Thomas Osborn
of Bordesley Mills, Birmingham
1807 Advert (same T. Osborn?) 'T. OSBORN, Gun-maker and Rifler to the Hon. the Board of Ordnance, returns his most unfeigned Thanks to his numerous Friends and a generous Public, for the distinguished Patronage which he has uniformly experienced, and earnestly, but respectfully, requests a Continuance of their Favours. Averse to ostentatious Statements, and the Parade of Advertisements, he merely begs Leave to inform Noblemen and Gentlemen who are in Want of Rifle Guns, that they may be supplied with them on the most reasonable Terms, and of superior Workmanship, either at his Manufactory in New-street, or through the Medium of the principal Gun-makers in Town and Country. The Grooves in his Barrels are cut in such a true spiral Form, that A Plug of Lead, cast the whole Length of the Barrel, will invariably pass through without injuring or galling the Ribs, and may likewise be passed through all the Grooves alternately. Speciments of the Work may be seen by any Gentleman desirous of ascertaining the above Facts. T. Osborn likewise constructs Air Guns on a Principle superior to any ever offered to the Public, in Respect of Power, Neatness, and Effect. '[1]
1835 'BORDESLEY MILLS, BIRMINGHAM.
THOMAS OSBORN begs most respectfully to thank those parties who have given him their support since the decease of his late brother, Henry Osborn, and to inform them and the Public generally, that he has made arrangements for carrying on the Trades of SWORD-CUTLER and GUN-MANUFACTURER in all their branches, for the joint benefit of himself and sisters, and assures them that all orders entrusted to him shall have his strictest attention. October 10, 1835.'[2]