Gun-factories, ROYAL, form one branch of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, the other two being the Royal Laboratory and Royal Carriage Department; see WOOLWICH. The process now adopted in manufacturing guns is explained under CANNON. The Elswick foundry was for some time recognised as an auxiliary and supplement to Woolwich Arsenal, the guns being turned out at a contract price, payable after rigid inspection. The close connection between them ceased in 1863, but many orders are still executed for government by the Elswick firm.
Gun-factories,
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 5: Friday to Humanitarians, p. 469
Source scan(s): p. 0484