Based in Summer Lane, Birmingham, Lincoln Jeffries have established their name through the production of numerous airgun pellets.
The renowned Marksman Pellets are still manufactured by the company under the guidance of brothers Lincoln David and Alan Jeffries. The business holds a long history in firearms innovation and are now the last remaining pellet manufacturer in the UK.
But refusing to rest on their laurels, the brands continues to branch out and most recently released the Marksman Target Pellets, ideal for rotary magazine air pistols. The entry-level plinkers start from just £3 a tin and help make up the expansive range.
Britain’s Last Pellet Manufacturer
The brothers are also the great-grandsons of George Lincoln Jeffries, inventor of the famous Lincoln air rifle. However the brand is now most recognised for their range of round head and pointed pellets, covering calibres of .177, .22 and .25.
The distinctive and strikingly colourful boxes that case Marksman pellets are supplied across the world, as far afield as Australia and South Africa. Nevertheless, the business holds onto its British roots. First established in 1873 at Whittall Street, Lincoln Jeffries began by producing sporting rifles and award winning single and double barrelled shotguns.
15 years later the business relocated to a larger premises at 48 Whittall Street – it was here that the brand started designing and manufacturing air rifles. As the company continued to grow in stature, a second move materialised. This time George took his business to 121 Steelhouse Lane and began production of the world-famous ‘Lincoln Air Rifle’.
In the early stages of the 1900’s Lincoln Jeffries started complimenting their popular airguns with a range of lead pellets and steel flighted darts under the names Lincoln, Target, Match and Bisley. The latter took its name from the Bisley Rifle Meeting of 1905 in which King Edward VII declared the Lincoln-patent air rifle as ‘very ingenious’.
After George Jeffries retired in 1912, air rifle pellets continued to be made by his sons, but it was not until the 1930’s that his grandsons, Len (Lincoln) and Arthur, began to produce pellets under the brand name ‘British Marksman’ – these would eventually become known simply as ‘Marksman’.
As well as establishing a smooth side air rifle slug, known as the Target, Len and Arthur continued to produce .177, .22 and .25 pellets until 1960. Then, due to the redevelopment of Birmingham, they were forced to relocate to their current premises on Summer Lane.
Throughout the 1950 and 60s the brand established itself as a leading name. Huge quantities were distributed to Canada, Australia and South Africa, but also remained popular in Britain. By the 1970s it was estimated that 25 million pellets per week were manufactured to meet demands.
The popularity of the instantly recognisable Marksman, in their red, white and blue packaging continued, even with the introduction of the .22 Marksman pointed pellets in 1983 and .177 version four years later.
For more information on Marksman and their range of air gun products visit: http://marksmanpellets.com/products/ or find Marksman GB on Facebook.
To discuss becoming a stockist or to place an order, please call 0121 359 3343 or email sales@marksmanpellets.com
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