Low Moor Bradford (Yorkshire) was founded in 1788, the controlling partners being Richard Hird, Joseph Dawson and John Hardy whose descendants remained in control until 1919. The first castings were made in 1791 and from this date until the end of the Napoleonic War, many iron guns were supplied to the Board of Ordnance by the Company. Some of their guns were marked with the letter L. During the Crimean War gun production was resumed but was permanently abandoned after the end of the Indian Mutiny. The Company became a member of the Osborn Group of Companies in 1954.