Brady Bags - Since 1887

Brady brothers John and Albert started their company in Birmingham in 1887 making leather gun cases. Over the years their range expanded to include fishing and game bags and Brady became world renowned as makers of the finest quality sporting leather goods.

We are proud to maintain the traditions, values ​​and standards established more than a century ago. Brady bags continue to be hand-made in Walsall, from best quality canvas, brass components and English bridle leather. Many styles first introduced in the 30s and 40s are still made to original patterns and remains some of the most popular Brady styles.

1870-1930

Brady Brothers was founded by John and Albert Brady in Price Street in Birmingham, England in the 1870s. They made leather goods for use in field sports, including high-quality gun cases. John's son Ernest and Albert's son, Leonard both joined Brady Brothers later and in 1928 Ernest took over the business.

The business prospered under Ernest's direction and in the 1930's Ernest and Leonard moved to larger premises in Shadwell Street in the heart of Birmingham's gun quarter. It was there Ernest first designed and personally made a range of fishing bags all named after English rivers.

These bags were to become the mainstay of the company and the source of its prosperity and fame in future years. Hand-made Brady gun cases were also greatly prized throughout the world. Oak and leather cases were made for movie and theatrical celebrities and royalty, including the Sultan of Oman and the Duke of Westminster.

Leonard left Brady Brothers and moved to Hollywood. He was a fine craftsman and set up in business making props for films. Below are two photographs from the Brady archive showing Leonard with two props he made for famous actors. The inscription underneath is from the writing on the reverse of each picture.

Brady Brothers was founded by brothers John and Albert Brady on Price Street in Birmingham, England.
The company produced high-quality gun cases and leather goods used in field sports, and John's son Ernest and Albert's son Leonard later joined Brady Brothers, with Ernest taking over in 1928.

Under Ernest's direction, business flourished and in the 1930s Ernest and Leonard moved the company to Shadwell Street, the heart of Birmingham's gun trade.
It was here that Ernest first developed a series of fishing bags named after British rivers.

Fishing bags became the company's main product and brought it prosperity and fame.
Handmade gun cases are also prized around the world, with oak and leather cases created for royalty and celebrities such as actors, the Sultan of Oman, and the Duke of Westminster.

Meanwhile, Leonard left the Brady Brothers and moved to Hollywood.
He was a skilled craftsman and started a business making movie props.
Two photographs from the Brady Archives feature Leonard himself and a caption on the back identifying the props he created for famous actors.

1940-1980

During the war Ernest was forced to move the business into his house, with the help of one stitcher and one part-time machinist. The house was bombed during the war and so was Birmingham. The city ​​was going to have to be reconstructed and Shadwell Street was to be demolished, so Ernest decided to start up in business again by moving in 1946 to Halesowen, a small town in the industrial Black Country. It was vital at this time that new outlets be found to rebuild the business.

Ernest built a caravan and took his family to London for a month. Every day Ernest went into central London with a large wheeled truck he had constructed, loaded with samples of all the things that Brady Brothers made. He called at all the big stores and as many small fishing and gun makers shops he could find, showing them his goods and taking many orders. This saved the business and caused not a little amusement and was often referred to by Brady customers over the years.

Brady Bags had a reputation for quality and longevity – Ernest's daughter Helen remembered, " As a girl I went into work one day in the 1950's and found the hallway full of what looked like a lot of broken-down cases and in some blood-stained game and fishing bags. Thinking they were all rubbish and that I should be deputed to put them in the dustbin, I luckily made some enquiries about the matter first. I discovered that they belonged to the Duke of Westminster and his son, who had just inherited them and Brady were to repair them and suitably initial each item.”

During World War II, Ernest was forced to operate from home with only three people: a seamstress and a part-time machinist.
During the war, both the city (Birmingham) and his home were bombed, and Shadwell Street was demolished as the city was rebuilt, so Ernest moved to Halezowen, a small town in the industrial Black Country, and reopened his business in 1946. To rebuild his business, it was essential to find new sales outlets.

Ernest put together a caravan and took his family to London for a month.
Brady loaded up his large wheeled cart with all the samples he had made and commuted daily to central London, visiting every large shop and small tackle and gun manufacturer he could, showing them his samples and securing many orders, which saved his business, brought him no small amount of entertainment, and became a legendary item among Brady's customers for many years.

The Brady Bugs brand became known for its quality and durability, and the company continued to grow.

According to Ernest's daughter Helen:
"One day, when I first started working in the 1950s, I found a hallway full of broken cases and hunting and fishing bags stained with the blood of their prey.
"I thought I should give instructions to dispose of this all as waste, but just to be sure I checked the bag and found that it had in fact belonged to the Duke of Westminster and had been passed down to his son."

1990 to Present Day

After Ernest died in the 1980's his daughter Helen and his brother Philip ran the company until 1993.
Brady's manufacturing operations was moved from Halesowen using the skills synonymous with the leather industry based in Walsall. The new management introduced new bags into the range and found that the quality values ​​of Brady bags appealed to a much wider audience.

Every Brady bag is made by hand in our factory in Walsall, England. We start by selecting the best materials; Drill Canvas from Italy, Harris Tweed from Scotland or Milled Cruiser leather from England. We add buckles, pression studs and slides made from solid brass. Shoulder straps and handles are made from military grade cotton webbing. Our fishing bags liners are made from natural rubber backed with cotton.

Even with the best materials there are no short cuts to making a Brady Bag. It takes separate processes - and years to learn how to do them. The men and women that make Brady bags have learnt their skills over time - we have 627 years of experience between us and all that knowledge goes into making every bag. The result is rugged and individual, and with a little care it will last you a lifetime.

After Ernest's death in the 1980s, his daughter Helen and Ernest's brother Philip ran the company until 1993. Brady's production moved from Halesowen to Walsall, a town synonymous with the leather industry, and under this new structure new products could be introduced more widely, allowing a wider range of customers to appreciate the true value of Brady's quality.

All Bredy bags are handcrafted in our factory in Walsall, England.
Drill Canvas in Italy, Harris in Scotland It starts with selecting the finest materials, like tweed and Milled Cruiser leather from England, then adding brass buckles, studs and zippers.
Shoulder straps and handles are made from military-grade cotton cord, and some fishing bag liners are made from cotton with natural rubber attached.

However, it takes more than just the finest materials to make a Brady Bag.

It takes seven steps and many years of training, and Brady Bags' craftsmen continue to hone their skills every day.
We also have 627 years of experience and knowledge in bag making (the number of years of service of all our employees), which means that Brady bags are durable, unique, and one-of-a-kind bags that can be used for a lifetime with just a little care.