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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
A 1955 pamphlet "The Gun Trade of Birmingham" details the development and history of what was then referred to as "The Proof House Collection." During WWII it was moved out of the city for protection from German bombs. In the early 1950s the collection was back on display on "Newhall Street." Does anyone
know the history between the 1950s and now?
There are some guns currently on display at the proof house but
only a fraction of what the original collection must have been.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96 |
Steve, I may have all the information you need contained in a book about the history of the Birmingham Proof House written by the curator Bill Harding and published last year. There are three pages of information plus a list of items that went missing. The book is like hen's teeth to find a copy as he only printed 50 copies. The book is over 300 pages and a fascinating and comprehensive work. I may be able to photograph the relevant pages for you and e-mail across to you.
One interesting fact in the book concerning the war is that in the canal at the rear of the Proof House there is still a 500 pound Unexploded German bomb there. It is considered too dangerous to remove so there it remains. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1 |
Anyone done the proof house tour ? Its a bit expensive but is it worth it ?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,553 |
Lagopus,
that sounds` a bit hairy..that would be one big Proof Load it it let go.
500 lbs, that was a pretty good sized bomb wasn't it?
cheers
franc
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96 |
Proof House tours aren't that bad if you go as a party of 10 and well worth it.
UXB's (Unexploded bombs) turn up more often that you would think over here. I think the term 'let sleeping dogs lie' might be the best option.
I'll see how photographs of the pages turn out. The book is too large and stiff to attempt a photocopy. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 388 Likes: 1 |
https://youtu.be/iZRyyWGNBmo?list=LLC5xqg4osXtLAp_0dceZ6vAThe first half is a bit boring, but the "chamber of horrors" about 28 minutes in is sobering. According to the presenter they want more visitors at the proof house.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,022 Likes: 50
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,022 Likes: 50 |
Great video, thanks for posting
Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617 |
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/carl-chinn-column-remembering-the-birmingham-135900Apologies if it's a bit off topic but here's a short article on the bombing of the BSA factory in Birmingham. Many workers chose to stay by their machines after the air raid siren sounded. Sadly that cost many their lives. There is also a Google-able map of the known bomb hits on the city. It's an eye opener.
Rust never sleeps !
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