One of the oldest gun shops in Lancashire, Bamfords is a traditional family business with a modern and forward thinking outlook.
A fourth generation family business, we pride ourselves on our friendly and personal service, and on offering a wide selection of shotguns, airguns, shooting accessories and countrywear that is unparalleled anywhere else in the North West of England.
1920
A WWI veteran, Ralph Bamford started his business in 1920, repairing bicycles for the villagers of Eccleston from a wooden cabin that stood on the same site as the shop building stands today.
This photograph was taken towards the end of the 1920’s and shows Ralph and his daughter Alice standing in front of the original cabin.
1940’s
Ralph’s daughter Alice married local farmer Alan Jones, who traded shotguns in his spare time. He and Alice became involved in the running of the business and introduced shotguns and shooting accessories.
1960’s to 1980’s
Alan and Alice’s son Lawrence, who had been a very keen shot from the age of 11, joined the business on leaving school. Alan and Alice hit the country show circuit and represented Bamfords at all the biggest game fairs and country shows across the UK in their mobile show unit.
This photograph was taken at Badminton Horse Trials in the 1970’s, and shows the Bamford Guns stand just at the side of the main arena. Lawrence ran the business back at home, and grew the range of shotguns and shooting accessories.
2015 to Present
The shop underwent a comprehensive extension and re-fit in 2015, nearly tripling the size of the floorspace and creating an all-new gun room. Lawrence’s daughter and son-in-law have introduced an impressive collection of shooting apparel and footwear from all the leading countrywear brands, which along with 500 new and secondhand guns and a vast array of shooting accessories, makes Bamfords the ultimate destination store for the shooting enthusiast.