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Billinghurst history (1807 - 1880)

 Billinghurst
Letter from William Billinghurst

The name goes back to the gunmaker William Billinghurst (1807 - 1880). He was born 10th February 1807 in Brighton Monroe County New York. He worked in Rochester in the US state of New York.

Weapons of this type were made by him in the time of the US Civil War (1861 - 1865) and belonged to the best within the states of New England.
In addition to his high-quality craft weapons, Billinghurst also sold fishing equipment. He was also very successful in this field. In August 1859, he obtained a patent for a string roll which can be attached on the side of the rod.


from "American Gun Makers" by Arkadi Gluckmann

A special feature for that time was that he partly equipped his models with rifle scopes, but also false muzzles were used by him.

Of particular interest is the fact that he worked with very few functional parts, but still managed to make weapons which shot perfectly.

Around 1823, he started as to learn his trade with the gunsmith Joseph Medbury.
In the year 1827, he moved near to Rochester, New York and worked there for the gunsmiths James and John Millar.
In 1841, he bought the company and patents from the Millars and earned a good reputation for his repeating gun.
His revolver rifles were in demand, as they were made in the highest manufacturing quality.

William Billinghurst revolver rifle

He sold rifles to Don Pedro d'Alcantara, the Emperor of Brazil and the Maharajah of Bombay, among others.

Underhammer weapons were made by him in the time before the US Civil War (1861 - 1865) and belonged in the states of New England to the best. His underhammer pistols were very often weapons with heavy and partly 12 to 18 inch long barrels. A further speciality was the part equipping of this model with scopes, false muzzles and rifle stocks.
Particularly interesting is the fact that he managed with very few function parts and still manufactured weapons which shot perfectly.

Billinghurst sold, in addition to his high-quality craft weapons, equipment for fishing. He was also very successful in this field. On 9th August 1859, he received a patent for his spinning reel which could be attached to the side of the rod.
William Billinghurst Fishing Reel

He dies on 3rd March 1880 in Rochester Monroe County New York, USA

Grabstein Billinghurst
Copyright: Alan Ladd



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