Tower of London Shotgun

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1854

Overview

This firearm is a 16 gauge calibre double-barrelled percussion muzzle-loading shotgun. The shotgun features a wooden stock, and a ferrous metal lock plate, barrel and hammer. The trigger and butt plate feature a gold or copper coloured metal, possibly plated. The ramrod is missing. The gun features a number of makers marks, including the royal cypher, a crown, and a broad arrow motif. Marks (all marks are engraved): On lock plate, on both sides: Royal Cypher: Crown over 'VR/TOWER - 1854' and crown with arrow (smaller). On barrel, near screw near hammer: crown over 'B/15'. Under barrels: First barrel: 'JS' then Crown over 'TP'/ upside-down broad arrow/ 'B/ 7'/ Crown/ upside-down broad arrow then 'MITT WAR'.Second barrel: Crown over 'TP'/ upside-down broad arrow/ 'B/ 7'/ Crown/ upside-down broad arrow then 'HC [illeg.]'.The firearm has been assessed to be unserviceable, but is complete and has not been rendered.

Historical information

Donated to the Fremantle Prison collection in 2022 from the donor's wife's uncle.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-89-2022.4

Item type

Weapons

Material

Ferrous Metal

Wood

Inscriptions and markings

Royal Cypher: Crown over 'VR/TOWER - 1854' and crown with arrow (smaller). Crown over 'B/15', 'JS' then Crown over 'TP'/ upside-down broad arrow/ 'B/ 7'/ Crown/ upside-down broad arrow then 'MITT WAR'. Crown over 'TP'/ upside-down broad arrow/ 'B/ 7'/ Crown/ upside-down broad arrow then 'HC [illeg.]'.

Contextual information

Based on the shotgun’s makers marks, it was manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1854, for use in the British military. The Tower make of shotgun was typically sent to British Colonies and Colonial Governments for use in an official capacity in police or in prisons. Many arms marked with the Tower mark were made by subcontractor firms and delivered to the Tower who then marked them, so the marks may be a combination of contractor and Tower marks. There is no definitive evidence to be able to state that the shotgun has provenance to Fremantle Prison, however, based on the makers marks present and other known examples, the shotgun seems to be Tower produced.

The Prison’s entry complex was built between 1854 and 1855 and records state that rifles were positioned at the slot windows of the gatehouse at this time for defence. A letter to the editor published in The West Australian newspaper on Saturday June 10, 1899 spoke of unsafe gun carrying practices at the Prison, but it referred specifically to single barrel breeching-loading duck guns. During the twentieth century Fremantle Prison had an armoury, with a dedicated armourer who was responsible for all firearms. The armourer trained Prison Warders in the correct and safe use of firearms and supervised their practice sessions. Such instruction was carried out in an area known as the Rifle Range, located at the rear of the West Workshops. In later years gun towers were built and the perimeter walls were extended and reinforced with razor wire to make the prison escape-proof. Despite all efforts, escape attempts were numerous, frequent and often successful.

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

1854

Last modified

Tuesday, 25 August, 2026

Completeness

100

Item feedback

Fremantle Prison