Collection GB 0074 CLC/L/GI - WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GUNMAKERS

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 CLC/L/GI

Title

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GUNMAKERS

Date(s)

  • 1637-1993 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

180 production units

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Makers of guns were members of a number of livery companies (such as the Blacksmiths' Company), until the Gunmakers' Company was established by charter in 1637/8. Its jurisdiction covered London and a ten mile radius, and all persons making, using or selling small arms in that area were obliged to submit them to the Company for examination and marking. This process was known as "trial and proof" and was carried out at the Proof House established by the Company in Whitechapel. A Hall adjoining the Proof House was built in 1872 and sold in 1927.

Archival history

GB 0074 CLC/L/GI 1637-1993 Collection 180 production units Worshipful Company of Gunmakers

Makers of guns were members of a number of livery companies (such as the Blacksmiths' Company), until the Gunmakers' Company was established by charter in 1637/8. Its jurisdiction covered London and a ten mile radius, and all persons making, using or selling small arms in that area were obliged to submit them to the Company for examination and marking. This process was known as "trial and proof" and was carried out at the Proof House established by the Company in Whitechapel. A Hall adjoining the Proof House was built in 1872 and sold in 1927.

The archive of the Gunmakers' Company has been deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1948. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The records have been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.

Records of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, 1637-1993, including registers of freedom admissions and apprentice bindings from 1656. Other records include Court minute books; correspondence; charter and ordinance book; papers relating to property; financial accounts; quarterage books; correspondence, notices and reports concerning new and amended proof rules; papers relating to relevant Parliamentary legislation; proof house ledgers and other papers and papers relating to court cases.

PLEASE NOTE: MS 21375 IS SUBJECT TO A 25 YEAR CLOSURE PERIOD.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.

To assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows: A: Constitutional records, B: Court records, C: Membership records; D: Financial records, E: Trade records, F: Clerk's records, G: Charities and estates.

Restricted access: please see staff.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries. For further information please see LMA Research Guide "Consulting Archives at Guildhall Library", available at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm

Copyright: Depositor.
English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For further information relating to Livery Companies, particularly using the company records for family history, please see Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Livery Company Membership Guide" and Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Leaflet Guides to Records: Searching for Members or those apprenticed to Members of City of London Livery Companies" (both available online).

For a general introduction to the history of the City of London Livery Companies please see entry in The London Encyclopaedia, ed Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Oct-09 London England UK Western Europe Europe City of London People by roles Worshipful Company of Gunmakers Freemen Organizations Associations Guilds Trade guilds People People by occupation Personnel Skilled personnel Metal workers Gunsmiths Military equipment Weapons Firearms Guns Information sources Documents Apprenticeship records Freedom admissions Freedom of a city Rights and privileges Administration of justice Equipment

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The archive of the Gunmakers' Company has been deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library at various dates since 1948. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The records have been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, 1637-1993, including registers of freedom admissions and apprentice bindings from 1656. Other records include Court minute books; correspondence; charter and ordinance book; papers relating to property; financial accounts; quarterage books; correspondence, notices and reports concerning new and amended proof rules; papers relating to relevant Parliamentary legislation; proof house ledgers and other papers and papers relating to court cases.

PLEASE NOTE: MS 21375 IS SUBJECT TO A 25 YEAR CLOSURE PERIOD.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

To assist the user, the catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows: A: Constitutional records, B: Court records, C: Membership records; D: Financial records, E: Trade records, F: Clerk's records, G: Charities and estates.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Restricted access: please see staff.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries. For further information please see LMA Research Guide "Consulting Archives at Guildhall Library", available at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright: Depositor.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area