The Hollis Brothers were first recorded as operating from 11 Weaman Row in 1840, although evidence suggests that the business may have commenced prior to this date. Over time, the firm evolved and became known as Isaac Hollis & Sons, with claims of its establishment dating back to 1814. This earlier date is supported by records of Richard and William Hollis trading in Bath Street, Birmingham, between 1814 and 1818, which raises the possibility that Isaac and Frederick Hollis were their descendants. The principal brothers involved in the business were Isaac Hollis, born in 1815, and Frederick Hollis, whose birth date remains unknown. Frederick’s life was cut short when he died on 20 December 1839. According to the 1841 census, Isaac Hollis resided in Weaman Row and was listed as a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker. He was married to Emma, who was born in 1821, and together they had two children: Isaac, born in 1837, and Henry, born in 1839. Following Frederick’s death, Isaac continued to operate under the name Hollis Brothers until 1845, after which he renamed the business Hollis Brothers & Co. This entity remained active up to 1848. In 1844, Isaac Hollis entered a brief partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, likely to fulfil a specific contract or to supply particular parts. This partnership continued until 1849. In 1848, Isaac Hollis formed a partnership with Isaac Brentnall Sheath, establishing the firm of Hollis & Sheath and expanding their operations into 10 Weaman Row. The partnership saw Hollis & Sheath become licensed manufacturers of percussion breech-loading guns, positioning the company as a notable presence in the industry. In 1861, Sheath left the partnership and emigrated to New Zealand, where he conducted several enterprises and was elected as a provincial councillor. He died in Christchurch on 19th May 1897. Following the departure of Isaac Sheath in 1861, the business underwent a name change to Isaac Hollis & Sons. By approximately 1870, Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had assumed responsibility for the daily management of the firm, with Isaac overseeing the overall management and marketing of the company's products, while Henry managed the manufacturing processes. During this period, the company became known for producing large volumes of affordable trade guns and sporting guns, catering to customers in South Africa and the British colonies. In 1870, Isaac Hollis & Sons opened a retail location at 44a Cannon Street in London, subsequently relocating to 83 Cheapside in 1871. Isaac Hollis Jnr passed away in October 1875 in Birmingham at the age of 37, having never married. In 1876/1877, Henry Hollis registered a limited liability company under the name Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd. However, by 1879, trading resumed under the name Isaac Hollis & Sons, and the London shop moved to 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933, the business operated in London as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair. The final closure of Hollis, Bentley & Playfair occurred in Birmingham in 1953. This firearm serves as an exemplary representation of the type of weapon distributed to the colony’s military forces in 1861. It was specifically manufactured by Isaac Hollis & Sons, a prominent gunmaker of the period, to meet the requirements of military use. Distribution was facilitated through Hebbert & Sons, an established military supplier based in London. Before it arrived in Tasmania, Australia, around 1861, the firearm was likely issued from the Hythe Armoury, which functioned as a British military training facility. Probably, the gun was originally allocated to British troops or police before being transferred for use in the colony. Gun: Percussion Carbine, .577 Cal. Colonial Tasmanian issue Artillery carbine, Pattern 1861. Muzzle-loading "Cap and Ball" musket. Wood stock and ramrod. Inscriptions are on the stock and breech. Gun was made for Herbert & Co., London, by Isaac Hollis & Sons, Birmingham.Stamped on stock "SOLD 95", " ISAAC HOLLIS & SONS" "GUN & PISTOL MANUFACTURES" "BIRMINGHAM" "J ASTON ARMOURER HYTHE" "MANUFACTURED EXPRESSLY FOR HEBBERT & CO LONDON". Stamped on breech "25", and "25C ---05"flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, firearm, gun, percussion, carbine, .577 cal, colonial tasmanian issue, artillery carbine, military gun, pattern 1861, muzzle-loading, muzzle-loading musket, cap and ball, musket, wood stock, 1861, percussion breech-loading guns, richard and william hillis, herbert & co., herbert & co. london, hollis & sons, isaac hollis & sons, isaac hillis & sons ltd., hollis bentley & playfair., isaac hollis, frederick hollis, isaac brentnall sheath, isaac sheath, william tranter, gun manufacturer, pistol manufacturer, gun and pistol maker, birmingham, j aston armourer, hythe, hythe armoury, military supplies

