W. Horton & Sons – Gunmakers of Birmingham and Glasgow Founded in the heart of Birmingham’s famed Gun Quarter in the mid-18th century, W. Horton & Sons earned an enviable reputation as one of Britain’s most respected provincial gunmakers. Later establishing a presence in Glasgow, the firm supplied discerning sportsmen across the United Kingdom and the Empire with bespoke sporting arms of the highest order. Renowned for their best-quality sidelocks, robust boxlocks and elegant double rifles, Horton guns exemplify the craftsmanship for which Birmingham was once the world’s armoury. Many feature distinctive touches – from finely executed engraving to superior balance and handling – placing them firmly in the tradition of British “best guns†while remaining highly practical in the field. Horton’s Glasgow showroom allowed Scottish sportsmen access to the firm’s London-rival quality without the metropolitan price tag, cementing the company’s reputation for quality, value, and innovation. Surviving examples of W. Horton & Sons shotguns and rifles remain keenly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the combination of Birmingham workmanship and rich heritage. Whether as a fine investment or a working game gun, a Horton embodies the romance of Britain’s sporting past. Each piece speaks of a time when craftsmanship, heritage and performance were inextricably linked – making W. Horton & Sons a name rightly celebrated among the great gunmakers of Birmingham and Glasgow.
