A gem made by Gem

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Stu



Yes, it has a Beaumont Adams silhouette, but with a few alterations, both in body as also in assembly, with some "luxury" optionals.
And it is obviously a 54 bore caliber and not 58 as i first mentioned.



The only mark in the mould is the caliber digits 54. The powder flask is marked Bartram.



Well, not propperly as retailer in the generical sense. It took me five years to find out that Mr Edward Gem was one of a number of Birmingham Gunmakers and dealers who became a shareholder in the founding on the Birmingham small arms Co Ltd.
He has also been a factor for a number of Birmingham makers; i guess in a sense that, at a certain stage there were several "workshops" in Birmingham, making loose weapons parts, that were later assembled by those that sold the guns to the market ... retailers, governments and other.



I ignore if ever there was a Trade Label; some ignorant, thinking he was doing the right thing, has painted the whole case interior with some thick plastic paint, thus covering all traces of a possible label. One of these things you will never know the reason for.



As introduced above, i don't think this was the case; more probably a "white line" specimen or, which also took place in those days, a customized and or personalized specimen, ordered with instructions not to bring any maker's codes.



Yes, both Birmingham and London proof marks on both cylinder and barrel



Well, they are not all junk

Fernando

Hi Fernando,
I had noticed a few differences between this item and the Beaumont Adams. The most noticable to me was the way on which the cylinder release pin was held. The Beaumont has a screw on the side of the frame rather than underneath as this one has.
The TRUE Adams mould has an oval shaped stamp with Adams name and the bore size--not just the bore number.
I am intrigued that you say that this has both London AND Birmingham Proof marks. MOST unusual in my opinion. Any pics?
Regards Stu