In 1979 I corresponded with D.W.Bailey [Co,author of the book "English Gunmakers" and various books on Manton/ Forsythe] regarding makers not included in the first edition of the book which covers makers upto 1870. In particular I was refering to the 1787 founding date claimed by K.D.Radcliffe, and why was it not included in the book? Mr Bailey gave the opinion that the founding date was likely the date of a company acquired by Radcliffe and as such Radcliffe was not eligible for inclusion.Based in your observations, it would appear that there is a strong possibility that the Bailes/Bales founding date is the year claimed by Radcliffe!
P.S. Mr Bailey was in 1979 working on a second edition of the book English Gunmakers, covering the period 1871-1914. Dose anyone know if this book was ever published?
