[William Ford, Birmingham gun maker.] Manuscript letter from the firm to F. Gardner, giving the cost of improving the shooting of his 'little .410'. On letterhead with much text as advertisement.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear to extremities. Addressed to 'F. Gardner Esq | Little Coggeshall | Essex'. The letter is signed 'Wm Ford | Per Pro' and reads: 'Dear Sir | In reply to your kind enquiry the cost to improve the shooting of your little .410 would be about 10/- if a double gun as near as I can tell without seeing it. | Trusting to be favoured with your kind command'. The letterhead contains a mass of text at the head and filling the left-hand margin. The firm boasts that it is 'Borer & Maker of all the Trial Guns for Kynoch's Perfect Cases', and that it is 'Borer of Winning Guns at the Great London Trials of 1875 and 1879. Beating 102 Guns by all the Best Makers of Great Britain and Ireland.' The margin includes advertisements for 'Ford's Patent Adjustable Try Gun' (16 lines in small print) and 'Ford's Private Shooting Grounds' (20 lines). AAlso advertised are 'Shooting Spectacles' ('W. F. has moveable Frames and Lenses to suit almost any eyesight.').