Joe,

From 1880 on the English trade was going through contraction. Williams in his "The Birmingham Gun Trade" talks about that. A good example is the declining about of trade produced for the American market. In 1882 $1,169,000 by 1905 it was less than $20,000. By 1903 damascus tubes were no longer produced in England according to Greener. Belgium at the same time reached it's zenith of exporting during this period. Dunham states in 1955 that there was only 1 source of British produced shotgun tubes. Williams to points to the tariffs as cause. Certainly they played a factor, perhaps not the only factor.

Certainly such a list as you propose would be interesting and informative. I would add Rodda and Clabrough to your list.


Pete