BSA
21 entries
British industrial combine that began as a gun factory in 1861 and later built bicycles, motorcycles and cars.
- Founded
- June 1861, in Birmingham
- First motorcycle
- 1905
- Bicycles
- From 1880
- Rescued
- Government-organised takeover of remaining operations in 1973
BSA began in June 1861 in the Gun Quarter of Birmingham, formed by fourteen gunsmiths to manufacture guns by machinery. It branched out into bicycle manufacture in 1880 and built its first experimental motorcycle in 1905.
The company became a major British combine covering firearms, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses and machine tools. After the Second World War it did not manage its business well, and a government-organised rescue operation in 1973 led to the takeover of its remaining operations.
- 1861Birmingham Small Arms Company formed
- 1880Bicycle manufacture begins
- 1905First experimental motorcycle
- 1919BSA Cycles Ltd set up
- 1973Remaining operations taken over after a government rescue
