G. Kynoch and Co
From Graces Guide
Kynoch Limited of Lion Works, Witton, Birmingham
- 1860s Started making percussion caps for ammunition
- 1870s Moved to the Lion Works
- c1910 Acquired Holford Mills that had formerly been the National Arms and Ammunition Co. In 1888 the mill was taken by the Gatling Gun Co for a short time. Later taken over by Accles to make guns but they failed in 1901.
- WWI Took over the Birmingham Metals and Munitions Co
- 1919 Company taken over by Nobel Industries
- 1926/29 Taken over by ICI
- 1932 Installed a hot rolling mill
- 1953 A plant for surface milling hot-rolled brass strip
- 1964 Installed a new Sendzimer mill
Motorcycles
- Produced motorcycles from 1904 to 1913
- 1900 Illustrated pamphlet describing the patent roller bearing for shafting
- 1904 They began with a model fitted with a 2.75hp engine and chain drive. They also built a couple of machines for Hayden, with fuel carried in the frame tubes. The machine also had rear suspension and was powered by a Simms engine.
- For several years there was no more mention of Kynoch.
- 1912 The firm re-appeared with a model fitted with a 3.5hp JAP or Precision engine, BSA two-speed gear or free-engine option, and Druid forks.
- 1913 Only JAP engines were used, either a 4hp single or a 6hp twin, driving a Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub gear. The machine had belt final drive and the single was also listed with direct-belt drive.
Sources of Information
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
- The Engineer of 18th May 1900 p527
- Birmingham’s Industrial Heritage by Ray Shill. Published by Sutton Publishing 2002. ISBN 0-7509-2593-0