Those plates do look similar to the ones Hellis used.
Cogswell & Harrison, makers of quite a few sideplated boxlocks, referred to them as "ornamental strengthening plates". Interesting terminology.
It's a crappy pic but I swear that could be a Hellis, did he supply to the trade?
Just finished up restoring a Hellis that was the Spit of that gun, i similarly have an Armstrong and co which is technically and visually exceptionally similar side plates and all.
Website seems to be down but i researched hellis a bit and he definately did supply the trade - Except taken from the google listing but unfortunately the website may have disappeared which is a shame as they had a surprising amount of history on there.
Some of the Sales records of hellis are still in existence here in the UK. - however you wont glean anything from them other than the original purchaser and purchase price.
"G & S Holloway, S Wright & Sons, Harrison Brothers and Bentley & Playfair were ... of Norwich and Linsley of Leeds being two of their better-known customers."
James.
I had a Bently and plairfair built to this pattern as well.
Jack Rowe, the late Birmingham trained gunmaker would tell you in a heart beat (and he was correct) that London gunmakers, such as Hellis did not make any boxlock shotguns. English boxlock shotguns were made in Birmingham by the gun trade. As a matter of fact I have in my possession copies of orders from Charles Hellis & Co. to Arthur Howell & Co., a Birmingham gunmaker in Weaman Street (late 1938) for 40 boxlock shotguns. (see page 55 of Winter 2005 issue of Double Gun Journal)
Hellis did not supply the trade, he bought from the trade.