The proof marks on the barrels (a crown and letters BV) denote that the shotgun design was made from the year 1904, and that it was nitro-proof tested in Birmingham, England. David Melville Carrison (1895 to 1960) of Port MacDonnell was the previous owner of this Isaac Hollis & Sons double-barrel shotgun. His grandfather, Adam Kerrison Carrison (1833-1903), was an early settler who worked as a fisherman in that once-bustling seaport. His uncle John was a a horse-breaker, a boat hand, and a member of the lifeboat crew, receiving a medal for his part in saving the crew of a French barque. Currently, no connection has been made between the gun, its owner, and the note with the word “Enterprise”: a New Zealand-built, two-masted schooner that was wrecked in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, in 1950. Gun makers, ISAAC HOLLIS & SONS: The Hollis Brothers were first recorded as operating from 11 Weaman Row in 1840, although evidence suggests the business may have commenced before then. Over time, the firm became known as Isaac Hollis & Sons, with claims of its establishment dating back to 1814. This earlier date is supported by records of Richard and William Hollis trading in Bath Street, Birmingham, between 1814 and 1818, which raises the possibility that Isaac and Frederick Hollis were their descendants. The principal brothers involved in the business were Isaac Hollis, born in 1815, and Frederick Hollis, whose birth date remains unknown. Frederick’s life was cut short when he died on 20 December 1839. According to the 1841 census, Isaac Hollis resided in Weaman Row and was listed as a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker. He was married to Emma, who was born in 1821, and together they had two children: Isaac, born in 1837, and Henry, born in 1839. Following Frederick’s death, Isaac continued to operate under the name Hollis Brothers until 1845, after which he renamed the business Hollis Brothers & Co. This entity remained active up to 1848. In 1844, Isaac Hollis entered a brief partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, likely to fulfil a specific contract or to supply parts. This partnership continued until 1849. In 1848, Isaac Hollis formed a partnership with Isaac Brentnall Sheath, establishing the firm of Hollis & Sheath and expanding their operations into 10 Weaman Row. The partnership saw Hollis & Sheath become licensed manufacturers of percussion breech-loading guns, positioning the company as a notable presence in the industry. In 1861, Sheath left the partnership and emigrated to New Zealand, where he conducted several enterprises and was elected as a provincial councillor. He died in Christchurch on 19th May 1897. In 1861, after Isaac Sheath left, the business name became Isaac Hollis & Sons. By approximately 1870, Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had assumed responsibility for the daily management of the firm, with Isaac overseeing the overall management and marketing of the company's products, and Henry managing the manufacturing processes. During this period, the company became known for producing large volumes of affordable trade guns and sporting guns, catering to customers in South Africa and the British colonies. In 1870, Isaac Hollis & Sons opened a retail location at 44a Cannon Street in London, and in 1871, it operated at 83 Cheapside Street. Isaac Hollis Jnr passed away in October 1875 in Birmingham at the age of 37, having never married. In 1876/1877, Henry Hollis registered a limited liability company under the name Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd. However, by 1879, trading resumed under the name Isaac Hollis & Sons, and the London shop moved to 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933, the business operated in London as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair. The final closure of Hollis, Bentley & Playfair occurred in Birmingham in 1953. The shotgun was manufactured by Isaac Hollis & Sons, a firm with a strong reputation for producing firearms. This early 1900s example represents a standard pattern that was produced in large quantities for everyday use. This double-barrel shotgun is 12-gauge, complete with a cleaning rod and a wooden storage box. The firearm has been altered from its original configuration: the right barrel has been cut shorter, resulting in sharp edges at the muzzle, and a metal extension has been fitted to the stock. The cleaning rod consists of three separate segments that screw together for use. The shotgun is housed in a black-painted wooden case with a hinged lid showing inscriptions for the maker and Serial Number. Maker was I. HOLLIS & SONS, Serial Number SN 84245. David Melville Carrison of Port MacDonnell was the previous owner. A handwritten note that had the word 'Enterprise' was with the gun. "I. HOLLIS & SONS". SN on stock “84245”. Badge on both sides “Crown [symbol] / BV”. “Crown [symbol] / NP”, “12G inside Diamond [symbol]”, “NITRO PROOF”, “STEEL 84245” Paper note included with gun, written in felt tip pen “ENTERPRISE”. flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, firearm, gun, double-barrel, shotgun, cleaning rod, gunsmith, smithed, 12 gauge, sn 84245, serial number 84245, david melville carrison, early 1900s, richard and william hillis, herbert & co., herbert & co. london, hollis & sons, isaac hollis & sons, isaac hillis & sons ltd., hollis bentley & playfair., isaac hollis, frederick hollis, isaac brentnall sheath, isaac sheath, william tranter, gun manufacturer, pistol manufacturer, gun and pistol maker, birmingham, military supplies, enterprise, 1904

