John Grey & Son

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John Grey & Sons was a trade name and not a person or persons. The founding company was established in 1832 in Westminster as a manufacturer of watches and steel pens. Somewhere along the way they became a wholesaler of a wide range of musical instruments. This part of the business was eventually sold to Barnett Samuel. Barnett Samuel & Sons Ltd. was incorporated in 1901. By 1911 a subsidiary company “John Grey & Sons” had formed and used that name as a trademark on its instruments.

John Grey & Sons were manufacturers of a small number of instruments and were mostly known for their banjos, guitars, and drums. Most of the instruments bearing this mark were manufactured by other companies.

This bagpipe is stamped “John Grey & Sons – London” in several places. From the profiles and other details, it appears to have been a product of the Henry Starck company of London.