Author: Williams, David

Source: Arms & Armour, Volume 6, Number 2, October 2009 , pp. 105-139(35)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

Neal and Back identify that, in 1808, Maudsley, of 78 Margaret Street, was appointed Primer Magazine Maker to the Forsyth Patent Gun Company. Blackmore confirms in a short entry in A Dictionary of London Gunmakers that Henry Maudslay/Maudsley supplied the company with magazine primers. Henry Maudslay was the most influential mechanical engineer of his generation and his factory formed the nursery for many later engineering greats. This connection between Alexander Forsyth and his new company with Maudslay and his company is therefore significant. Determining how these two giants may have interacted and how Maudslay may have influenced the design and manufacture of the new percussion ignition systems is of interest. This interest is increased when we read that Forsyth observes in one of his letters to James Brougham, the day-to-day manager of the business, that 'Maudsley's account is most unreasonable in every respect'. In order to understand where Maudslay may have influenced the design and the detail of their manufacture, it is necessary to examine the early evolution of Forsyth's percussion ignition devices. These are primarily those of the Reid Bequest of 1929 held in the Royal Armouries and those collected by Colonel Colt. As it has been two hundred years since their original creation this requires careful object study to establish the chronology of the objects and obtain an insight into the relationship between Forsyth and Maudslay and their innovations.

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/174962609X417563

Affiliations: Honorary Historical Consultant, Royal Armouries; Professor, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University

Publication date: 2009-10-01

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