Kynoch

Kynoch was a manufacturer of ammunition, later incorporated into ICI but remaining as a brand name for sporting cartridges.

History

Kynoch was established in Witton in Birmingham in 1862 by Scottish entrepreneur George Kynoch when he opened a percussion cap factory in Witton. [cite book|title=Blue Book of Airguns |author=Robert D. Beeman |coauthors=John B. Allen |pages=295 |publisher=Blue Book Publications |year=2005 |isbn=1886768560] After the First World War many of the UK ammunition and explosives manufacturers were brought together under Nobel Explosives to become Nobel Industries, which was a founding element of Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (ICI) in 1926. Once Nobel Industries, including Kynoch Ltd, had merged to form ICI, the original Kynoch factory in Witton became the head office and principal manufacturing base of the 'ICI Metals Division'. Kynoch along with names such as Eley became brands of subsidiaries.

With the standardization of cartridges across the Western powers and a general downturn in ammunition requirements, the sidelines in sporting cartridges were discontinued by Imperial Metal Industries (IMI) in 1970. IMI became independent of ICI in 1977 still producing rimfire and shotgun cartridges for the sporting markets. The more economically viable production of shotgun and rimfire ammunition continued. The Ammunition Division was incorporated separately as Eley Limited in 1983. Kynoch also produced motorcycles.

A British company has licensed the Kynoch name to produce the older range of ammunition with modern materials.

References

ee also

*Eley Brothers
*Kynoch Capex
*John Rigby & Company
*Corringham Light Railway

External links

* [http://www.kynochammunition.co.uk/ Kynamco]
* [http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/KOtherInformationKynoch.htm A History of Kynoch Works]