Birmingham's Proof House

Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House The growth of gun making in London led in 1637 to the incorporation by Royal Charter of the London Company of Gunmakers. This Charter marked the introduction of “proof” into England. Similarly in Birmingham, with a population at this time of only 4000, there was a flourishing trade of guns. The reputable gunmakers of Birmingham had set themselves a high standard for material and workmanship and were eager to submit their products to an independent. compulsory proof test as available to the London Trade.
	The Birmingham Proof House was established in 1813, by Act of Parliament, it was requested and obtained by the Birmingham Trade at its own expense. Almost 200 years later the purpose of the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House remains essentially unchanged and is able to offer many additional services to that of proof. Inside this historical & unique institute are assembled a store of documents and artifacts of real interest and today the Museum has been established
and dedicated to the gun trade and ammunition trade of the Birmingham area. The aim was to ensure that something is retained of a trade which was a founding trade of this City and which played such an important role in its development and evolution. The Museum now houses a collection of artifacts relating to the trade and to proof, and organised tours can be arranged via the Proof Master. The Proof House Banbury Street, Birmingham B5 5RH >website

Birmingham's Gun Barrel proof House