H Adkin & Sons

howardbjr · April 27, 2009, 11:15 AM

I am looking for info on a gunmaker H Adkin and Sons you have inherited a double barrel 12 gauge and want to know more about the history of the gun Thx HBJ?

johnbt · April 27, 2009, 01:01 PM

I found a reference to:

"H.Adkin and Sons 57 High Street Bedford"

Bedford is north of London.

I also found a mention of a later 1900 address in Guildford, sw of London.

That's it so far.

apr1775 · April 28, 2009, 09:23 AM

Just to make sure, it is "Adkin" and not "Atkin". Henry Atkin was a famous London gun maker, but at a quick look I don't see any info on H Adkin.

howardbjr · April 28, 2009, 10:25 AM

I was indeed able to find "Henry Atkins;" however, I'm certain that the gunmaker for this side-by-side, double 12 is "H Adkin and Sons" and it was made in Bedford, England.

Can't seem to find much else regarding this gunmaker however. Thx

howardbjr · April 28, 2009, 10:29 AM

Johnbt:

You're on to something. The barrel has an inscription, "H Adkin and Sons Beford." I also find the number 1333 on various components of the gun, which I assume means that there are at least 1332 other versions of this gun out in the world.

I've googled to H Adkin and Sons Bedford, don't find much other than auction sights with little to no info.

Thank you for you good work,
hj

englishrose · July 31, 2010, 06:17 PM

H Adkin of Bedford was my great,great grandfather. The family business survived about 100 years in Bedford I believe, finally closing down in the 1950's when my great uncle died.

cdingeldein · November 13, 2011, 09:30 PM

I have a H Adkin serial number 1104. This must be an earlier shotgun because of the low serial number and on the barrel it just has H Adkin 57 High Street Bedford without the "& Sons"

I know nothing about the shotgun and would like to know more about it.

It is a hammered back action lock with the nice piece of wood I have ever seen on a shotgun

TheKlawMan · November 13, 2011, 09:43 PM

"H Adkin of Bedford was my great,great grandfather. The family business survived about 100 years in Bedford I believe, finally closing down in the 1950's when my great uncle died. "

You sound like a pretty good primary source

Bean1 · November 28, 2011, 06:15 AM

I've also recently bought a H.Adkin & sons, 57 high street Bedford, shotgun. Its a best quality box lock ejector with damscus barrels serial number 2007.

I've been trying to do some research with little success, I have found a little information here:

http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.u...ry_booklet.pdf

I have tried PM to "englishrose" but sadly it hasn't been read yet.

When I spoke to some people in the trade they thought it was most likely that H.adkin bought Birmingham guns and sold them as their own.

I also found a leather case on ebay by the maker, which I think had gun serial number 1211 on the trade label. I bought this for my gun and will probably restore it as its not in very good condition. If anyone knows a good restorer of leather goods, it needs a new strap and a handle as well as a repair to the ends.

Please post any more information you manage to find on the maker and I'll do the same as I find it.

Thanks

Simon

jaguarxk120 · November 28, 2011, 12:36 PM

You can try www.jeffsoutfitters.com he carries leather case's and some repair parts. He may know of someone who can restore your case.

April 27, 2009, 11:15 AM	#1
howardbjr Junior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Posts: 3	H Adkin & Sons I am looking for info on a gunmaker H Adkin and Sons you have inherited a double barrel 12 gauge and want to know more about the history of the gun Thx HBJ?

November 13, 2011, 09:30 PM	#7
cdingeldein Junior Member Join Date: November 13, 2011 Posts: 1	H Adkin 12 gauge side by side shotgun I have a H Adkin serial number 1104. This must be an earlier shotgun because of the low serial number and on the barrel it just has H Adkin 57 High Street Bedford without the "& Sons" I know nothing about the shotgun and would like to know more about it. It is a hammered back action lock with the nice piece of wood I have ever seen on a shotgun

April 27, 2009, 01:01 PM	#2
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,005	I found a reference to: "H.Adkin and Sons 57 High Street Bedford" Bedford is north of London. I also found a mention of a later 1900 address in Guildford, sw of London. That's it so far.

April 28, 2009, 09:23 AM	#3
apr1775 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 418	Just to make sure, it is "Adkin" and not "Atkin". Henry Atkin was a famous London gun maker, but at a quick look I don't see any info on H Adkin.

April 28, 2009, 10:25 AM	#4
howardbjr Junior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Posts: 3	I was indeed able to find "Henry Atkins;" however, I'm certain that the gunmaker for this side-by-side, double 12 is "H Adkin and Sons" and it was made in Bedford, England. Can't seem to find much else regarding this gunmaker however. Thx

April 28, 2009, 10:29 AM	#5
howardbjr Junior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Posts: 3	Johnbt: You're on to something. The barrel has an inscription, "H Adkin and Sons Beford." I also find the number 1333 on various components of the gun, which I assume means that there are at least 1332 other versions of this gun out in the world. I've googled to H Adkin and Sons Bedford, don't find much other than auction sights with little to no info. Thank you for you good work, hj

July 31, 2010, 06:17 PM	#6
englishrose Junior Member Join Date: July 31, 2010 Posts: 1	H Adkin of Bedford was my great,great grandfather. The family business survived about 100 years in Bedford I believe, finally closing down in the 1950's when my great uncle died.

November 13, 2011, 09:43 PM	#8
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	"H Adkin of Bedford was my great,great grandfather. The family business survived about 100 years in Bedford I believe, finally closing down in the 1950's when my great uncle died. " You sound like a pretty good primary source

November 28, 2011, 06:15 AM	#9
Bean1 Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2011 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 1	I've also recently bought a H.Adkin & sons, 57 high street Bedford, shotgun. Its a best quality box lock ejector with damscus barrels serial number 2007. I've been trying to do some research with little success, I have found a little information here: http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.u...ry_booklet.pdf I have tried PM to "englishrose" but sadly it hasn't been read yet. When I spoke to some people in the trade they thought it was most likely that H.adkin bought Birmingham guns and sold them as their own. I also found a leather case on ebay by the maker, which I think had gun serial number 1211 on the trade label. I bought this for my gun and will probably restore it as its not in very good condition. If anyone knows a good restorer of leather goods, it needs a new strap and a handle as well as a repair to the ends. Please post any more information you manage to find on the maker and I'll do the same as I find it. Thanks Simon

November 28, 2011, 12:36 PM	#10
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,681	You can try www.jeffsoutfitters.com he carries leather case's and some repair parts. He may know of someone who can restore your case.