H. Adkin & Sons "The Demon" 12 Gauge Cartridge

A wonderfully named H. Adkin & Sons “The Demon” 12-bore sporting cartridge, supplied by the historic Bedford gunmaking firm.

Henry Adkin established his gunmaking business in Bedford during the 1840s. His sons later joined the business and, around 1890, the firm became known as Adkin & Sons, operating from its distinctive premises at 57 High Street, Bedford.

“The Demon” was one of several proprietary shotgun cartridge names associated with Adkin & Sons. Other recorded house brands included the Ajax and Reliance. These cartridges were principally encountered in 12 bore and examples are known to have been manufactured for the firm by Eley.

With its particularly evocative Victorian-style “Demon” trade name, the cartridge is an appealing survivor of the period when provincial British gunmakers supplied sporting ammunition carrying their own distinctive branding.

An unusual piece of Bedfordshire gunmaking and British sporting history, particularly attractive to collectors of provincial gunmaker and named shotgun cartridges.

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