Stolen gun trade treasures

Shooting Times

October 10, 2010

Several artefacts connected with the renowned Birmingham gunmaker William Ford have been stolen from the property of his descendant John Ford at Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. The burglary took place on the evening of Tuesday, 7 September between the hours of 8.30pm and 9.45pm.

Among the items taken were gold medals (1in to 2in in diameter) given to William Ford for making fine sporting guns and barrel boring. Many were gifts from the Crown heads of Europe of that time, including one in the shape of a Victoria Cross and two silver match holders inscribed with markings copied from Ford?s guns. Most items have William Ford?s name inscribed on them.

John Ford said: ?All of these items are irreplaceable and we would like to appeal to anyone interested in the history of fieldsports, should they hear about any of the items mentioned, to get in touch with detective sergeant Stuart Findlater at Sutton Coldfield Police station (tel 0345 113 5000 and quote crime reference number 78426756).?

The rest of this article appears in 6th October issue of Shooting Times.