Philip Webley was born in 1813, he was the younger brother of James Webley who was born in 1807. Both were born in Birmingham. Towards the end of the 1800s, the firm claimed establishment in 1790, this must have been the date James and Philip's father or grandfather originally established a bullet or gun implement making business. It was not, as is often stated, the date William Davis established his business. Philip Webley was apprenticed in 1827 to Benjamin Watson. James Webley also seems to have been apprenticed but to who is not known. In 1834 James and Philip established their partnership as percussioners, lock filers and gun makers at 7 Weaman Street,Birmingham which was William Davis' old premises Davis, a gun implement maker, mould and toolmaker, died in 1831 and his wife Sarah inherited the business at 84 Weaman Street which she ran with her daughter, Caroline. On 5 January 1838 Philip Webley married Caroline. Philip was recorded at 84 Weaman Street from 1838 as a gun percussioner, lock filer and gun maker and this is when the partnership was last recorded, but the brothers apparently continued to co-operate until 1845 when Philip reportedly sold his interest to James and used the money to purchase Sarah Davis' business. Even then, they worked together particularly about the design and manufacture of percussion revolvers. Philip Webley was recorded in the 1851 census as a 38-year-old gun and pistol implement manufacturer living at 84 Weaman Street with his wife Caroline they had four sons and one daughter Thomas William, Emma, and Philip Jnr, and two other sons, James, and Henry and Philip's cousin, also lived with the family probably as a nurse, Sarah Haywood. On 4 February 1853 Philip Webley registered patent No. 335 for a hinged revolver and on 14 September 1853 he registered patent No. 2127 for improvement for the first muzzle-loading percussion cap and ball revolver which became known as the "Longspur". In 1859 Philips son Thomas William, aged 21, was made a partner in the firm, which then changed its name to P Webley & Son and described itself as "Gun and Pistol Makers and Patent Revolving Pistol Makers", probably exploiting Philip Webley's patent No. 305 of February 1853 for a revolver frame and lock, and its improvement under patent No. 2127 of September 1853. Thomas later went on to managed the shotgun side of the business. From about 1863 up to the First World War, the firm made rook rifles for Holland & Holland. From the 1890s they supplied magazine rifles. In 1863 and 1864 the firm's address was given as 83-84 Weaman Street, but from late 1864 to 1875 their address was 84 Weaman Street. By 1874 the firm had a showroom in London at an unknown address. In 1875 the firm expanded into 82-84 and 88-89 Weaman Street. The item is an early muzzle loading sporting shotgun not in very good condition and is unusable as a firearm and not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of shotguns made by P Webley and Son in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made. Shotgun, black powder, muzzle Loading, double barrel, percussion cap. P Webley & Son maker on left and right lock and P Webley & Son James St London on top of barrel. Barrel split in two. Has 14 stamped under each barrel with Birmingham proof marks for black powder shotguns. on undersides of both barrels. Proof marks used are early metal parts have decorative engravings of a gun dog flushing a birdwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, gun, shotgun, double-barrel shotgun, firearm, muzzel loading shotgun, philip webley, black powder, percussion cap, hunting weapon, birmingham gun manufactures, w & c scott & son

Philip Webley was born in 1813, he was the younger brother of James Webley who was born in 1807. Both were born in Birmingham. Towards the end of the 1800s, the firm claimed establishment in 1790, this must have been the date James and Philip's father or grandfather originally established a bullet or gun implement making business. It was not, as is often stated, the date William Davis established his business. Philip Webley was apprenticed in 1827 to Benjamin Watson. James Webley also seems to have been apprenticed but to who is not known. In 1834 James and Philip established their partnership as percussioners, lock filers and gun makers at 7 Weaman Street,Birmingham which was William Davis' old premises Davis, a gun implement maker, mould and toolmaker, died in 1831 and his wife Sarah inherited the business at 84 Weaman Street which she ran with her daughter, Caroline. On 5 January 1838 Philip Webley married Caroline. Philip was recorded at 84 Weaman Street from 1838 as a gun percussioner, lock filer and gun maker and this is when the partnership was last recorded, but the brothers apparently continued to co-operate until 1845 when Philip reportedly sold his interest to James and used the money to purchase Sarah Davis' business. Even then, they worked together particularly about the design and manufacture of percussion revolvers. Philip Webley was recorded in the 1851 census as a 38-year-old gun and pistol implement manufacturer living at 84 Weaman Street with his wife Caroline they had four sons and one daughter Thomas William, Emma, and Philip Jnr, and two other sons, James, and Henry and Philip's cousin, also lived with the family probably as a nurse, Sarah Haywood. On 4 February 1853 Philip Webley registered patent No. 335 for a hinged revolver and on 14 September 1853 he registered patent No. 2127 for improvement for the first muzzle-loading percussion cap and ball revolver which became known as the "Longspur". In 1859 Philips son Thomas William, aged 21, was made a partner in the firm, which then changed its name to P Webley & Son and described itself as "Gun and Pistol Makers and Patent Revolving Pistol Makers", probably exploiting Philip Webley's patent No. 305 of February 1853 for a revolver frame and lock, and its improvement under patent No. 2127 of September 1853. Thomas later went on to managed the shotgun side of the business. From about 1863 up to the First World War, the firm made rook rifles for Holland & Holland. From the 1890s they supplied magazine rifles. In 1863 and 1864 the firm's address was given as 83-84 Weaman Street, but from late 1864 to 1875 their address was 84 Weaman Street. By 1874 the firm had a showroom in London at an unknown address. In 1875 the firm expanded into 82-84 and 88-89 Weaman Street. The shotgun is not in very good condition is unusable as a firearm and is not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of shotguns made by P Webley and Son in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made. Pin fire double barrel cartridge loading shotgun, the stock is of varnished walnut, the shotgun is in a wooden box, box has hinged lid and dovetail joints. Raised inscription on butt has an image of "dog carrying a bird in his mouth" and another image of a "anchor and chain". Inscribed to both sides of the locks "P Webley and Son", Maker's mark and proof marks for black powder shotguns on undersides of both barrels. Proof marks used are for Birmingham. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shotgun double barrel, double barrel, bird dog and bird, anchor and chain, webley & scott, pin fire, cartridge, philip webley

