Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
The history of Joseph Jennens & Co. can be traced back to the button and military ornament maker, Charles Jennens, who was noted as being in business at 316, Oxford Street, London in 1807. During the course of the ninteenth century they were styled in a variety of titles, but always featuring the name Jennens.
They entered a mark at the London Assay Office as Jennens & Co., 134, Regent Street, London in 1840, the mark being entered by Thomas Jennens. By 1844 they were trading from 56, Conduit Street and were holders of a Royal Warrant.
They produced much of their work from the Deritend Button Works, 2, Bridge Row, High Street, Deritend, Birmingham, and it was at the Birmingham Assay Office that a vast majority of their wares was marked.
The first marks were entered at the BAO was on the 12th December 1827 from the Deritend address. The name of the business being entered as Joseph Jennens & Co. Further marks were entered at the BAO in 1837, 1882, 1884 and 1885.
Jennens & Co. were entrants at the Great Exhibition in 1851 with 'Specimens of military officers' cap-plates, breast-plates, and buttons; and naval, fancy, and livery buttons'.
They became a limited liabilty company in c.1914.
The exsistance of Jennens & Co. Ltd ended in 1924 when they were wound up by the compulsory liquidation of the Firm, upon a petition made by Firmin & Sons, one of their creditors, who were also in the same line of business. Jennens & Co.Ltd. was purchased by the badge manufacturers, J R Gaunt & Son, from the Official Receiver, for the sum £4,500. J R Gaunt & Son (John Richard Gaunt and his son, Charles Frederick Gaunt), who were founded c.1884, purchased this business along with several others in the same line, including, Bent & Parker and Twigg & Co.. J R Gaunt & Son continued to mark their products 'J R Gaunt & Son, late Jennens' for many years, such was the reputation of Jennens.
An officer's belt with silver embellishments hallmarked at Birmingham in 1896 and 1897. The size of the belt is 37" (94cm) in length and 2 1/4" (5.5cm) in width. The trefoil makers marks is that of Joseph Jennens & Co. It was entered at Birmingham on the 7th December 1885.
For anyone wondering what the two chained dart-like objects on the crossbelt are.
According to the BBC "Going for a Song" program these were for clearing the touchholes of cavalrymen's pistols. The chain was to prevent them being lost in the heat of action.
However another source states "the original purpose of the silver "Prickers" was a functional and vital one. Only Light Cavalry regiments have them and they were used to disable the enemy guns once the enemy position was over run. Cavalry Officers wore them because they had to decide if it was tactically necessary to disable the guns they had captured. If it was, then a pricker would be jammed into the fuse hole of the cannon, hammered in, and then the top would be broken off the pricker. Therefore rendering the gun inoperable for the duration of the battle and until the "plug" could be taken out. The pricker plate is still worn by Cavalry Officers today as a visible sign of rank and as a reminder of its role in Cavalry history. "
MESSRS. JENNENS & CO., LTD.,
56, CONDUIT STREET, LONDON, W. and at BIRMINGHAM.
Among the specialised industries in which London has long enjoyed distinction, the manufacture of Army accoutrements is noteworthy. It is natural, no doubt, that the metropolis, as the seat of military and naval administration, should have taken the lead in this trade ; but the high standard of production maintained has also been a great factor in securing that lead, and has created business interests so extensive that London manufacturers of the class of goods referred to have important connections in the most distant markets, as well as at home. Messrs Jennens & Co., Ltd., of Conduit Street, command particular notice as one of the oldest and foremost firms specialising in metal work as applied to the details of Army and Navy uniforms and equipments, their name being associated with work of the highest order in the manufacture of metal helmets and of all kinds of metal badges, buttons, etc., for military purposes. The history of this representative house covers a period of more than a century and a half, and it is of interest to note that the business has been uninterruptedly continued by the same family since its inception, the present directors being descendants of Mr. Charles Jeimens, who founded it in 1760. On May 16th, 1912, the firm became incorporated as a limited company, with a Board consisting of Mr. William Jennens, Mr. Lionel K. Jennens, and Mr. Keith Jennens, under whose personal direction all matters of management and working routine receive the same careful and experienced attention as heretofore. Facilities of production upon an extensive scale have been rendered necessary by the continuous growth of the business during so many years, and this requirement is met by the company's factory at Birmingham, where, as will be readily understood, metal-working operations such as Messrs. Jennens & Co., Ltd., are engaged in can be conducted under the most favourable conditions. Besides metal helmets of all the regulation patterns for the military service, this firm's manufactures include the following : cavalry pouches, belt ornaments, helmet fittings, pugri badges, cap badges, collar badges, shoulder titles, shoulder chains, whistles, bridle bosses, bridle buckles, menu stands, programme desks, and all descriptions of metal buttons. The range of work turned out in the button department is remarkable, embracing not only all military and naval requirements in this line, but also those of the diplomatic and consular services, together with buttons for Court dress, hunting, yachting and golfing attire. Highland costume, Liveries, and fancy dress. It is a proof of the fine organisation of the business that any badge worn in the British Army since 1799 can be reproduced by the firm, even though the client asking for the same cannot furnish an original pattern. Throughout the United Kingdom, Messrs. Jennens & Co.'s connections are of old standing, while their oversea relations have steadily increased in importance, and are particularly well established in India, Australia, South Africa and America. They are Army and Navy Contractors; and they hold the Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty the King, having also been similarly honoured by the Prince Regent, the Duke of Kent, Queen Victoria, and King Edward VII. Telephone : Mayfair 36. Telegrams : " Milorman, Reg, London."
