Private Tour of The Birmingham Proof House

Today we will have a comprehensive private tour of The Birmingham Proof House.

On arrival we will be served tea or coffee and biscuits in the main boardroom. We will then receive a talk and visual presentation relating to the history of the Birmingham Proof House and the evolution of the gun and ammunition trades, focusing on the Birmingham Gun Trade.

Following the introductory talk we will receive a guided tour of the site, examining each of the areas dedicated to the proving of arms and testing of ammunition.

The tour includes the Museum Pattern Rooms: the first devoted to the history and evolution of small arms, with reference to former Birmingham manufacturers; the second relates to small arms ammunition and the ammunition trade. There is a reference collection devoted to small arms which have been subject to incident, either through misuse in the field or have failed during the proofing process due to weakness or poor workmanship. The tour guide provides a running commentary on each area and items of interest.

The Birmingham Proof House Museum and its Arms & Ammunition Pattern Rooms can trace their history back to 1858 when Mr Greener, a renowned and innovative Birmingham Gunmaker, held a meeting at the Birmingham Town Hall to establish a collection of firearms at the Proof House.

As part of the Proof House's wider brief for small arms safety in general, organised tours began in 1997. These tours ensure that the historical development and heritage of small arms and ammunition, particularly that relating to Birmingham, is properly preserved and accessible.