Rollin White was an American gunsmith who invented a single shot bored-through revolver cylinder that allowed paper cartridges to be loaded from the rear of a revolver's cylinder. Wen his patent expired the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company started working on its own metallic cartridge revolvers. Thus, after having introduced its first rear-loading pistols in 1871 the (Colt House/Cloverleaf revolver) and the 1872 (Colt Open Top revolver), in 1873 Colt launched the Colt Peacemaker along with a new line of pocket revolvers, sorted in five different calibers (.22, .30, .32, .38, .41 cal). Since it was an entirely new line of revolvers this model was called the Colt New Line. Circa 1884-1886 (the .32 cal was only made during 1873-1884). Submerged by the company's competitors' cheaper imitations and refusing to introduce a lower quality among its own firearms to match its competitors, the Colt company dropped the line and ceased production.The Colt New Line was one of the first metallic cartridge rear-loading revolvers manufactured by Colt. It demonstrates the evolution of firearm production and development of firearms as manufacturers moved away from percussion muzzle-loading firearms to those that would accept cartridges. That incorporated the bullet, propellant and primer all within a brass cylinder allowing the projectile to be loaded directly into a pistols cylinder, or a rifle magazine. Pistol or handgun, Colt New Line revolver, single action five shot spur trigger. The rimfire revolver is .32 calibre. It has a black handle. There maker's name is impressed into the textured handle and the name and model is impressed onto the barrel. Made by Colt.Inscriptions on side of barrel and top "No 18842", "Colt New .32" . On top "Colt's FT.F.AMFG.CC Hartford.Ct.USA"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, revolver, colt, colt new line revolver, cartridge casing, cartridge, new line revolver, pistol, matalic cartridge, firearm, rollin white, new line, hand gun, single shot

This cap gun was found by a local Warrnambool resident in about 1971. Cap guns first appeared following the end of the American Civil War in the mid-1860s, when firearms companies experimented with toy guns to stay in business. Cap guns became especially popular when the heroes of cinema and television rode through the West ridding the territories of villains. Many cap guns were named after or endorsed by leading matinee idols like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, Tonto, Dale Evans, Marshal Matt Dillon, or any of countless others. Cap guns became popular after the second world war and children all over the world emulated their heroes and collected and played with these toy guns. Eventually all of the famous cap gun manufacturers either sold out to other toy companies or started manufacturing other types of toys. Before it was deemed dangerous or politically incorrect for young children to point pistols at each other and fire at will, cap guns were a staple of toy chests. The item demonstrates how society has changed its attitudes and now regard these types of toys as morally unacceptable as they tend to promote violent attitudes towards others. The item demonstrates significantly how our societies social attitudes have changed since world war two from general societal acceptance of such toys to one of distaste.Toy gun; cap gun. Cast iron toy pistol with metal trigger. Name "National" in raised embossing in the casting on the handle on both sides of the gun. Made in 1911."National" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, toys, cap gun, national fireworks distrubuting company, toy guns, toy pistol

WW1 & 2 German Hebel flare pistol. The term Hebel (German "lever") referred to the pistol's lever-action, not the manufacturer. The lever in front of the trigger guard was flipped up and forward to open the breech.BP 3926 on left and unreadable markings on the right.ww1, ww2, german, first world war, second world war, world war one, world war 2, flare pistol

A 1942-dated holster marked M S & U Ltd was produced by the Montreal Suspender and Umbrella Ltd in Canada, a key wartime manufacturer. These typically include Canadian P37 Mk.I holsters or RAF/RCAF pistol holsters. History of item unknown.Green khaki canvas holster with flap secured by metal fastener. Three brass belt clips attached at back.Inside flap - MS&U Ltd.1942holster, ww2