The epicentre of gunmaking
The hammers rang and the acrid odour of coal fires permeated the air in what was then the epicentre of the world’s gunmaking industry, in the industrial area north of Birmingham city centre.
“What we now call the Gun Quarter was the nucleation point for gunmaking in Birmingham,” said David Williams, honorary historical consultant at Royal Armouries and emeritus professor at Loughborough University. “It is an example of what economists call an industrial district, a concentration of skills and capabilities in a location that is internationally important. Gunmaking really started to grow in Birmingham towards the end of the 17th century as William III grew his standing army.”
Opportunity
Sensing an opportunity to supply muskets to this growing military force, Sir Richard Newdigate, local MP and baronet, put forth the idea of gunmaking. Thus, on 5 January 1693, the ‘Officers of Ordnance’ approved a contract for