In the compulsory liquidation of Jennens and Co (Ltd.) manufacturers of military ornaments and buttons of Birmingham and London the Official Receiver observes in the report now issued to the creditors and shareholders that the managing director attributes the company's failure to falling off of its trade after the end of the war, to the unexpected delay in restoring full dress uniform to the Army, and to the non-adaptability of its plant for other manufacturers. Large profits were made during the war, and in 1915 and 1916 a dividend of 50 per cent was paid on the Ordinary shares. In 1917 the dividend was 20 per cent. After the war, however, heavy losses were incurred: these amounted to £18,485 in the years 1919-23 inclusive. The statement of the company's affairs estimated net assets £1,331. After discharging loans on debenture bonds, £6,000 and paying a preferential creditor for £80 a total deficiency of £15,371 is disclosed with regard to the shareholders. The Official Receiver remarks that he is inclined to the opinion that but for the payment off by the company of £6,000 first debentures and the declaration of unduly large dividends during the period of abnormal prosperity the company's business might have been preserved. The liquidation remains in the hands of the Official Receiver.
Pursuant to an Act of Parliament made and passed in the 22nd and 23rd years of the reign of Her present Majesty, cap. 35, intituled " An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees."
Notice is hereby given, that all creditors and persons having any claims or demands upon or against the estate of Joseph William Jennens, formerly of Deritend, in the borough of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, and of Norfolk-road, Edgbaston, in the same county, Military Ornament Manufacturer, deceased (who died on or about the 4th day of March, 1881, and whose will was proved by Jane Jennens, Widow of the deceased, William Udal, of Bromsgrove-street, Birmingham, Merchant, and Alfred Neve Cresswell, of No. 2, York-road, Edgbaston aforesaid, Metal Broker, the executors therein named, on the 31st day of May, 1882, in the Birmingham District Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice), are hereby required to send in the particulars of their claims or demands to the said William Udal and Alfred Neve Cresswell, or to the undersigned, their Solicitors, on or before the 1st day of November next; and notice is hereby also given, that after that day the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims or demands of which the said executors shall then have had notice; and that they will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person of whose debt or claim they shall not then have had notice.—Dated this 29th day of September, 1882.
BEALE, MARIGOLD, and CO., 3, Newhall-street, Birmingham, Solicitors for the said Executor.
Pursuant to an Act of Parliament made and passed in the 22nd and 23rd years of the reign of Her present Majesty, cap. 35, intituled " An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees."
Notice is hereby given, that all creditors and persons having any claims or demands upon or against the estate of Mrs. Jane Jennens, late of Norfolk-road, Edgbaston, in the county of Warwick, Widow, deceased (who died on or about the 26th day of February, 1882, and whose will was proved by James Marigold, of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, Gentleman, Joseph Jennens, of 56, Conduit-street, London. Manufacturer, and William Jennens, of Deritend Bridge, Birmingham aforesaid, Manufacturer, the executors therein named, on the 19th day of June, 1882, in the Birmingham Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice), are hereby required to send in the particulars of their claims or demands to the said James Marigold, Joseph Jennens, and William Jennens, or to the undersigned, their Solicitors, on or before the 1st day of November next; and notice is hereby also given, that after that day the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which the said executors shall then have had notice; and that they will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person of whose debt or claim they shall not then have had notice.—Dated this 29th day of September, 1882.
BEALE, MARIGOLD, and CO., 3,Newhall-street, Birmingham, Solicitors for the said Executors.
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between the undersigned, William Udal, John Brearly Payn, Joseph Jennens, and Alfred Neve Cresswell, carrying on business at Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, as Cut Nail Manufacturers, under the style or firm of the Birmingham Cut Nail Company, is this day dissolved, so far as regards the said Alfred Neve Cresswell. The said business will in future be carried on by the continuing partners.—Dated this 15th day of December, 1866.
William Udal. Joseph Jennens.
John B. Payn. Alfred Neve Cresswell.
Pursuant to the Act of Parliament of the 22nd and 23rd Victoria, chapter 35, intituled " An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees."
Notice is hereby given, that all persons having claims or demands upon or against the estate of John Brearley Payn, late of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, and of Grove House, Handsworth, in the county of Stafford, Maltster (who died on the 14th day of January, 1868, and whose will was proved in the Principal Registry of Her Majesty's Court of Probate, on the 3rd day of March, 1868, by Joseph Barrows the younger, Joseph Jennens, and Lawson William Bourne, the executors named in the said will), are hereby required, on or before the 14th day of July next, to send particulars, in writing, of their respective claims against the said estate to us the undersigned, the Solicitors to the executors, at our offices, 5, Union-street, Birmingham; after which day the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which they shall then have had notice; and that they will not after that time be liable for any part of the assets so distributed to any person of whose claim or demand they shall not then have had notice.—Dated the 3rd day of June, 1872.
ALLCOCK and MILWARD, Solicitors. 5, Union-street, Birmingham.
