G. R. Bourne guns and tackle.

[Smellydog]

Of Newcastle under Lyme.
Closed many years ago, early nineties.
Spent many an hour in there.
Geoff had his own range of cartridges made.
I always looked down on them but I was wrong too. Eventually I tried some and was pleasantly surprised. So I bought hundreds before he closed up.
Anyway, now and then some will crop up in an estate sale etc just like this one.

Notice the phone number is not starting 01....!
When did the change over happen?

It's kind of sad but it does induce good memories of my youth.
Anyone here remember the gun shop in Newcastle under Lyme?

 

[webley701]

I do.

I wonder how many we can add to the list of those no longer around in north Staffordshire?

Tom Cooper in Hanley.
Practical Weaponry, Bucknall New Road
I think it was Riley’s at Halmer End
There used to be a small shop specialising in muzzle loading also not too far from Audley

Just over the county border there was Jenks (latterly owned Robert Worthington) in Nantwich.
Hamer Grocott in Alsager

 

[Greenmist]

When did the change over happen?

1995

 

[Smellydog]

I do.

I wonder how many we can add to the list of those no longer around in north Staffordshire?

Tom Cooper in Hanley.
Practical Weaponry, Bucknall New Road
I think it was Riley’s at Halmer End
There used to be a small shop specialising in muzzle loading also not too far from Audley

Just over the county border there was Jenks (latterly owned Robert Worthington) in Nantwich.
Hamer Grocott in Alsager

Yes, I remember those.
There was also reloading supplies in Newcastle.
Trent firearms. Steve Jones, or Jonesy we called him.
The muzzleloading shop was in Audley. I remember it full of moulds on shelves.

 

[Greenmist]

Streatham Armoury was another, and Pat Walker Guns (Gateshead) who always had an impressive advert in Guns Review, another blast from the past

 

[PeterHenry]

I do.

I wonder how many we can add to the list of those no longer around in north Staffordshire?

Tom Cooper in Hanley.
Practical Weaponry, Bucknall New Road
I think it was Riley’s at Halmer End
There used to be a small shop specialising in muzzle loading also not too far from Audley

Just over the county border there was Jenks (latterly owned Robert Worthington) in Nantwich.
Hamer Grocott in Alsager

Fairly sure Rileys is still in Hamler End as a hardware shop - I know it's been bought out, but you could still buy cartridges and decoys, etc the last time I went in (a year or so ago).

I've also got a pair of Grocott's snapcaps somewhere, and a pair from Hopkins in Sandbach (who are still there) - as well as various other bits and bobs of Hopkins ephemera (cartridges, cleaning patches, trade lables, etc)

 

[webley701]

Fairly sure Rileys is still in Hamler End as a hardware shop - I know it's been bought out, but you could still buy cartridges and decoys, etc the last time I went in (a year or so ago).

I've also got a pair of Grocott's snapcaps somewhere, and a pair from Hopkins in Sandbach (who are still there) - as well as various other bits and bobs of Hopkins ephemera (cartridges, cleaning patches, trade lables, etc)

Hopkins (Gunmakers) are still in business, (as you say), hence excluded from my list of 'gone but not forgotten'.

The list of hardware & fishing tackle shops who used sell cartridges would be almost endless - happy days when they were with us.

 

[PeterHenry]

Also - before my time - but I'm told one of the barber's in Alsager - Frank Steel - use to to sell ammunition and fishing tackle in his shop.

 

[Smellydog]

I remember stopping in the village of Woore as a 19year old and noticed a hardware store so called in.
Walked out with some Viri 410 2&1/2" cartridges.

 

[enfieldspares]

Yes, I remember those.
There was also reloading supplies in Newcastle.
Trent firearms. Steve Jones, or Jonesy we called him.
The muzzleloading shop was in Audley. I remember it full of moulds on shelves.

I remember Steve Jines, yes, a very nice man he was too.

 

[Stevie/P]

I remember Steve Jines, yes, a very nice man he was too.

Was that the one in stoke everything in a converted garage. Entrance was via the kitchen door. went there couple of times very well stocked as I remember and a very helpful man sure his name was Steve.

 

[Smellydog]

Was that the one in stoke everything in a converted garage. Entrance was via the kitchen door. went there couple of times very well stocked as I remember and a very helpful man sure his name was Steve.

That was the chap. Took him shooting a few times.
He was a good smith and had a good workshop out back.
He made a revolver from scratch a long long time ago.

 

[Stevie/P]

That was the chap. Took him shooting a few times.
He was a good smith and had a good workshop out back.
He made a revolver from scratch a long long time ago.

Last I heard he’d passed away really sad news I’ve visited a couple of times when returning home from Scotland his reloading supplies was very reasonably priced always had a good selection of shooting related items in stock didn’t know he was a smith as well so sad of his passing

 

[Smellydog]

Last I heard he’d passed away really sad news I’ve visited a couple of times when returning home from Scotland his reloading supplies was very reasonably priced always had a good selection of shooting related items in stock didn’t know he was a smith as well so sad of his passing

Yes, several years ago now. He had tongue and throat cancer.
It was advanced.
Last time I visited he said thank you for my trade and friendship and there was a tear in his eyes. That's when I realised it was bad.
I often wonder about his wife Joan.

 

[MTheaded but happy]

A real blast from the past would be Wheater's Gunshop at the top of Anlaby Road in Hull . It was owned by Joe Wheater , a true legend .

 

[SimpleSimon]

1995

Bizarre coincidence, I was just asking my wife today if she remembered the extra 1 being added to area codes. Not something I'd have given any thought to, just popped into my head and just a few hours later there's someone else talking about the same thing.

 

[Greenmist]

Bizarre coincidence, I was just asking my wife today if she remembered the extra 1 being added to area codes. Not something I'd have given any thought to, just popped into my head and just a few hours later there's someone else talking about the same thing.

I remember tradesmens having to change their van signage and business phone numbers, then again a few years later and again a few years after that

 

[75]

Are they Hull Cartridge shells? They ran an offer sometime in the early 80s (ish) where you could your own design printed onto their cartridges (for trade customers). My dad had his own design done on Three Crowns and sold them through his shop for many years. I’ve still a box or two knocking around somewhere.

 

[bluesako]

steve jones trent firearms he was a great guy his shop had everything in it rip ste

 

[Wsm]

Geoff Bourne is long retired and living happily in France

Steve Jones passed away around six years ago.I knew Steve and Joan for a long time and I was responsible for winding down his shop which was heart breaking Joan passed away a couple of years ago

Trent Firearms was a Gold Mine for reloaders and anyone needing an obsolete gun part.A place like which we'll probably never see again