As one of Britain’s main rule making cities, Birmingham had its fair share of such companies in the 19th century. Estimated to have been close to 100 specialists in 1850, this was a prominent trade for England’s second city. Out of all such concerns, John Rabone & Sons were at the forefront of rule making within the city.
The Rabone name came to prominence in the late 18th century, with John’s father Michael, who had entered into partnership with another Birmingham manufacturer, Joseph Hassall. Before the dawn of the 19th century, John Rabone joined to continue his father’s work, with his own son John Jr. forming a new partnership under the John Rabone & Sons name. Lasting through to the early 1960s as an independent family business, the company merged with James Chesterman and Co of Sheffield.