Raimey, I've a database of about 660 Reilly's from 1828 to 1912. The only two extant hammer gun shotguns with stalking safeties are the ones pictured. It's interesting though that one was a 4 bore (or a 6 bore proofed as "7" and rechambered for 4 bore paper cartridges) - George L's gun.
So based on a limited survey I'd hazard that perhaps you could get stalking safeties on a Reilly big Bore shotgun - 10 ga to 4 ga - in the 1860-70's. He also put pistol grips on several of those big bore shotguns, something he never used normally on shotguns.
The question is, "Why?" Well, I don't think you'd want a 4 bore to go off unexpectedly. It might sink your boat or emasculate you. I'll defer to the experts but 2 of the 4 known Reilly 4 bore shotguns from this period had the safeties.
Last edited by Argo44; 08/03/23 10:56 PM.
