Tipping and Lawden was one of the four "Old Contractors" in Birmingham - along with Hollis and Sheath, Swinburn and Son, and Thomas Turner - and had been a important supplier for the British Government. I did find some mention of them setting up (Assembling) the P-51 rifled musket in the mid 1850's - and then of course the P-53 for the British military in the 1860's and for export sales during the Civil War.

Hope this helps - Gene