. On december 31 1868 Samuel buckley was appointed chairman of the Guardians.
Samuel Buckley obviously had excellent connections within the Birmingham gun trade. It is almost certain that he established the business of, Samuel Buuckley and Co; in Detroit, for the purpose of selling Birmingham made guns.Per my earlier post, William Powell of Birmingham made at least 5 guns for Samuel Buckley & Co; Detroit.This fact is recorded in Powells records.
