AMMO & Co Ltd

General information

Welcome backstage — our backstage to the most exciting theatre of spectacular traditional ceremonial of the
British Army. Among the events still enacted are The Queen’s Birthday Parade, The Edinburgh Tattoo, Beating
Retreat by the Massed Bands and Drums of HM Royal Marines, Trooping the Colour, Ceremony of the Keys at
the Tower of London, Firing of the Royal Salute by The King’s Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery, the Guard of
Honour of The Queen’s Colour Squadron of The Royal Air Force and the list goes on and on. Our equipment
is worn or carried on all these occasions.
It all started over 150 years ago here in Birmingham, in 1850 to be precise. Frederick Narborough recognised
a niche business when he saw one and seized the opportunity to set up a small workshop to specialise in
the manufacture of hand crafted sterling silver mounted walking canes for the gentry. The cane was Malacca
or hand turned ebony. The sterling silver mounts were made by silversmiths in a variety of bespoke patterns
according to the wishes of the client. A range of patterns for immediate sale was also provided for the
“gentleman in a hurry”. The business grew and started to expand its product range into riding and hunting
whips, many mounted in precious metals as well as hand carved ivory or hardwood heads. Over the years the
cane business expanded into ceremonial equipment for the military and police forces of the world.
The company remained in the ownership of the Narborough family and in 1925 a Mr S.C. Dalman, a Narborough
nephew joined the company. In 1962 S.C. Dalman succeeded in being appointed Managing Director when the
company changed its name to Dalman & Narborough. His son, John P. Dalman joined the company who in
turn, became managing director in 1971. His son, Stephen J. Dalman became his successor in 1993.
The company was registered as silversmiths at the Birmingham Assaye Office in 1859. British hallmarked
silver is an international seal of quality. Dalman & Narborough is renowned for the production of ceremonial
drum major’s staffs for military and civilian use to this day. Sterling silver drum major’s staffs are still being
manufactured. Many of whom have been created for HM Royal Marines, the United States Marines Corps
(President’s Own) and many other military formations both in the United Kingdom and world-wide.
The company also became specialists in the production of Scottish ceremonial regalia, including bonnet
badges, plaid brooches, doublet buttons and badges, waist and cross belts for broadswords, together with
dirks and sgian dhubs. Highly decorative sterling silver bagpipes mounts became a speciality and are still in
demand from the finest bagpipe makers in Scotland. The company has its own in-house silversmiths, spinners,
turners, casters, platers, enamellists and polishers.
From 1990 Dalman & Narborough expanded its operation with a number of acquisitions which complemented
its manufactured product area but also introduced a wider range taking the company into a far greater area of
activity. During this time, Tom, son of Stephen Dalman had rejoined the company following a period of studies
in the United States of America. He was responsible for driving the new acquisitions into a cohesive force
with the formation of a new holding company, All Arms Marketing & Manufacturing Organisation. In typical
military fashion, an acronym was thrust upon us, AMMO - not one of our choice, but we had been accepted,
a compliment indeed.
New managers built new teams and the company continues to grow. From the traditional metal crafts of its
Birmingham foundation, additional crafts and skills embrace hand embroidery in gold and silver bullion and
coloured silks, hand emblazoning of regimental drums in 22 carat gold leaf and finest oils, all varnished to
coach finish. Ceremonial uniforms with their relevant regalia accessories complete the wardrobe which, with all
the “props”, serves to complete the setting for pure theatre for which British military ceremonial is renowned.
The aim however remains the same: quality, reliability and the ability and drive to give “Service to Service” and
maintain the old standards and traditions of its past.