|
Benjamin Wild & Son Gunmakers
est.1940
Specializes in action work
Brian Boucker, who served his apprentice with Benjamin Wild & Son 25 years ago is still employed on stock refurbishments as well
as carrying out ejector work and general repairs. Colin specializes in action work, re-jointing and tightening guns.
Nowadays about 75% of Benjamin Wild’s repair work is for the gun trade in the UK and the remainder for private customers.
Sometimes they black up to 200 pairs of barrels a month.
Much has changed in Birmingham’s gun quarter during the last 40 years, but Benjamin Wild & Son have diversified and survived.
There is something rather special about having your gun repairs carried out in an area that was once world famous for such work and by a firm who were once an integral part of gunmaking tradition.
Benjamin Wild are one of the remaining links with that illustrious past. Long may they continue.
Their charges are very reasonable for high-class gun work. Barrel Blacking costs about£73, raising dents and polishing£49.
Altering both chokes, something that is often necessary for those using steel shot is just £49. An action can be stripped and cleaned also for £49. All charges are plus V.A.T.
They have an extensive showroom comprising shotguns, air-rifles and air-pistols, as well as a full range of accessories.
In their gunmaking days Benjamin Wild & Son built guns worthy of note and this feature would not be complete without a mention
of their high quality craftsmanship.
One of the last Wild guns was made in 1976, a fine boxlock ejector, engraved by Ronnie Collins who later emigrated to USA to
continue his work there. This gun was a 12-bore boxlock ejector with 28” barrels, chambered for 2 ¾-inch cartridges, and choked ¼” and ¾”. Pyramids were added by Collins.
The stock is of fine quality walnut and the gun came in an original maker’s case, together with accessories. A beautiful example
of both Wild’s and Collin’s work, this is also a fitting tribute to the Birmingham gun trade and a lasting reminder of a tradition which would surely have continued had the area not been ripped
apart by development projects.
For further information and quotes for gun repairs, contact
My thanks to Colin Wild for his co-operation in this compilation of a short history of one of Birmingham’s few remaining well-
known gunmaking firms.
|
